"Just because a medical procedure is possible, does it thereby become mandatory? Upon whose decision? And based upon what authority?" Freightdawg

I had a bit of a talk with my doctor after I had undergone emergency surgery last month.

My contention was tha:

* just because a procedure was available I did not feel constrained to make use of it.
* I don't feel any particular attachment to a long life. I grant you that when it comes down to the crunch I will fight to stay alive- it is, after all, the nature of all living things. I don't feel that negates my essential belief.
* Above all, I do not want to spend the waning days of my life undergoing surgery after surgery, treatment after treatment, just to prolong my "life". Why should I choose to remain in pain and trauma just in order to extend my life?