tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829014500022950692024-03-05T22:08:20.254+13:00Dave MullanRandom thoughts on Prostate Cancer, Voluntary Euthanasia, Local Shared Ministry, and other miscellaneous interests.Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.comBlogger552125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-37065948368271155312019-12-02T12:00:00.001+13:002019-12-02T12:00:39.732+13:00Family Photo - Diamond Wedding 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI8y0cL65hN6lXADfIeArhOxB89Q6V6Sa6_XndKx-cPdlA7Kd00IPViCJ4mCofzIPGr1ssIn9Fu1Wwp1DFKg4N5_KhNPSzIT2lHFXGqzKo0xgyyg1Rl2_hRI09jbdapeQzRY7hkF9tdmh/s1600/60th+Anniversary+Family+Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="870" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsI8y0cL65hN6lXADfIeArhOxB89Q6V6Sa6_XndKx-cPdlA7Kd00IPViCJ4mCofzIPGr1ssIn9Fu1Wwp1DFKg4N5_KhNPSzIT2lHFXGqzKo0xgyyg1Rl2_hRI09jbdapeQzRY7hkF9tdmh/s320/60th+Anniversary+Family+Photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "google sans" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-11765945638787897682019-11-11T15:29:00.000+13:002019-11-30T18:27:18.286+13:00The Ca Pros Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy8p1pXbZF716aiQreUrC8rrHW1iqQk7VLQbMStyp_Qim24Jy2_BQEVe-Jl_JXkMDp18MQ5WhG5SF2fzP5RCnUuqqkRnJlXXOIhmzDMp61x0NV2nCksjOOZLZn1utc8kGVSet56uBVuFP/s1600/Zoladex+%2526+Ca+Pros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy8p1pXbZF716aiQreUrC8rrHW1iqQk7VLQbMStyp_Qim24Jy2_BQEVe-Jl_JXkMDp18MQ5WhG5SF2fzP5RCnUuqqkRnJlXXOIhmzDMp61x0NV2nCksjOOZLZn1utc8kGVSet56uBVuFP/s200/Zoladex+%2526+Ca+Pros.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Nov 30 - The Last Post</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the assistance of IT guru Christine our daughter, we have been able to get this blog up again. But as far as possible I am assuming that people are moving to more personal forms of communication and I will be letting this go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 3 weeks since my last post have been increasingly difficult, to the point where I am now comfortably situated in the North Harbour Hospice, with Bev and Christine running to and fro for me in 3 - 7 min trips in the car. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have had two of three bad falls for different reasons, and at least here they are keeping me pretty much in bed. Nominally we are talking about a respite visit to stabilise my medications, which seems to be working at last, aside from the ongoing frustratingly frequent spells of vomiting. My weight is now way under 60kg's and I cannot move out of bed without assistance, so we are coming to another bend in the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bev is holding things up at home and is perhaps our best point of contact. bevmullan@gmail.com and can be contacted through the wider family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had an absolutely fantastic family get together for our Diamond Anniversary. We hired a large house where the children & great grandchildren could sleep for a night or two and for Saturday afternoon and evening. For that period we had about 30 people to a meal, conversations, questions, accusations and other such fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The weather was absolutely brilliant, my pain level minimal and every detail was to perfection as planned. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to everyone who made such an effort to get all the family together for the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those who know, my concern about the EOLC bill ... will now know that it got through parliament with a reasonable head count, but is subject to a public referendum Sept next year, so it certainly won't be around to help me, when I need it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greetings, also to those who have followed my other interest in nearly 600 posts. These retirement years have been stimulated by finding topics worthy of attention, and writing on them. I hope I have given some people some things to think about in the areas of my special interests. And I am grateful for the many who have responded to my views, via the more personal approach of email and I still have access if somewhat uncertain on my phone at davemullan@gmail.com.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Compliments of the season to everyone ... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Signing off</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love and kindest regards</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dave Mullan </span><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nov 11</span></b><br />
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Some pretty hard days recently. I now have the distinction of dry retching for several minutes at a time, even in the middle of a meal, without bring anything up. But there's plenty of wet vomiting as well, often for not the slightest discernible reason.<br />
I've had to miss a few special occasions here in the Village lest the sight of the afternoon tea upset my system. And my weight has dropped below 60kg - about the same as when we were married 60 years ago next week.<br />
Had my glasses tightened up ("I need these glasses to be vomit-proofed, please") because they did fall off at unpredictable but critical moments. However, when I tripped over my lazy left toe and spread myself all over the carpet a few days ago, the newly tightened glasses stayed on, cut my face in a couple of places and broke up altogether. At least Specsavers same to the rescue with an identical frame and fitted my lenses into all for only $25. And we got my face and a huge split all over the top of my toe bunged together with glue at the Takapuna Emergency centre for $18. Glue? Really? So the doctor said...<br />
My energy, motivation and concentration are very low and fitness is rapidly deteriorating but at least we have some control over pain levels with less tendency to wake in a saturated bed from an unexpected hot and cold sweat (I hate it when that happens!)...<br />
So, lots of reading and TV and much, much sleep at the drop of a very small hat. Three wee meals a day are keeping me going and I have at last discharged all the responsibilities I had in the Village community. I even got myself together enough for a few hours to take a service at the local church...<br />
All in all, we are pretty much aware that the journey we began some 18 years ago is starting to wind down... And that's OK, It's been a fantastic life and both I and the body are ready to call it quits.<br />
We're having a big family hooley in a couple of weeks for the Diamond Wedding and that will be a kind of goodbye for some of us.<br />
And, yes, the Bill is going to pass in Parliament tomorrow afternoon... Every objection has been voted down 70 - 50 over the last few months and we hope for a similar vote for the main event.<br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oct 8</span></b><br />
Another "good" spell lately, with some semblance of control over nausea and digestion for several days. It seems to be better to take the anti-nausea pill whether I "feel" like I need it or not...<br />
My PSA is rising up towards 800 which probably confirms the increasing amount of pain around the skeleton generally - though most pain has subsided in just the last day or two. Pretty much on top of things today...<br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sep 27</span></b><br />
Not much to add...A couple of relatively "good" weeks followed by a surprising bout of nausea and sickness and more discussions about managing medications and so on.<br />
Pain is beginning to be more of a problem, especially at night when ordinary painkillers cause more disturbance than comfort. It's mostly around the chest area and pretty unpleasant when I breathe, something I haven't quite learned to do without yet. We have some more experimenting to do in that area.<br />
In the daytime the pain is more manageable but going along with it is an awful lot of sleepiness and lack of concentration. Just getting to add something to this blog has been a bit of a challenge for several days now.<br />
But today we've had a bit of an outing to Waiwera Beach where we are planning to have the family celebration of our Diamond Wedding in a few weeks. The tide was in, so the waders, including a solitary NZ Dotterel, were pushed up the beach a bit where we could see them from the car. Rain showers came and went as they seem to have been doing for weeks now and for a moment a rainbow appeared to creep up the beach towards us. Magic.<br />
We note that the fourth debate on the End of Life Choice Bill rolled on the other night, again with the usual speeches from the same people, but without a single one of their amendments being passed. The redoubtable Maggie ("Tea Lady") Barry was not present, having disgraced herself with some negative criticism about a nasty attack she made on Madame Chairperson at the last session. I think the last debate will be at the end of October, unless the opposition think up too many amendments for the lengthy personal votes to be fitted into the time allocated.<br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sep 10</span></b><br />
Another couple weeks of ongoing trouble with vomiting and constipation followed our last bulletin of a little optimism. But both of these problems have been severely reduced after massive changes in medication. Both our own GP and our Hospice nurse have continued to be very helpful in this process as we have struggled to find a workable and effective balance.<br />
No trouble of those kinds for nearly a week now. Every day, we wonder if we have got over it. Every now and then we half expect to begin another bout of vomiting but day by day I seem to be getting back some sense of appetite and taste.<br />
