Finally....
School is over and all of my finals are complete. I have no more stress and I can get a good nights rest. The entire school year, I have been stressed out. Between home school, tech, homework for both schools, and finding time to spend with the people I love has really took it's toll on me. I'm happy that it's summer. I can finally sleep in a nd be able to complete a book without reading 2 books at once. I am ready for a relaxing summer and for the peace and quiet that comes alone with it. If you have ever been to high school, you know what I am talking about. Sure there are plenty of people-- Jess, Jenn, Jana, and Brandon-- who are more involved than me. And I'm pretty sure that they are busier than me too, but I can't believe what I was able to accomplish this year. Now I have 2 and a half amazing months to look forward to.
Then...
Back to school for another year that will probably be harder than this one.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Stressed
I have 7 projects due this month. I have 3 for english, 2 for chemistry, 1 for history, and 1 for tech. Why do teachers give us so much if they know we barely have time to do it. We have other classes besides theirs. We also have family and friends that we want to see for more than 10 minutes a day. Most people also work for a living. We don't have time to be doing all this work. When will they realize that?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friends and Horror
I am so tired of people hating each other because they think that everyone is being fake. It's so annoying. My one friend is going through a hard time and people are saying that she's doing drugs and stuff. She's distant from people because she doesn't want them to know how crappy she feels. People should just mind their own business if they don't know the whole story. We should be able to act the way we feel and feel comfortable with the people we surround ourselves with. One song comes to mind about how my friend is feeling and it is I Am by Christina Aguilera. This song is about feeling good about yourself and letting your guard down. She is now starting to fight back with the lies that are being spread around the school because I made her listen to another song. Fighter by Christina Aguilera empowered her to take back control of her life and she is doing exactly that.
Monday, March 7, 2011
My New Favorite Song
Well, this song has been stuck in my head for a while now. Everytime I hear it, it really makes me think. What do you think about when you hear it????? Bound To You by Christina Aguilera.
Lyrics:
Lyrics:
"Bound To You"
Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I’ve opened up, unsure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, free us
Free me, free us
You’re all I need when I’m holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to know for the first time
Can you see that I’m bound in chains?
I’ve finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to you
So much, so young, I’ve faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I’m strong and I’m sure there’s a fire in us
Sweet love, so pure
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I embrace myself, please don’t tear this apart
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can’t you see that I’m bound in chains?
I’ve finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to
Suddenly the moment’s here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all? Come this far just to fall?
Fall
I can trust and boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I’m bound in chains?
And finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am, ooh I am
I’m bound to you
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Euthanasia
Well, this is my sophomore research paper. Let me know what you think!!
“From this universal desire to live, we have strong arguments against euthanasia and all of the things related to it (Betzold 3).” Euthanasia is a very controversial subject, especially in the medical world. Most people are against it, but some are not. There are many reasonable arguments that are debated each year on whether or not euthanasia should be accepted in the world. Although there are a few cases in which euthanasia is a reasonable option, it should not be practiced unless there is an extreme case.
The law plays a major part in euthanasia. Doctors in Pennsylvania, who euthanize their patients, are charged with murder (Kirkland, par. 4). In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to help a patient die. Euthanization is illegal because people and the law consider it inhumane and murder. The doctors would be charged with third degree murder and most likely not get parole (Betzold 46).
Although euthanization is illegal in most states, it is completely legal in Oregon. There are so many patients that want to die because of all the pain they are in. The governor of Oregon wanted them to feel safe when they died, so he created the Oregon Death with Dignity Act (Doobay et. al. 160). There are many steps that the patient must take in order to euthanize him or herself. The patient must be an adult, which is eighteen years of age or older; a resident of the state of Oregon, deemed capable to make and communicate health decisions, and have a diagnosis that is expected to kill him or herself in less than six to seven months (Doobay et. al. 161). These guidelines were established by a psychologist who studies the terminal patient’s mindset (Doobay et. al. 161). Most patients are clear headed and logical, but some are deemed too emotional to make the decision. These few patients are most likely depressed and are unable to make the decision because they are not able to think objectively. They are truly depressed and want to die. For these patients, an attorney is appointed to make the medical decisions (Doobay et. al. 161).
