An Aussie woman has ended her own life under the Euthanasia laws of NSW after years of life with a chronic illness.
Kay Henderson, 47, died on Friday afternoon due to the option of voluntary assisted dying (VAD).
Mrs Henderson, who lived in Coffs Harbor, suffered from the Marfan syndrome for years prior to her decision to end her own life.
The debilitating disease is one genetic disorder that hinders Development of connective tissue that supports bones, muscles and organs.
Mrs Henderson was diagnosed with the disease early in her life after she started to feel pain as a teenager.
But in 2019 this pain became constant and unbearable.
“My quality of life is … actually nothing,” said Mrs. News.com.au for her death.
'My days would be just to wake up, take my morning medication, feed the cats, go back to bed and go to sleep. Then I wake up, take the nocturnal medicines, feed the cats, go back to bed, watch TV and fall asleep. That is almost my daily day. '
Kay Henderson, 47, documented her trip to her voluntary euthanasia that took place on Friday at 1.23 p.m.
Mrs Henderson had thought about it for years prior to her decision to introduce the NSW VAM program, but it was only certain that this was recently what she wanted.
It was her doctor who told her about the option to peacefully end a few weeks before she went on.
“He looked at me and said: I haven't seen you for a few months, and I can see that you just look at you that your life is totally different now,” she said.
The pain he saw her endure and the struggle that life had become for her is what the doctor insisted to recommend the extreme step.
After he had spoken to her through the trial, Mrs. Henderson said 'Yes, give me the [phone] Number, let's do it '.
She mentally prepared for what would have been one of the most discouraging days of someone's life, but as it got closer, she said it became easier.
Mrs. Henderson went swimming and listened to her favorite music with family the day before her procedure.
Her family hired a large beach chair to keep her in the ocean and they bought a Bluetooth speaker so that she could listen to the music while she was in the water.
Mrs. Henderson, who lived in Coffs Harbor, suffered from the Marfan syndrome for years
On Friday morning, Mrs. Henderson's loved ones met in the house to say goodbye.
They bought fruit and sandwiches when they started to arrive at 10 a.m.
'We will sit and talk about our favorite memories, what we will miss. There will be many hugs and tears, “said Mrs. Henderson on Thursday.
'I have not been so emotional yet, I only cried two or three times. But I am pretty sure that I will walk around that day with a box with tissues. '
The doctor arrived after lunch and she became comfortable in bed.
While they prepared for the procedure, Mrs. Henderson asked that they were playing her favorite song, Cold Chisel's Flame trees.
The procedure itself lasted between 15 and 20 minutes and while it was going on, Henderson was locked with her mother and nieces hand in hand while friends were at the end of the bed while she breathing her last breathing.
Despite the fact that Mrs Henderson only had six months to live by doctors, she still had to jump through different hoops to be approved for the VAD program.
Two doctors came to visit Mrs. Henderson on different days to ensure that she was 100 percent sure with her decision.
After they were satisfied with the determination of Mrs. Henderson, both approved her position in the program.
Even after that, however, Mrs. Henderson was still made to wait a few days before she could make a final call to confirm that she was determined in her decision.
During the call, she just said that she “wanted to die peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.” The next day she was told that her lock was confirmed in the program.
“I was excited, that may sound funny. But I was excited. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders, “she said.
Mrs. Henderson shared her journey to the procedure on Tiktok, where many commentators were supportive, while others were negative.
Some people had begged her not to 'kill herself', but Mrs. Henderson never let her reach it.
The voluntary assisted dying act was adopted in NSW in May 2022. Those who are eligible have been able to apply since November 2023.