So now we are paying some serious attention to pain issues, with a severe problem building up in my right shoulder and arm. This probably corresponds with major mets seen on my shoulder blade at last scan. Modest painkillers are doing the job so far but probably not for ever.<br />
My last blood tests suggested and liver and kidney functions are all OK; but blood readings are still on the anaemic side but not getting worse.<br />
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Tomorrow Parliament has the third debate on the End of Life Choice Bill. We'll be watching to see if the petty attempts by the opposition to force silly and time-consuming votes has any more effect than it has so far. At last we are beginning to be optimistic that, eventually, a workable bill will find its way into law. Not in time for me, probably, as it is likely to have to go to a referendum in 2020 for confirmation by the electorate. Oh, well, to see it passed in Parliament will be very satisfying.<br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aug 20</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christine has just left us after a generous visit of nearly two weeks during which she saw the worst and best of life around here. The best was yesterday when we did a run up to Mangawhai Tavern for a stunning lunch which I really enjoyed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She's just left this morning en route for Hastings to pick up Lauren and wee Maddie to go to Palmerston North for the funeral of my sister Barbara. Five years of Alzhiemer's have stolen the last part of a remarkable life but it is a kind of a relief for all concerned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bev and I felt last week that my situation was too ropey to admit of another trip of that length so we will join the video link from home. Ask me today, and I'd say of course I could make it. But, oh, how things change from day to day...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A couple of weeks ago I initiated another change in anti-nausea medication after having some upsetting times with the adjustments made by the Hospice team. Now I think I may have just about overcome nausea and sickness issues but this particular med has made the constipation worse. My choice was to deal with one problem at a time and that seems to be working at last. I have had a couple of days of almost normal eating with no trouble and am hopeful they may continue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've had no significant pain that can't be dealt to with paracetamol. So there's a sense of having reached a new plateau in the journey. But who knows what's around the corner. My </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hospice Nurse has gone over all my meds today and my monthly test results seem to be pretty good, with the interesting exception that PSA is away again, rocking up to 480.</span><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aug 9</span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"> Well the good times didn't last more than a couple of days. A scheduled visit to the Hospice for my first medical consultation opened up some issues with medications and we made one or two more changes. But a couple of bouts of vomiting still spoiled the rest of the week. At least the laxative is working - it's taken a long time to really take effect. I now have to cope with periodic diarrhoea of course...</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">The specialist encouraged me to believe that what we have been through these last eight months could be the worst discomfort that I may have to face. There is no problem with vital organs at this stage. And I have been given an assurance that I can contact Hospice 24/7 if I am having any more problems, over weekends, for instance. </span></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">Lack of mobility and balance and growing loss of sensitivity in my feet and legs continue to testify to some of the cancer activity in my spine. B</span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">ut I've had only mild pain in the chest area and nothing at all like I had a year ago in the back and leg. The cancer, now quite widespread through my ribcage and spine, is a funny old disease, it seems, and since March has not warranted any heavier medication than paracetamol. And when that occurs there should be no difficulty getting urgent help. </span></span></b><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">But it's the little things that take you down... </span></span></b><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">Currently, I am feeling digestionally fragile, very tired and sleepy, and have lost a lot of weight and condition, still eating like a sparrow. Food is just no fun at all. </span></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">I am winding up my responsibilities with the Village newsletter and sound system. The latter is still a slightly tricky issue since I put it all together a few years ago and know more about it than anyone else. I need to find a trouble-shooter, not just more operators. </span></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">So we are pressing on, one day at a time, continuing with enough tests to keep an eye on vital functions and taking life very gently, good days and bad. Some decent weather would be an encouragement... </span></span></b></span></b><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aug 5</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The weekend continued without any trouble and I am hoping to settle down to a decent period of normality. Long may it last! Thanks for greetings and good wishes, as ever....</span><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">August 1</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've had a reasonable day or two. The tummy and nausea troubles seem to be settling down a bit and I am managing some degree of pain around the chest with a fairly simple regime .... I am getting in a bit of practice with a walking stick. It looks good but not really necessary yet...</span><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">July 29 2019 </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was not a great week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The intramuscular injections crippled my thighs for several days. The nausea problems went on like I wasn't taking anything for them.. And I continued to develop my vomiting skills. Last night when our son called I said I could even vomit if I just thought about food - and away went half of my little dinner in a flash...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I feel a lot better and have kept down a good porridge and 1000mg Panadol, the sun is shining, and all's right with the world. But there may be more to add later in the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No, I'm still feeling reasonably OK....</span><br />
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<b><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">July 23 2019 </span> </span></b></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, it was great having Bev home but my appetite and nausea still weren't with the programme. By the weekend I couldn't even keep a pill down never mind a bit of a meal. Three days of nothing to eat and nothing to deal with the cancer pain didn't do a lot for me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So Monday we rocked off to the local health centre where three doctors and five nurses gave me 3IVs and 2IMs for temporary medications, tests, and a two and half litres of saline solution. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Armed with new meds we staggered home and this morning we tried the new anti-nausea. It stayed down fine but breakfast didn't. I am getting pretty skilled at purposeful vomiting but this time I managed to wet my pants at the same time. That was a new experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, all in all, we will try the med one more time and if lunch goes down the drain we will be in touch with the great people at the medical centre again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pain is not the priority until we get the nausea under control but the next step along that route will be to have a consult with the Hospice doctor. (I got a good recommendation from his famous predecessor while we were both waiting to go on air - on opposite sides, of course - for the Radio NZ Panel a couple of weeks ago.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now I need to bake a loaf of bread. Who knows, I may even get to eat some of it in a day or two.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not a whole lot better. A tiny omelette came up last night but, so far, breakfast and lunch have stayed down today. But we are both going to miss Barbershop Chorus rehearsal this afternoon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The End of Life Choice Bill should come up for discussion in the House later; there's only one more Member's Bill ahead of it...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For the record I am going to use this blog to post most of the news of my adventures. I am really grateful for emails and text and Messages but individual replies are becoming a bit demanding in my present state. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">July 17 2019</span><b style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After three or so weeks of reasonably stress-free living I've had another bout of challenges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the first place we decided that Bev should go to her brother in law's funeral. He was insensible for exactly a year when he died quietly so she went off to support the family for a week. Almost immediately I was hit with another pain crisis in the upper left chest where there's a pretty strong indication of cancer. All the usual symptoms came with it and the painkillers - trouble with digestion, lack of appetite and taste, nausea, balance, anemia and extreme tiredness and lack of drive. Now I have a whole bundle of new medications to try out next time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bev's back and we're getting on with things, but ever so gently!