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act also states that the patient has to make two oral requests, with two witnesses, that is separated by fifteen days in order to get euthanized (Doobay et. al. 162). This allows the patient to change their mind if they want to live. All of these guidelines were made to protect the doctors and their medical practice, along with their livelihood. No doctor wants to risk his or her career and go to jail. This act protects the doctor along with the patient’s personal and legal rights. However, this act has a flaw. It allows people to kill people. If a child saw an adult kill another adult, the child is fifteen percent more likely to kill someone (Wilson 68). Extreme cases, which result in a patient dying within four months, should have euthanization as an option. This is a justified, but not every patients needs to be euthanized.
The only doctor to ever be committed for euthanizing patients is Dr. Kavorkian (Betzold 71). He was sentenced to forty- five years in prison, without parole, for his crime (Betzold 40). He killed more than forty- three patients during his practice (Betzold 43). The legal system today would be stricter towards Kavorkian. He would have to serve ten to fifteen years for every person that he killed (Doobay et. al. 165). He would also loose his medical license for not following the oath that he took at the beginning of his career.
Ethics also play a major role in euthanasia (Brown, par. 3). Every doctor, including Kavorkian, takes an oath when they first get their medical license. This oath says they will do no harm (Egan, par. 273). Most doctors think euthanizing their patients is the equivalent to murder. This is technically true because they are killing their patients. Along with being the only doctor committed, Kavorkian is also the only doctor to ever admit to euthanizing patients. He admitted to killing thirty- five patients, but a colleague later proved that he killed forty- three patients (Betzold 21). According to Kavorkian, “The patients did not want to be in pain. They insisted that I help them move on painlessly so they can be in peace (Betzold 29)”. He later commented that euthanizing his patients was wrong of him to do (Betzold 271).
Even though ethics play a bigger role in euthanasia, religion is also part of it. Most, if not all, religions say that euthanasia is an act of evil. The Catholic religion is one of the many religions that believe this. Catholics believe it is a sin to euthanize any living thing (Wilson 48). It is not only the Catholic religion that believes euthanasia is a sin. Christians, Jewish people, and Lutherans all believe the same thing. What people believe plays a major part in what is perceived in the world as good or bad (Egan, par. 174). Since most religions see euthanasia as a bad thing, most people perceive it as something bad. This perception is good. It allows euthanizations to stop and for people to live. Having euthanasia seen as something punishable, makes everybody think about whether or not to go through with euthanizing anybody. Peoples’ beliefs are too important to them, so they will not test them.
People are the same way with their morals. They do not want to test them. Everybody grows up and as they get older, they develop morals. A person’s morals help them determine right from wrong and how to become a better person. A person’s morals determine who they are as a person and how they act around other people as well (Wilson 63). Given that everyone grew up believing that it is bad to hurt someone, they try not to do it. A doctor’s moral code is the oath they take. The oath that says they will do no harm. The oath is like a law to every doctor. It is a law that all doctors have to abide by. All a doctor wants is to make sure their patients live. If they euthanize them, then they broke their law and disobeyed their moral code. The morals they live by are their road map to a clean conscience. With euthanizing their patients, they should know that they did something wrong and they should acknowledge it.
However, some doctors believe that as long as they are helping the patient, they are making the right choice. Doctors want their patients to be pain free and happy. If this means euthanizing their patients, then they will. By the doctors wanting their patients happy, they ignore the oath and go by the single moral to make people happy and comfortable. There is a doctor who said, “I will do anything to make my patients comfortable and able to be with loved ones (Wilson 38).” This doctor risks everything for his patients and he probably will continue to do so until he looses his medical license. For this doctor, his moral to help and make people happy outweighs the oath and all legal matter. He is determined to help as many patients as he can in whatever way possible.
