Sequim woman first known assisted-suicide patient in state

By VANESSA HO
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

A 66-year-old Sequim woman diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer became the first known person to use the state's assisted-suicide law Thursday night, after ingesting a lethal dose of medication with her family, dog, and physician by her bedside, a patient-advocacy group said Friday.

"The pain became unbearable, and it was only going to get worse," said the woman, Linda Fleming, before she died, according to a statement from the group, Compassion & Choices of Washington.

"I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death."

Fleming, who had worked with homeless and mentally ill people, was diagnosed with the advanced cancer roughly a month ago. Soon after, she made her first of three required requests to receive medication under the Death with Dignity Act, said her friend, Virginia Peterhansen.

Fleming made her final request -- a written one witnessed by two people -- on May 15, six days before she died, Peterhansen said. "I know she was not scared about making this choice, but scared about what other people might do," said Peterhansen, explaining that her friend had been worried about people criticizing her.

Passed last November by nearly 60 percent of voters, the law allows doctors to give lethal medication to terminally ill patients they can ingest themselves. Patients receiving the medication must be terminally ill with six months to live or less; mentally competent; at least 18 years old; and a resident of the state. They must make two oral requests 15 days apart, and a written request witnessed by two people.