</span><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">June 21 2019</span></b><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"> </b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, we headed off in a rental ICE (Internal Combustion Engine to you non-Electric drivers out there) for Hastings and did the trip in one day in steady rain. It was great to see the family well settled into their home and to have a couple of nights R&R on the way back home.</span></span></b></b></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We coped Ok with the medical problems while away but since being home there have been some rather dramatic affairs. We obviously still have to master the medicals! </span></span></b></b></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this time my sense of both taste and appetite have taken an unwelcome dive. These were big issues when I was withdrawing from Aberatirone in January but I have been recently been a bit floored to discover that they are actually connected with my cancer. How did I miss that?</span></span></b></b></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm having great support from the Hospice visiting nurses and our GPs and we're moving along. I was able to do another interview for national television today but am aware that some of the sharp edge of my communication skills is being blunted. </span></span></b></b></span></b><br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And there's still a few things to do. I have recently helped some of our parishioners with some ideas about how to Read the Bible in church. I have to train a group of volunteer operators for our Village sound system. And a management's welcome decision to join with our residents in a combined newsletter will take another big chunk out of my schedule.</span></span></b></b></span></b><br />
Latest tests suggest decreasing anaemia and blood sugar and only a modest rise of PSA to around 340. All I have go to do is live up to the tests! The mind slows and the body weakens but the spirit is OK with that...<br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></b></b>May 31 2019</span></b><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"> </b><br />
<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As my FB friends will know we had a great week with our </span></span></b></b><br />
<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">daughter Christine here for our two birthdays some days ago. It was a lovely time and we were quite spoiled having her around.</span></span></b></b><br />
<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">There have been more GP appointments and some momentous problems trying to deal with constipation problems made worse by the variety of medications over the withdrawal period. </span></b></b><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">Hopefully, we are over all that now, and with very few pain problems, we're moving forward confidently enough to plan a road trip to Hastings to grand-daughter Lauren and her family in their new setting. </span></b></b></span><br />
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<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;">May 10 2019</b><br />
<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"> I have just had a pleasant house-call from my Hospice Nurse and it prompted me to spend some time noting down all that has happened in the last few weeks.</span></b><br />
<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">It's been a rough time with a couple of significant pain events and three doctor visits, two lots of antibiotics, more painkiller prescriptions, serious anaemia, an X-ray order, Aclasta infusion, total exhaustion and goodness knows what-all. </span></b><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">It seems that we all underestimated the crisis involved in simply coming off Abiraterone. </span></b><b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">But the last ten days have been pretty manageable with no pain nor need for painkillers and at least now I have some serious medication if it's needed. </span></b><br />
<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">And, for the first time for three or four years, my PSA has gone down. From 430 to 340. We have no idea why but, heck, we're taking it, thanks. Small mercies and all that.</span></b><br />
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<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;">Mar 26 2019</b><br />
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Just back from another visit with my GP. We've agreed we were probably been a bit premature in the timing for reducing one or two of medications. I've had some discomfort during the horrific weekend of the Christchurch terror strike. And, of course, we were up at Paihia with a completely prepared order of service which needed to be adjusted quite a lot.</div>
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But I have now got a couple of things that may help if my occasional bouts of depression and weepiness increase. Happily, there's no sign of the hot flushes returning. </div>
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I'm also stacked up on Paracetamol and Diclophenac but in the last week or so I haven't had any pain that could be connected with the cancer. Apparently it's a bit vigorous in my femur and various places around the rib cage and up and down the spine. But as long as it's not giving me pain that's OK for now. And I am moving more confidently than I have for most of the last twelve months. </div>
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We've had two visits from Hospice and established that my preference is to die at home rather than as an in-patient. But they have an amazing array of resources and great facilities. We expect we will get involved at some stage.</div>
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<b>TESTS : </b></div>
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PSA 430, considerable anaemia evident, high blood sugar is back, probably all related to the cancer not being controlled so much. But day by day I seem to be managing OK. </div>
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<b style="color: red; font-size: xx-large;">Feb 15 2019</b></div>
<b>There's been a whole lot of water go under the bridge in recent weeks. </b><br />
We couldn't get an appointment with Medical Oncology before last Monday due to the Christmas break and a two-week cruise in the latter part of January. Meanwhile my PSA went up to 270 in just one more month.<br />
Significantly, my appetite faded just before Christmas for the next few weeks - a side effect of Abiraterone that I should have recognised. And my tiredness and sleepiness became chronic - also connected to medication that might be losing its effectiveness.<br />
The long and short of it all is that a hastily-arranged bone scan revealed extensive metastases in my spine and upper body bones; a short consultation at Medical Oncology confirmed that Abiraterone is no longer working and should be ceased.<br />
We'd already made the decision to have no chemo (in any case, it is not recommended after Abiraterone). Now there would only be experimental medications that would not be on the free list, We agreed that it was time to cut our ties with the hospitable, informed and dedicated team at med. onc and to work with our GP from now on.<br />
Neither of us was at all surprised by the outcome of this final visit. The signs have been there for some time and it's now a new day and a somewhat different journey. We have to express to the Greenlane team our gratitude for their innovative and generous support through these last four or five years, years of which we had absolutely no expectation when we moved down to Auckland five years ago.<br />
Meanwhile, the Committee considering the End of Life Choice Bill is to report next month and we need to get stuck into trying to promote the Bill in the face of massive, organised opposition..<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>DEC 28:</b></span><br />
<b>Over the last three or so months my PSA tests have shown significant increases, but yesterday's test (27 Dec) is a doosie. From 55 to 95 to 170 in two months</b>.<br />
My GP phoned up with the news and is very concerned. We have agreed that if I am not called up by Medical Oncology in a week, well, the week after New Year perhaps, we will need to stir them up. He would like them to prescribe something new but my hunch is that Abiraterone is already coming up from the bottom of their barrel.<br />
However, looking over our history of the last three months, Bev and I have just realised that in September we shifted my Abiraterone doses from evening to morning (it was a rational and perfectly OK move, having always been an option for us). A quick visit to Dr Google found a couple of references to the possibility that breast cancer treatment may be more effective if the medication is taken at night instead of the morning. Since prostate cancer uses the same kind of receptors to feed on maybe it might work for us, too. It's been a fairly simple decision to shift my dosage back to evenings from tomorrow.<br />