Patients should never be euthanized so they can be comfortable. They are people and they matter a great deal. Even if they are terminally ill, they should still live. Patients with terminal illnesses, like Huntington’s disease, should not be able to get euthanized. There could be possible medical breakthroughs that could save the patients life. When a medical breakthrough occurs, the medicine is normally in the top ranked hospitals first. The hospital normally receives the medication within three days and starts administering the breakthrough medication right away. If a patient who was cleared to be euthanized waited for only two or three days after the breakthrough, they could have gotten the life saving treatment. They could have lived because they did not go through with their own euthanization. However, most people don’t wait. They rush to get euthanized so the pain dissipates quicker. These patients die and never get a chance to live past their hospitalization. This is what happens when patients want to rush death so they can skip any real turmoil. When pain is a factor, people, not only patients, will do anything to avoid it (Kirkland, par. 20). Even if dying to avoid pain is the only option, people, as a whole, tend to go towards the option with no pain. This is mainly why euthanasia exists. Patience is what makes a difference in medicine. Patience is what allows people to live.
Even though euthanasia should not be practiced, there are a few cases in which it is a reasonable option. Some patients go through immense pain. With some of these patients, not even morphine relieves the pain. These patients are normally put into a morphine or chemically induced come to try to relieve the pain (Wilson 71). This doesn’t always work though. These patients are still in pain, but can no longer express it. Patients that have this unfortunate luck should be able to have euthanasia as an option. Euthanasia is also acceptable in stage four cancer patients. Cancer has many stages and severities, but stage four cancer patients have absolutely no chance at life (Brown, par. 10). They will most likely die within two to four months and will be in a tremendous amount of pain. Most cancer patients die surrounded by loved ones. This lessens the pain felt by the patient. The family and friends of the patient act as a distraction and the pain is lessened (Egan, par. 273). With family to serve as a distraction, the mind focuses on them instead of the pain. For those who are alone, the pain is magnified and is most likely intolerable (Egan, par. 274). The mind has nothing else to focus on besides the pain. This forces the mind to only think about the pain thus magnifying it. This is what euthanasia is meant to be used for.
Euthanasia should not be practiced, except in an extreme case in which it is a reasonable option. This case should have no possible outcome of life. Everybody has the right to live and should be able to live (Doobay et. al. 164). Euthanasia allows people to end their life because they do not want to suffer. All patients have the right to live, but not all patients have the will to live. For these patients, the doctors and lawyers need to be the patient’s advocate and make sure all other possible options are gone and there is nothing else to possibly be done. Then if there is no other option, should a patient be euthanized?
The End!!
“From this universal desire to live, we have strong arguments against euthanasia and all of the things related to it (Betzold 3).” Euthanasia is a very controversial subject, especially in the medical world. Most people are against it, but some are not. There are many reasonable arguments that are debated each year on whether or not euthanasia should be accepted in the world. Although there are a few cases in which euthanasia is a reasonable option, it should not be practiced unless there is an extreme case.
The law plays a major part in euthanasia. Doctors in Pennsylvania, who euthanize their patients, are charged with murder (Kirkland, par. 4). In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to help a patient die. Euthanization is illegal because people and the law consider it inhumane and murder. The doctors would be charged with third degree murder and most likely not get parole (Betzold 46).
Although euthanization is illegal in most states, it is completely legal in Oregon. There are so many patients that want to die because of all the pain they are in. The governor of Oregon wanted them to feel safe when they died, so he created the Oregon Death with Dignity Act (Doobay et. al. 160). There are many steps that the patient must take in order to euthanize him or herself. The patient must be an adult, which is eighteen years of age or older; a resident of the state of Oregon, deemed capable to make and communicate health decisions, and have a diagnosis that is expected to kill him or herself in less than six to seven months (Doobay et. al. 161). These guidelines were established by a psychologist who studies the terminal patient’s mindset (Doobay et. al. 161). Most patients are clear headed and logical, but some are deemed too emotional to make the decision. These few patients are most likely depressed and are unable to make the decision because they are not able to think objectively. They are truly depressed and want to die. For these patients, an attorney is appointed to make the medical decisions (Doobay et. al. 161).
