Self-empowerment until the end of life

Even the final phase of life allows for self-determination. Oncologist Marion Debus and palliative care specialist Jörg Eberhardt, who both work at the Arlesheim Klinik in Switzerland, are convinced of this. In their work supporting people with life-threatening illnesses, they have found that even at the very end of life surprises are possible.

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“Self-empowerment until the end of life,” says Jörg Eberhardt is his aim in palliative medicine and therapy. “This may include saying goodbye, showing gratitude, maybe even talking about forgiveness.” Marion Debus, who is a co-leader of the Medical Section at the Goetheanum, finds that her work with cancer patients has repeatedly shown her how people can use their final phase of life to experience moments of connection with their loved ones. She recalls a patient with advanced pancreatic cancer who had been unresponsive for days. “But later her daughter told me that she had been able to talk to her mother again. Her mother had spoken about a light that she was walking towards and that had sent her back again to see her daughter once more. Only then did she pass away,” says Marion Debus.

For both physicians, supporting people in their final phase of life includes alleviating pain and other physical suffering both with conventional medicines and with drugs and applications used in Anthroposophic Medicine, but without impairing their awareness. However, administering a lethal dose to patients who wish for assisted suicide, a practice that has been legalized in Switzerland some time ago, goes against their principles as medical doctors.

“We take it seriously when someone expresses this wish, but we first try to consider with them whether there may be something left in life to complete,” says Jörg Eberhardt. If patients persist with their request regardless, they are given help with contacting an assisted dying organization. For both doctors it is important, however, that patients can continue developing for as long as possible.

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