Meanwhile, apart from minor back pains, I continue to feel much better than six months or, indeed, two years ago and it's hard to take all this seriously while we get on with important things like promoting the End of Life Choice Bill. And enjoying a short cruise next month...<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">NOV:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My latest PSA test has shown another rise to 57 - about where I was in June last year when starting Abiraterone. Disappointing but just a continuation of the overall trend for fifteen years... At least a Testosterone test showed almost unmeasurable levels - well, I could have told them that...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Strangely, my balance, vertigo and unsteady walking have improved a lot in the last month or so. We think they've been caused by the inner ear problems being spasmodic rather than chronic. (These kinds of problems could even have been kicked off by our flight to Christchurch for family visits last month when I had a particularly unsteady period including couple of spectacular falls).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So we keep on learning and life continues on its cheerful and fascinating way. I told my GP the other day that this month I have felt better than any time in the last couple of years... So, all good.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">OCT:</span><br />
In Mid-October we reported again to Medical Oncology and they have approved my continuing on Abiraterone and other assorted chemistry. A slight rise in PSA to 37 is not worrying them. There's a new wonder drug out now but it's not on the free list and I wasn't invited to ante up for it myself.<br />
I'm going to see my GP regarding my balance and the occasional fall. But is it caused by the disease, the medication or just old age? And who knew after fifteen years on Zoladex I should expect some loss of muscle tone - noticeable when I lifted up one of the GG children last month...? All going pretty well, then...<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">SEPT:</span><br />
For the first time in more than a year my PSA is back down around 25. My Doctor said, "Don't think about it, just be grateful for it". And I am. But perhaps the combined assault of Abiraterone and the half dozen bursts of radiation therapy at the end of June have at last produced a more modest PSA than we've seen since mid last year. In a month when my one-year licence for ABR is coming up for review that's pretty encouraging.<br />
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However, side effects of the hefty medications I am on include a lot of balance problems and I have taken the odd tumble and a lot of near-falls. But all in all, my quality of life seems pretty good compared with the alternative so there's much to be thankful for. And there's still some work to be done in advocating for personal choice at my end of life. Now there's something to live for !<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-48264580236135851732019-07-29T12:29:00.000+12:002019-08-05T11:53:04.879+12:00A Shot Across the Bow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">1 August</span><br />
The first debate was held last night. David Seymour's Supplementary Order paper limiting the bill to people who are "terminal" was not unexpected but very sad. In the EOLC movement we have a number of people who have long-term irremediable conditions and might have hoped the bill could apply to them. The Green Party was not up to any kind of compromise, refusing to support the bill unless it was for terminal patients only. So, David and our supporters for EOL Choice have to accept that half a loaf is better than no bread, I guess. Anyway, the compromise was well received by the House.<br />
A whole string of seemingly innocuous SOPs kept the House in session until 11.45pm. One was that the definition of a psychiatrist should include five year's experience. Well, heck, you don't get to be a psychiatrist of any kind without an awful lot of experience. Each of these SOPs required a personal vote, some of which took nearly fifteen minutes. It looks already as if there is a deliberate attempt to slow the decision-making process down.<br />
Next opportunity for debate is afternoon/evening of Wed 14 August. Or maybe a week later, it seems.<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">29 July</span><br />
Last Wednesday I was fascinated to hear the Speaker of the House read out a statement about how the debate for the End of Life Choice Bill would be handled.<br />
He specially indicated that Part I of the debate would contain a few significant clauses which would, in effect, determine the substantive issue. No subsequent debate on what seems likely to be an extensive Bill would be able to contradict or undo an affirmative decision on the principles in Part 1.<br />
He also provided a lot of detailed advice on the use of proxies, pointing out that if an MP was going to seek a proxy the member had better be sure how that person would vote.<br />
I haven't ever heard such a specific and detailed statement of guidance from the Speaker. It looks as if he will manage a good debate and give fairly short shrift to Members who try to wear it down with unnecessary duplication and irrelevancies.<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-87374716276081066162019-07-17T12:24:00.000+12:002019-07-17T12:24:11.773+12:00Update of End of Life Choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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THE BILL<br />
At the end of June the End of Life Choice Bill passed its Second Reading 70-50 but it was clear that quite a few Members voted only for it to be discussed for another few months rather than confirmed as Law. There were some moving speeches and an accepting atmosphere in other normal antagonistic House and the issue is by no means dead.<br />
Already a dozen proposals have been formally lodged for amending it, and the sponsor, MP David Seymour himself has produced a 70 age document of changes he'd like to see made. The debate could be long drawn out around the few hours a month that are permitted for Private Member's Bills.<br />
It has become apparent that the deluge of submissions made to the Justice Committee has been matched over recent weeks by pro forma emails being sent to MPs. The Society has asked us to give them a break which does seem to be reasonable. In some ways, everything that can be said has been said and we just have to wait out the parliamentary process.<br />
QUEENSLAND?<br />
It was interesting to hear that the Queensland parliament is hearing submissions on their bill and some 80% appear to be running in favour of Choice. What a contrast to the NZ position where 80% of submissions have been against. For a relatively conservative state it would seem Queensland's conservative component is not as well organised as its counterpart in this country.<br />
ON A PERSONAL NOTE<br />
The issue gets more and more personal for me as my health and comfort deteriorate. But we still have plans for an intimate family recognition of 60 years of marriage in November....<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-28166374711387093452019-06-21T09:44:00.000+12:002019-06-21T09:44:14.980+12:00"You'll probably die of something else"Here's another<a href="https://youtu.be/_403l--qFHs" target="_blank"> short video</a> designed to encourage the usually apathetic majority to take to their computers and scribe a short letter to MPs in their region. It's just a whimsical reminder of the different ways in which one can die of prostate cancer. Having come off the cancer-controlling drugs I now have to reflect on the reality of a cancer death. But I think the video is still kinda cute and it at least deserves a spot in my blog.<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-44390308974519283372019-06-21T09:41:00.002+12:002019-06-21T09:41:58.278+12:00A Fairy Story?<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">To mark the possible reappearance of the End of Life Choice Bill in Parliament next week, here's another in my series of <a href="https://youtu.be/b_dMxFL_l-4" target="_blank">short videos</a>. I made these clips to entertain; but I also want them to prompt people to write to their MPs before it's too late. They need to hear the views of ordinary people before they vote. </span></b></span><br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-57123690076635170252019-05-10T15:00:00.000+12:002019-05-10T15:00:00.379+12:00Consistent Poll Results<br />
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In April Horizon Research conducted a poll of 1300 representative New Zealanders on End of Life Choice. Consistent with most polls carried out in the past 25 years, the number of those resisting any change remains at less than 20%.<br />
Those in favour of EOLC for terminal patients now number around 74% (up from 64% when Horizon ran their first poll in 2012)..<br />
Of interest is that 65% also believe assisted dying should be available for people with "irreversible unbearable suffering which may not cause death in the immediate future". This is the category that the Green Party want to remove from the Draft Bill. Hopefully some accommodation can be reached on this issue when the finer points of the very complex Bill are debated. But first it has to get through the second Reading, to be held as early at 22 May but possibly not until June. Private Members' Bills take low priority in the House.<br />
I have been working on a short video to send personally to all MPs who appear to still be in the "undecided" category. Happily, this list is getting shorter week by week...<br />