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act also states that the patient has to make two oral requests, with two witnesses, that is separated by fifteen days in order to get euthanized (Doobay et. al. 162). This allows the patient to change their mind if they want to live. All of these guidelines were made to protect the doctors and their medical practice, along with their livelihood. No doctor wants to risk his or her career and go to jail. This act protects the doctor along with the patient’s personal and legal rights. However, this act has a flaw. It allows people to kill people. If a child saw an adult kill another adult, the child is fifteen percent more likely to kill someone (Wilson 68). Extreme cases, which result in a patient dying within four months, should have euthanization as an option. This is a justified, but not every patients needs to be euthanized.
The only doctor to ever be committed for euthanizing patients is Dr. Kavorkian (Betzold 71). He was sentenced to forty- five years in prison, without parole, for his crime (Betzold 40). He killed more than forty- three patients during his practice (Betzold 43). The legal system today would be stricter towards Kavorkian. He would have to serve ten to fifteen years for every person that he killed (Doobay et. al. 165). He would also loose his medical license for not following the oath that he took at the beginning of his career.
Ethics also play a major role in euthanasia (Brown, par. 3). Every doctor, including Kavorkian, takes an oath when they first get their medical license. This oath says they will do no harm (Egan, par. 273). Most doctors think euthanizing their patients is the equivalent to murder. This is technically true because they are killing their patients. Along with being the only doctor committed, Kavorkian is also the only doctor to ever admit to euthanizing patients. He admitted to killing thirty- five patients, but a colleague later proved that he killed forty- three patients (Betzold 21). According to Kavorkian, “The patients did not want to be in pain. They insisted that I help them move on painlessly so they can be in peace (Betzold 29)”. He later commented that euthanizing his patients was wrong of him to do (Betzold 271).
Even though ethics play a bigger role in euthanasia, religion is also part of it. Most, if not all, religions say that euthanasia is an act of evil. The Catholic religion is one of the many religions that believe this. Catholics believe it is a sin to euthanize any living thing (Wilson 48). It is not only the Catholic religion that believes euthanasia is a sin. Christians, Jewish people, and Lutherans all believe the same thing. What people believe plays a major part in what is perceived in the world as good or bad (Egan, par. 174). Since most religions see euthanasia as a bad thing, most people perceive it as something bad. This perception is good. It allows euthanizations to stop and for people to live. Having euthanasia seen as something punishable, makes everybody think about whether or not to go through with euthanizing anybody. Peoples’ beliefs are too important to them, so they will not test them.
People are the same way with their morals. They do not want to test them. Everybody grows up and as they get older, they develop morals. A person’s morals help them determine right from wrong and how to become a better person. A person’s morals determine who they are as a person and how they act around other people as well (Wilson 63). Given that everyone grew up believing that it is bad to hurt someone, they try not to do it. A doctor’s moral code is the oath they take. The oath that says they will do no harm. The oath is like a law to every doctor. It is a law that all doctors have to abide by. All a doctor wants is to make sure their patients live. If they euthanize them, then they broke their law and disobeyed their moral code. The morals they live by are their road map to a clean conscience. With euthanizing their patients, they should know that they did something wrong and they should acknowledge it.
However, some doctors believe that as long as they are helping the patient, they are making the right choice. Doctors want their patients to be pain free and happy. If this means euthanizing their patients, then they will. By the doctors wanting their patients happy, they ignore the oath and go by the single moral to make people happy and comfortable. There is a doctor who said, “I will do anything to make my patients comfortable and able to be with loved ones (Wilson 38).” This doctor risks everything for his patients and he probably will continue to do so until he looses his medical license. For this doctor, his moral to help and make people happy outweighs the oath and all legal matter. He is determined to help as many patients as he can in whatever way possible.
