Thomas A. Sharon, R.N., M.P.H.

Q. I believe my husband was euthanized at the VA hospital. They said he was dying of cancer and put him on morphine for a long while. Then they suddenly stopped the pain medication and he shook violently and died from the withdrawal symptoms. I believe that the doctors stopped the morphine in order to kill him because they knew that he would not survive the withdrawal symptoms. What do you think?

A. I am sorry for your loss. However, you story doesn’t make any sense to me. Aside from the notion the doctors and nurses at any VA hospital would conspire to euthanize a cancer patient being unbelievable, if such a thing were to happen, they would more likely have increased the morphine rather than stop it. Since you stated that your husband shook violently just before he expired, perhaps he suffered a seizure and you misconstrued what you saw.

In any event, although I do not give legal advice, I seriously doubt that any attorney would explore such a claim. If you find too much difficulty in coping with your husband’s passing, I urge you to seek professional grief counseling.

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