<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-43185097079232991952019-05-02T16:44:00.001+12:002019-05-02T16:44:25.764+12:00Clouding the Issue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvLZe7_Mg8Tv6BbfRbeRcL1vc_kq9MeFhRjFx6y1DBqaJxH_frm8WocIxWpIeQTgTmYUNHOrHXgd33LQWXPwTUxcv-wJEMS7TcXuFxZWeTlU6Y5AcPgEykNnPCDt22Us9qqbYXfLvhgc6/s1600/eolc+bill+intro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="667" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvLZe7_Mg8Tv6BbfRbeRcL1vc_kq9MeFhRjFx6y1DBqaJxH_frm8WocIxWpIeQTgTmYUNHOrHXgd33LQWXPwTUxcv-wJEMS7TcXuFxZWeTlU6Y5AcPgEykNnPCDt22Us9qqbYXfLvhgc6/s200/eolc+bill+intro.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As the Second Reading on May 22 creeps up it is clear that the those who are opposed to the End of Life Choice Bill are ramping up their claims. In this powerful article by Graham Adams, 1 May in <a href="https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/social-issues/euthanasia-debate-nz-conflating-youth-suicide-and-assisted-dying-bad-move/?" target="_blank">NOTED</a>. there are dramatic examples of the lengths to which the opposition is prepared to go. Do go to it and read the articles there. In the first Bill English's wife Dr Mary is charged with being involved in an entirely inappropriate meme on social media deliberately relating assisted death to youth suicide. The implication is, how wrong can you be, how low can you get.<br />
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It is depressing to be confronted with such specious arguments that the real issue is lost to sight. Only widespread action by ordinary voters can help the 50% of MPs who are in the "undecided" category to focus on what really matters.<br />
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Personally, now, all that is central to the issue for me is me. My cancer, no longer receiving treatment but left to take its not very congenial course. My possible last days are all the Bill sets out to deal with. It is if it is written for my particular and personal circumstances. Get your heads around that, you undecided MPs!<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-6055264457715455102019-04-17T10:58:00.000+12:002019-05-02T16:48:14.991+12:00Sauce for the Goose<br />
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<img alt="Image result for israel folau" height="112" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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It's interesting that Israel Folau should be chucked out of the Brownies when he put some of his personal beliefs on social media and they are unacceptable to the bulk of the population.<br />
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But Maggie ("Tea Lady") Barry continues as a member of the National Party when she not only declares her beliefs about heaven, hell and, particularly, what she calls "killing" but evangelically tries to bludgeon the general population into acting on those same beliefs when they don't actually share them.<br />
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At least Folau is true to his religious convictions and doesn't cheat, lie or misrepresent facts just to win converts.<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-33645024102620640622019-04-09T20:12:00.001+12:002019-04-09T20:12:52.485+12:00MFC1 DSM Huge rise in PSA<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U-cRF8fpg0c" width="480"></iframe>Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-18202519875658956822019-04-09T15:27:00.000+12:002019-04-09T15:27:11.753+12:00Maggie "Tea Lady" Barry and the Catholics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6LwhEgcWmtsPYa6j5YBgWxGUL-rv1ybyiX_UJfGJ7z2BMCJg2YQpY2ER-L_ROXvN9oQNeDv8BA4OYfDYl0m22LhmErL3LKeSp8UR-dSYsCmc9BRLqi3VaGTarWnHIaLguw0NJtMvHZ-2/s1600/Catholic+bishops%2527+council+nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6LwhEgcWmtsPYa6j5YBgWxGUL-rv1ybyiX_UJfGJ7z2BMCJg2YQpY2ER-L_ROXvN9oQNeDv8BA4OYfDYl0m22LhmErL3LKeSp8UR-dSYsCmc9BRLqi3VaGTarWnHIaLguw0NJtMvHZ-2/s200/Catholic+bishops%2527+council+nz.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What a comprehensive condemnation of the insidious role of the Catholic Church in the End of Life Choice debate is Graham Adams' article "Why the Catholic Church Hides its Face" in <a href="https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/social-issues/euthanasia-debate-why-the-catholic-church-hides-its-face/?ref_email=ZGF2ZW11bGxhbjM1QGdtYWlsLmNvbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NOTED_newsletter_04-04-2019&utm_term=list_notednz_newsletter" target="_blank">NOTED</a> on 3 April!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His thorough research and careful writing reveal the length to which the Church has gone to - and is going to - to persuade the general population to accept their "flat earth" theology and dehumanising beliefs about living and dying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is not surprising that the Church, in begging its parishioners to make submissions against the Bill, told them not to mention that they are Catholic. It is not surprising that the Church, in the context of its current international reputation vis a vis ethical and moral issues, is reluctant to hold up its head and make its own case. It is not surprising that the bunch of old men at the head of the Church do not wish to face up to the scrutiny of the public news media.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But it was a surprise to me that the "Care Alliance" which seems to represent Catholic beliefs, was set up by none other than Maggie ("Tea Lady") Barry and John Kleinsman, a lay spokesman for the Catholic Council of Bishops. No wonder the former sees herself as chosen of God to represent His cause at all costs of truth and integrity...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All this and more is revealed in Adams' article, together with his rejection of the Catholic doctrines of life, death, suffering and the role of the Church. It's a fascinating read and explains the absolutely intractable position of official Catholicism.</span><br />
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Adams ends:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, someone who believes assisted dying is murder; that
only God can interrupt a human life; and that suffering is a path to salvation
is never going to agree to any change in the law, no matter how many safeguards
are set up or how much evidence from other jurisdictions shows the practice is
safe or free of abuse — as it overwhelmingly does.</span></div>
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-65802756955778699502019-03-01T11:46:00.001+13:002019-03-01T11:54:06.799+13:00Thank you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumZLkXiStO3PRES56agZ8vrNPgXdvOiJm2l_NzRmEgZiqrEM9f8qgJRwWhAgb08EftI0ksUahwMqFsVBXA5NKWB2eBDoiezcx9ASTikJKY5gmqpEtlb5GySXzST6xS2vCzTYXBG2eZSXv/s1600/Interview+room+notice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="840" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumZLkXiStO3PRES56agZ8vrNPgXdvOiJm2l_NzRmEgZiqrEM9f8qgJRwWhAgb08EftI0ksUahwMqFsVBXA5NKWB2eBDoiezcx9ASTikJKY5gmqpEtlb5GySXzST6xS2vCzTYXBG2eZSXv/s200/Interview+room+notice.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Nearly half a century ago I was involved in some discussion with a staff member of the Dunedin Medical School. There was a growing awareness that mere academic achievement was not the only quality that should be expected of incoming medical students. Having done extensive research in the criteria for selecting candidates for church ministry, I had the opportunity of suggesting to my medical friend that both professions required a high and demonstrable level of interpersonal relations. Perhaps especially among theological or medical <i>specialists</i>, who sometimes appeared to lack the "bedside manner" of the family GP or local minister. I know he took these thoughts to back to the Medical School.<br />
As we have been concluding a five year relationship with the cancer experts at Greenlane Clinical Centre Bev and I have both been discussing the quality of care they have delivered to us.<br />
We have to say that throughout this journey we have been treated with the greatest professional courtesy and yet also significant personal warmth. We have never been "talked down" to. We have never picked up any hint that we were perhaps taking too much of their time - even when we might have been. We have had many laughs and shared quite a few jokes. My attempts at personal interest in my circumstances have always been meticulously respected - even when sometimes I didn't really know what I was talking about. And my concerns for end of life choice were always heard with sympathy if not outright enthusiasm. Most importantly, all decisions about my medical journey were made in a context of mutual discussion and consensus.<br />
And when they determined that it would be reasonable for me to go onto the very expensive drug Abiraterone (which had recently come onto the free list for 600 men) and I was uncomfortable with the country putting that much money into an old man nobody insisted that I must accept it.<br />
But our consultant said "If this drug could could give you one more year of good quality of life, <i>what could you do with that</i>? He had been reading "me", not just my "case". He knew that there were worthwhile things I could do and that I would like to them. It was a challenge I could not turn down.<br />
Now, eighteen months later, the drug has run its course and has been stopped. But I can look back on a number of significant projects that I carried through in answer to that challenge. And although I am much more at the mercy of the disease as it will now take its more rapid course, I can only say that I am deeply grateful for the opportunities of these last couple of years. And I have some hope for any time yet to come.<br />
And for the whole five years of careful, warm, "professional" ministry by those whom we have met month by month, we offer our warmest thanks. In the confusion and concern in the public health sector at the present time, we want them to know that their efforts on our behalf are deeply, deeply appreciated. Thank you, all.<br />