Patients should never be euthanized so they can be comfortable. They are people and they matter a great deal. Even if they are terminally ill, they should still live. Patients with terminal illnesses, like Huntington’s disease, should not be able to get euthanized. There could be possible medical breakthroughs that could save the patients life. When a medical breakthrough occurs, the medicine is normally in the top ranked hospitals first. The hospital normally receives the medication within three days and starts administering the breakthrough medication right away. If a patient who was cleared to be euthanized waited for only two or three days after the breakthrough, they could have gotten the life saving treatment. They could have lived because they did not go through with their own euthanization. However, most people don’t wait. They rush to get euthanized so the pain dissipates quicker. These patients die and never get a chance to live past their hospitalization. This is what happens when patients want to rush death so they can skip any real turmoil. When pain is a factor, people, not only patients, will do anything to avoid it (Kirkland, par. 20). Even if dying to avoid pain is the only option, people, as a whole, tend to go towards the option with no pain. This is mainly why euthanasia exists. Patience is what makes a difference in medicine. Patience is what allows people to live.
Even though euthanasia should not be practiced, there are a few cases in which it is a reasonable option. Some patients go through immense pain. With some of these patients, not even morphine relieves the pain. These patients are normally put into a morphine or chemically induced come to try to relieve the pain (Wilson 71). This doesn’t always work though. These patients are still in pain, but can no longer express it. Patients that have this unfortunate luck should be able to have euthanasia as an option. Euthanasia is also acceptable in stage four cancer patients. Cancer has many stages and severities, but stage four cancer patients have absolutely no chance at life (Brown, par. 10). They will most likely die within two to four months and will be in a tremendous amount of pain. Most cancer patients die surrounded by loved ones. This lessens the pain felt by the patient. The family and friends of the patient act as a distraction and the pain is lessened (Egan, par. 273). With family to serve as a distraction, the mind focuses on them instead of the pain. For those who are alone, the pain is magnified and is most likely intolerable (Egan, par. 274). The mind has nothing else to focus on besides the pain. This forces the mind to only think about the pain thus magnifying it. This is what euthanasia is meant to be used for.
Euthanasia should not be practiced, except in an extreme case in which it is a reasonable option. This case should have no possible outcome of life. Everybody has the right to live and should be able to live (Doobay et. al. 164). Euthanasia allows people to end their life because they do not want to suffer. All patients have the right to live, but not all patients have the will to live. For these patients, the doctors and lawyers need to be the patient’s advocate and make sure all other possible options are gone and there is nothing else to possibly be done. Then if there is no other option, should a patient be euthanized?
The End!!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Confidence
I just read one of my best friend's blog. She encouraged me to become brave enough to write about all of my thoughts and emotions on this blog. I don't know if I will be able to write in detail, but I'm gonna try. So her I go:
Today, I woke up with a thought. I wanted to run. Run away from all my problems and fears. People who know me think that I'm not afraid of anything, but it's the complete opposite. There is so many things that I'm afraid to do. I've been able to overcome some of my fears because I had support from my friends. I keep thinking that I can do anything as long as somebody else does it with me and so far that's true. I'm afriad of what I won't be able to do without the support of my friends.
What if I can't do this? How can I go through with this? What can I do to help? Who is going to be hurt if I don't do thid? Where am I going to go if I can't pull through? When can I just scream in frustration without having anyone see me? Why can;t I fgure this out?
All these questions pop into my head when I have to do something. I can't find the will power to pull through anything without help. I hate not being able to do things I'm not comfortable doing without some kind of help.
I guess in time, I will be able to do things on my own. Only time will tell.
Today, I woke up with a thought. I wanted to run. Run away from all my problems and fears. People who know me think that I'm not afraid of anything, but it's the complete opposite. There is so many things that I'm afraid to do. I've been able to overcome some of my fears because I had support from my friends. I keep thinking that I can do anything as long as somebody else does it with me and so far that's true. I'm afriad of what I won't be able to do without the support of my friends.
What if I can't do this? How can I go through with this? What can I do to help? Who is going to be hurt if I don't do thid? Where am I going to go if I can't pull through? When can I just scream in frustration without having anyone see me? Why can;t I fgure this out?
All these questions pop into my head when I have to do something. I can't find the will power to pull through anything without help. I hate not being able to do things I'm not comfortable doing without some kind of help.
I guess in time, I will be able to do things on my own. Only time will tell.
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