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Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-53004593851204265752019-02-19T13:14:00.000+13:002019-03-27T14:11:15.378+13:00The Voluntary Euthanasia Tea Lady invited to stand back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgyKGfH5AAIGaCQS44qRPRFRNO5HNVylAwxomHDGwUIejbJLBEr4bKjkXYUyG_ENo8ZqEQ0WMUfqv00fVOZ69RD7ufXITbG8vzqrjKF8zt9O72z06_w8TEPcYaw2B3VZNGQwRqCIk9wIv/s1600/Barry%2527s+Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="382" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgyKGfH5AAIGaCQS44qRPRFRNO5HNVylAwxomHDGwUIejbJLBEr4bKjkXYUyG_ENo8ZqEQ0WMUfqv00fVOZ69RD7ufXITbG8vzqrjKF8zt9O72z06_w8TEPcYaw2B3VZNGQwRqCIk9wIv/s200/Barry%2527s+Tea.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>From noted.co.nz I have just received this perceptive view on Maggie ("Tea Lady") Barrie's blusterous opposition to the Bill that most New Zealanders would like to see adopted. </i></div>
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"As for Maggie Barry, her shortcomings as an opponent of assisted dying were again on full show last December after David Seymour released a <i>(70 pg) </i>report suggesting amendments to his bill.</div>
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"She was obviously blindsided by his recommendation that, in response to public concern, the bill should be amended to be available only to those with a terminal illness (removing access for those with “a grievous and irremediable condition”); explicitly exclude eligibility on the grounds of mental health conditions and disabilities alone; and incorporate the palliative care bill sponsored by Maggie Barry herself.</div>
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"Barry’s televised bluster in response to his eminently reasonable but clearly unexpected news was simply embarrassing to watch. <a data-anchor="?variant=tb_v_1" href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/acts-david-seymour-and-maggie-barry-clash-over-euthanasia-bill-changes?variant=tb_v_1" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c81b1; margin-bottom: 0px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.25s linear 0s; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">She dismissed Seymour’s suggested amendments</a> as an “extraordinary flight of fancy”, “publicity seeking” and accused him of “being cute”.</div>
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"It is clear that her opposition to the End of Life Choice Bill — centred on alleged risks to the vulnerable — is implacable and no safeguards or restrictions could ever be sufficient to satisfy her. Indeed, it seems highly likely that even if every assisted death were filmed and the evidence presented immediately to the police to show the dying patient willingly took the lethal medication themselves after all the necessary precautions and paperwork had been observed — as happens at Dignitas’s clinics in Zurich — Barry would still claim the safeguards were inadequate.</div>
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<i>From the short public interaction that I had with her (My blog June 29 2018) I would have to concur. But whereas a few months ago I invited her to stay out of the public domain as a member of the Justice Committee, perhaps I should now encourage her to carry on just as she has been doing. Even the National Party must recognise that they have a loose cannon on the deck on this particular issue... </i></div>
Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-80014648357088604222018-12-24T10:28:00.000+13:002018-12-28T10:12:17.083+13:00That Bill Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm6DKF4XKZMv_d3V3E57LHEpZBKce2kyqKidKQ0Q__Bdsrs_P9oTQ3Ek2-gggbdu1OqIxsaeDkigxmiaVDI5Y0HBMQnumHTNgImY4OLgX4C_D7XZqN00NoVZ5v1sJQRKgCgybBojtT3rl/s1600/David+Seymour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="227" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm6DKF4XKZMv_d3V3E57LHEpZBKce2kyqKidKQ0Q__Bdsrs_P9oTQ3Ek2-gggbdu1OqIxsaeDkigxmiaVDI5Y0HBMQnumHTNgImY4OLgX4C_D7XZqN00NoVZ5v1sJQRKgCgybBojtT3rl/s200/David+Seymour.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Justice Committee is having some of their work done for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was always on the cards that some changes would need to be made in the Bill. But its sponsor, David Seymour MP, has sent a 77 pg document to the Committee suggesting changes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His summary is that the Committee should amend the Bill to provide for:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">• a binding
referendum at the General Election after the Bill has been passed by <o:p></o:p>Parliament</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">• amending the
eligibility criteria to limit eligibility to terminal illness, not other "irremediable" conditions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">• stating clearly that access to assisted dying for people cannot be
by reason of mental health conditions and disabilities only<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">• incorporating
the Access to Palliative Care Bill sponsored by Maggie Barry MP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">David also also suggests amendments to clarify the
role and protection of pharmacists, nurses, and medical practitioners, the
purpose of the SCENZ Group, the register, and the issues of advanced
directives, insurance, and suggests providing for the issuing of delay
certificates for a person who is eligible for assisted dying but wishes to
change the timing of administration.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It seems a remote possibility that Maggie ("Tea Lady") Barry will be pleased to have her alternative proposal incorporated into the End of Life Choice Bill. That's an olive branch that is probably dead on the tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Otherwise, David's paper is a comprehensive review of his own Bill and seems to accommodate a large number of the major concerns that have been raised in submissions and public meetings. Let's hope it moves the whole discussion forward. The Committee is to report in March. </span><br />
<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-21209414868874694582018-12-21T17:20:00.001+13:002019-02-19T13:18:05.089+13:00Words Matter<br />
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<img alt="Image result for tvnz Standards committee" height="200" 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" 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<br />
I've lodged a complaint with TVNZ about the use of the term "euthanasia" to describe the End of Life Choice Bill.<br />
I believe the use of the word contravenes three broadcasting standards:<br />
<b>1. Balance:</b><br />
The word "Euthanasia" is universally and deliberately used by opponents to the Bill and is offensive to those who support it. It is emotively loaded with visions of shooting a sick horse. No alternative word was used at any time on at least two formal programmes on TVNZ a couple of weeks ago.<br />
<b>2. Accuracy:</b><br />
The word is simply not accurate to describe the Bill. In fact the word doesn't appear once in the Bill.<br />
<b>3. Fairness: </b><br />
Because the word is used, deliberately and incorrectly, by the opponents of the Bill its use in the public media in respect of the Bill is demonstrably and obvious unfair to the Bill and the 70% of the population who support the general principles. It is pejorative and judgmental.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">UPDATE </span><span style="color: red;">15 Feb 2018</span><br />
PS While I was away TVNZ took six or eight pages to tell me I was wrong on all counts. But I sense that part of the issue has at least been reconsidered. I hope that helps. Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-60423853053955817402018-12-14T13:09:00.001+13:002018-12-21T17:14:04.193+13:00A conscience vote?<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="Image result for a conscience vote" height="131" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQu4VgLTOHuo60KFR5dWlwkjDxtwcBQ4gtsA0snyIuom6wDd7y1" width="200" /></div>
<br />
It's been interesting for me to note that half a dozen NZ parliamentarians and candidates at a semi-public meeting all announced that their intention for the End of Life Choice Bill was to vote "according to the wishes of my electorate".<br />
<br />
It was as though a "conscience" vote was something they were not prepared to make. I suggested to our local MP (who was at the time "undecided") that I would rather have his vote "in good conscience" against the Bill than have him go into the debate still vacillating.<br />
<br />
But, actually, I didn't think too much about the issues. A "conscience" vote is not just a vote for one's own personal opinions and beliefs. For instance, We saw many MPs vote for the First Reading of the Bill although their personal inclinations were against it. They were taking the attitude that at least the Bill deserved a thorough hearing from a competent Committee before being thrown out by Parliament. That was a responsible act and I told my MP so.<br />
<br />
When the next Readings of the Bill come along I would like to see a few MPs paying less attention to their own views than to the good of the country as a whole. I hope that some swinging MPs and even some who have decided to oppose the Bill might, <i>in conscience,</i> pay enough attention to the negative aspects of end of life as it is for many people at present that they might even vote for the Bill <i>against their personal convictions</i>. I'd like them to say "I do not want the personal choice of a different end of life for myself" but my "conscience" tells me <i>I should vote for the Bill to give others the choice</i>.<br />
<br />
So personal views and opinions are not the whole of a "conscience" vote. It must also include consideration of more issues than just personal ones. It must include the understanding that the conscience of an MP has to do with making decisions for the good of the greatest number of the population. Even against one's own personal beliefs.<br />
<br />
When this Bill comes back to the House MPs will be free to vote according to their consciences. Hopefully, the consciences of some will remind them they are voting for the whole population, not just the promotion of their own beliefs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-17442900646632835942018-12-10T14:25:00.000+13:002019-02-18T10:52:01.385+13:00Rodney Voters - Where were You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJIrUwle2SeQODHWSi6FulQAVb7c3MnFMwtgUfxJkslZvZ3WIaRAd6DQhRoJ002k7GlSncEsjEUtNkrJIm_UTFUKTCNfaUXbe3UDMfrK-7yI-SJJgQ14Wo0XtJ4EtRifWnj5HFPi5TtN/s1600/EOLC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="216" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJIrUwle2SeQODHWSi6FulQAVb7c3MnFMwtgUfxJkslZvZ3WIaRAd6DQhRoJ002k7GlSncEsjEUtNkrJIm_UTFUKTCNfaUXbe3UDMfrK-7yI-SJJgQ14Wo0XtJ4EtRifWnj5HFPi5TtN/s200/EOLC.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
A few months ago, New Zealanders polled about 75% in favour of a change in the law so that a suffering, dying patient could ask for medical help to shorten one's last days. By far the larger proportion of the NZ population appear to want to have personal Choice at the end.<br />
<br />
However, when the Justice Committee of Parliament called for submissions on the End of Choice Bill that would make this possible, some 85% of "submissions" were <b><i>opposed to any change in the law.</i></b> Some members of the Justice Committee such as Maggie Barry believe that is the correct figure for the whole population. Again and again she has that declared 85% of NZ is <b><i>against any change</i></b>.<br />
<b>Rodney friends: did you offer your views, even to a very brief note: "I am in favour of the proposed Bill"</b><br />
<br />
When Mark Mitchell called a public meeting to debate the issues in our electorate last year there was an informal vote taken on the principle. The Bill was marginally defeated on the numbers attending. This has been pretty common in such meetings throughout the country. Some politicians could take this to mean that more than half of us in their electorates do not want change!<br />
<b>Rodney sympathisers, how many of you were there that night? How many of you felt that vote was meaningful?</b><br />
<br />
When I've made the fairly obvious point that the opposition by submitters and attenders did not seem to represent the mind of the community as a whole, I've been told that Parliament has to listen to the groups who make the strongest case.<br />
<b>Rodney voters, do you think Government should legislate mainly for the group that writes the largest number of one-line submissions on the instructions of their church leaders?</b><br />
<br />
I don't think so. I am disappointed that so many of us who would like to see a change in the present law simply did not get off our bums to prepare submissions or show an interest in meetings. We just can't be bothered.<br />
<br />
Well, friends, we can still write and talk to our MPs. At the end of the day every MP will have to vote on this issue. As a good electorate MP ours is always open to comments from Rodney voters.<br />
<br />
If ever there was a time to write or say something to your MP, it is now.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark is at: </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">markmitchell@national.org.nz </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">or mp.rodney.parliament.govt.nz</span>Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-46430735017384544962018-12-10T11:09:00.000+13:002018-12-10T11:10:28.549+13:00The Embarrassing Church<br />
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<img alt="Image result for church and state nz clipart" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgj3tEsl1PJ-qbVukWPS6h1pZdnk2nM-Y8-zHdsCvTu3Dlk5dqkg" width="200" /></div>
<br />
I see that Auckland City Council, in reviewing its property rates is moving toward extending the concessions granted to churches and other religious groups.<br />
I've said for years that people who have chosen to build a worship building should not expect to receive rates concessions for ever. I cannot see any reason why the state should give members of a religious persuasion this special concession.<br />
But I was clearly against the trend. The ACC has been importuned by some denominations and individuals and is apparently proposing to extend rate-free privileges to a whole range of church properties that are not used only for worship, including properties let for financial reward, for fund-raising and even, would you believe, the residences of church ministers.<br />
This kind of subsidy of religion by the state leaves me very uncomfortable. I hope that the shouts of glee among Methodist Treasurers will be pretty subdued. Indeed, I challenge them to put this unexpected windfall in their accounts back into increased service of the disadvantaged in our communities.<br />
<br />
<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-41166101487369867592018-12-07T18:37:00.000+13:002018-12-07T18:37:29.558+13:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been interesting to me that MP Maggie Barry has come under scrutiny for alleged bullying of her staff.<br />
When I <a href="http://dave-mullan.blogspot.com/2018/08/justice-in-justice-committee.html" target="_blank">complained</a> about her savagely biased attitude as deputy Chair of the Government's Committee on Justice such further accusations were not in my mind. But I am impressed that others have made the link between her bias and her general attitude, notably Graham Adams in <a href="https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/politics/maggie-barry-bias-and-bullying-in-the-euthanasia-debate/" target="_blank">Noted</a> a day or two ago. His full article is really worth a quick read.<br />
On reflection it's quite easy to recognise that her impolite treatment of the two lady submitters who preceded me back in July was not merely biassed but also much stronger and more deliberate that the occasion demanded. I think it's quite likely that they both felt bullied.<br />
Well, the Committee has finished hearing submitters and it will be interesting to see if they have learned anything that was not already reported exhaustively and recorded by its predecessor. We all know how Maggie will vote. But will the Committee stand up to her forcibly expressed opinion?<br />
Perhaps they should invite her to have a <span id="goog_1157431821"></span>cup of tea<span id="goog_1157431822"></span>...<br />
<br />
(Regular readers of my blog will recall the incident recorded at the end of my post of <a href="http://dave-mullan.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-submission-2018.html" target="_blank">29 June</a>)Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-86599324872019316412018-11-22T17:49:00.003+13:002018-11-23T14:51:37.051+13:00A Genuine Poll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspG1FQ59HZe4PYksrigGqmGemgpEmcfDiH20DOZfIMZG1opHq1rIaVyyZ8h_wrgqM7_CXutf48Hv-ofBJcz1tBl1cR8UAEeVPCPZC4KDl8am5db67DKFIfbmo3qs-nQoreWj1EFgQhCrM/s1600/mark+mitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspG1FQ59HZe4PYksrigGqmGemgpEmcfDiH20DOZfIMZG1opHq1rIaVyyZ8h_wrgqM7_CXutf48Hv-ofBJcz1tBl1cR8UAEeVPCPZC4KDl8am5db67DKFIfbmo3qs-nQoreWj1EFgQhCrM/s200/mark+mitchell.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
For some months I have been having a (almost) one-way correspondence with my electorate MP on how he intends to gauge the :mind of the electorate on the matter of the End of Life Choice Bill.<br />
I have urged him to exercise a proper conscience vote (even if I don't get the answer I want) rather than to pussyfoot around with taking a snap vote at a public debate attended mainly by a few enthusiastic supporters of the Bill and a large rent-a-crowd of people press-ganged by churches and other "anti" organisations.<br />
Mark has, of course, been heavily involved in the National Party crises of recent weeks but at last we are to sit down together on Monday. So we will spend some time on how he can reasonably detect an accurate feeling from the electorate.<br />
In a rash moment some months ago, I offered to pay half the cost of a professionally organised poll of the electorate. Now, I have just heard, Minister Stuart Nash has announced just such a poll for his electorate. This is something concrete for me to put on the table on Monday. I hope that we can set up something like this and that other electorates will follow this excellent example.<br />
It's of relevance that last night we toured down to Northcote for their debate. Only two speakers this time, but no new arguments. A show of hands showed the meeting was about 50-50. But on the voting form we at least had to say if we were in the electorate - so our votes didn't count.<br />
I still think it would be a travesty of the democratic system of last night's vote were taken as a genuine expression of the wishes of the electorate. I hope I can persuade Mark to do something better for Rodney electorate when we talk on Monday<br />
<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-32588210482168500482018-11-15T17:55:00.001+13:002018-12-10T16:24:13.842+13:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The regular <a href="https://eolc.org.nz/resources/Documents/EOLC%20November_52_Nov%202018.pdf" target="_blank">newsletter</a> of End-of-Life Choice has appeared and I note some fascinating quotations: Among them is a letter to Catholic Bishop Christopher Prowse from the Chair of Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia (Australia).<br />
Ian Wood doesn't pussyfoot around the issues. I have his permission to reproduce the EOLC quote from his letter to Bishop Prowse:"<br />
<br />
<i>"Evidence recently given by countless victims of Catholic paedophile priests clearly show the
abyss and total lack of understanding by the Catholic Church for the suffering endured by those victims.
Many of these victims went on to take their own lives in dreadful circumstances - in a cruel irony compared
with the Church position on voluntary assisted dying.</i><br />
<i>I certainly do not write in the hope of changing your
mind on this issue. By all means feel free to endure whatever suffering comes your way in your end of life,
but I do pray and urge you not to use your position to force me and every other Australian to do the same."</i><br />
<b><i>Ian Wood </i></b><br />
<b><i>National Co-ordinator, </i></b><br />
<b><i>Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia,
Australia</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Ian's letter may be a model for a way for us to challenge our MPs on the issue.<br />
Also, in another post, <a href="http://dave-mullan.blogspot.com/2018/08/" target="_blank">29 August</a> I suggested that the Catholics might well be a bit reticent about volunteering their moral theology on the rest of us in the light of their current worldwide reputation in another area of moral consideration.<br />
<b><br /></b>Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-42813379318946522002018-11-15T11:15:00.000+13:002018-11-17T11:09:54.662+13:00End-of-Life Questions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4c-encbbqB17Arz1oz2e7ZE8-JhkiQ47izq6kXR_Dihg8UjOYOJ5VTAC590eU4yYMh1_reN6mSd9LA3J1xBb8nTOPGPJ5H968EceNC8iHVq8WIIPhpcguzu_bSiyOChdZxEiUpQZz80H/s1600/EOLC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="216" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4c-encbbqB17Arz1oz2e7ZE8-JhkiQ47izq6kXR_Dihg8UjOYOJ5VTAC590eU4yYMh1_reN6mSd9LA3J1xBb8nTOPGPJ5H968EceNC8iHVq8WIIPhpcguzu_bSiyOChdZxEiUpQZz80H/s200/EOLC.jpg" width="185" /></a><span id="goog_1458113007"></span><span id="goog_1458113008"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m not sure if I should roll up to an electorate meeting
on the End of Life Choice Bill tonight — it’s not my electorate and I am
already a bit cross that anti-Bill protestors attend meetings all over the
place and distort the vote that is usually taken at these events.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But if I go—and can pluck up the courage!—I’d like to ask a
couple of questions of each candidate:—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(I am 84, have advanced metastatic spinal
compression prostate cancer. I have no other life-threatening issues but I do have a history of undiagnosed and untreated tetany spasms after one surgery. If this cancer is
allowed to take its course I can expect significant paralysis, double incontinence
and a prolonged, undignified, painful death, possibly without adequate relief
of suffering. I don’t actually want that, so—)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Are you
personally satisfied with the present law that says it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not a crime</i> if I decide to take my own life rather than let my
disease take its course? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yes</b> or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Are you then personally
comfortable with my reality that if this Bill is not put into law quite soon I
may plan to end my life now while I can still manage to drive my car into a
bridge abutment or can shut myself up in our garage with the engine running
(oh, damn, that won’t work—our car is all-electric!) or get to town to buy a
party kit and figure out how to make that do what it was never designed for? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-91067769591289144122018-11-12T18:03:00.000+13:002018-11-12T18:03:07.660+13:00Remembering the War or Promoting the Peace?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Bev and I went to Auckland Domain today and walked a lot of the memorial ground where the 18,000 crosses are set up. It was a sober, thoughtful time for us and for the many who were doing the same thing.<br />
As it happened, we located the crosses for Bev's uncles, one of whom lied about his age. But both were far too young... It was a bit special to find them.<br />
But I have been challenged today by Ian Harris's <a href="https://progressivechristianityaotearoa.com/2018/11/12/peace-at-last/" target="_blank">column "Faith and Reason"</a> in the Otago Daily Times three days ago. <br />
"A hundred years on, it’s time to lay World War 1 to rest and
focus forward on constructing the peace," suggests Ian. "Now it is surely time to lay that war to rest and refocus
our vision and our energy on the subtler challenge of building a truly just and
lasting peace."<br />
Thank you, Ian. I needed that reminder...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-39945337145289762022018-11-07T11:22:00.000+13:002018-11-07T11:22:11.753+13:00Gaia - again<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="Image result for gaia hypothesis" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5FgFIJHEl-YH7uvnvpHjXYqnAKLTar0gFrPm3SlIptMgGb_Ho" width="126" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I see that Lovelock's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis" target="_blank">Gaia hypothesis</a> is "in the air" again. In 1972 I themed a whole church service around what was then a relatively unknown concept that would predict the coming of the global conditions we are experiencing today. (I think I even pronounced a benediction in the name of Gaia!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What struck me then, was that the environmental balance in the planet's atmosphere might collapse quite suddenly. The greenhouse gasses might not <i>gradually</i> reduce the availability of oxygen but could overcome it all at once. Remember the Rotorua Lakes a few years ago - they didn't <i>gradually</i> turn foul, the whole system crashed virtually overnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It may be wildly optimistic that we can stand by and measure the gradual deterioration of the quality of our environment and then - when things seems to have got really serious - proceed to take steps to correct the situation. We may be headed for a sudden and catastrophic failure of the planet's vulnerable system.</span><br />
<br />
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182901450002295069.post-29160569869764145202018-11-07T10:49:00.000+13:002018-11-17T11:10:56.732+13:00Heresy in the United Church of Canada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSkcz9-TBMJqyeTJq3rXj3q4_G4rBHc9S6t8PD64wTbWuPipju_rc-QZB9oAz9hKkqdGcCCWkjIOpdQxyK5W-ayrS28mMDu_pKD42TRWGk_m3nQPNSSUHcZP1vTjwQZumCQsIbozHR6QS/s1600/gretta+vosper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSkcz9-TBMJqyeTJq3rXj3q4_G4rBHc9S6t8PD64wTbWuPipju_rc-QZB9oAz9hKkqdGcCCWkjIOpdQxyK5W-ayrS28mMDu_pKD42TRWGk_m3nQPNSSUHcZP1vTjwQZumCQsIbozHR6QS/s200/gretta+vosper.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I write, Gretta Vosper, a minister of the United Church
of Canada, is in the second day of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.wikitribune.com/article/89031/?fbclid=IwAR2SNZuXfVQddwJyuLofJr6DMnStFt7JCuGE2HFKlfh33sSGlfF93cmhAqg" target="_blank">a trial for heresy</a></i></span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More than two
years ago the Church found her “unsuitable” for ministry but her congregation has
continued to stand steadfastly behind her ministry. Now the hierarchy is conducting
a formal trial of heresy which could deny her access to all pulpits in the UCC
and sister denominations. If the charge of heresy is not proved during this formal Church hearing, the denomination can then press the matter in the Civil courts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those of us who have been lucky enough to hear her would say: Yes, Gretta is not at all a conventional believer; yes, she
happened to be ordained at a quirky moment in the 1990s when the UCC’s ordination procedures
did not require her to answer specific questions of personal belief; yes, her congregation rarely
hears the name of God mentioned in worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the support of her people is overwhelming and the UCC widely claims to be inclusive and flexible in matters of personal faith. Furthermore, all round the world there are individuals and groups who have
been grateful for the opportunity to have their thinking stimulated by her
sharp mind and engaging personality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have long held the view that all the signs around us are that the Creator must have a sense of humour, if often mixed in with profound sadness over the wreckage we are making of our planet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Right now I think God must be laughing out loud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">PS (Next day) God's laughter must have been short-lived because a few hours after I wrote the above, Gretta and the Church issued a joint statement that all matters of difference between them are now resolved. She will be celebrating with West Hills United Church next Sunday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">UCC has always considered itself to accept wide divergences in belief and practice but this settlement must be surely herald a new era for the Church. Other denominations, please note.</span></div>
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<br />Dave Mullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08917897267774799644noreply@blogger.com1