Washington Woman Helps Parents Die On The Same Day

A Los Angeles couple recently died on the same day thanks to medical aid and the help of their daughter in Washington. The woman had previously advocated for her parents’ right to die. However, discussing the situation, she also described what happened as a “painful paradox.”

Things Took A Turn For The Couple Back In 2018 After A Diagnosis

Corinne Gregory Sharpe, a private chef from Port Ludlow, Washington, always had a strong bond with her parents, Eva and Druse Neumann. The two lived in Los Angeles, California, for years. After retiring, they then moved to Washington to be closer to their family.

Back in 2021, Corinne helped her parents say goodbye to this world, dying on the same day, with the help of medical aid. Four years after their deaths, she has touched on their journey.

Emergency room - Pexels — Emergency room – Pexels

As noted by People, Corinne described the story as a “painful paradox.” Reportedly, despite an active lifestyle, Eva had a long history of heart-related issues. In 2018, she was diagnosed with aortic stenosis, in which blood flow to the heart becomes obstructed.

In time, Eva shared what was going on with her daughter. Corinne shared, “She sat me down in a restaurant and it sort of felt like a mom sitting the daughter down to tell her that Santa isn’t real. But instead she told me something that was terribly real. The doctors basically gave her 18 months, maybe two years to live without a pretty invasive surgery.”

According to Corinne, her mother did not want to undergo surgery, wanting instead to let nature take its course. Things took a turn for the worse in 2021 when Eva had a bad fall, leaving her hospitalized. Around this time, Druse also began to face stroke-like symptoms. After a few medical tests, Corinne noted, “So now I have two parents in medical care.”

When a doctor suggested hospice, Corinne initially didn’t believe it. However, she began to feel, “But it started to make sense… the doctors at this point are understanding quality of life. I mean, it was okay, but it wasn’t really living.”

After entering hospice in June 2021, Eva decided to pursue medical aid in dying (MAID). She had the option through Washington’s Death with Dignity Act. Unlike euthanasia, patients themselves administer prescribed drugs to end their lives instead of a doctor.

Druse Didn’t Want To Go On Without His Wife

Druse was originally distraught, not wanting to live without Eva. Eventually, he decided to end his life alongside his wife. Corinne looked into the matter to help her father qualify for hospice, noting that it was a “surreal” experience. Eventually, he qualified due to his past mini-strokes.

Corinne noted she was about to lose both her parents at once. As she explained, “This is, in some ways, the ultimate painful paradox because the last thing you want to do is see your mom go, but yet here you are, helping your mom go. It’s tough.”

Corinne took it upon herself to spend as much time with her family as she still could. This included hosting family dinners and sharing childhood stories.

The Family Eventually Settled On Friday The 13th For The Couple’s Last Day

On July 27th, the day before Corinne’s birthday, the lethal medications were delivered. She then talked to her parents about a “death date,” joking that she didn’t want to ruin any birthdays or holidays. They eventually settled on Friday, August 13, 2021. Corinne decided to honor her parents with a special dinner. As she noted, “We called it the Last Happy Hour instead of the Last Supper.”

“I made my dad’s favorite appetizers, and we sat around and had our glasses of wine and my dad went to bed. My mom and I sat around on the deck and then she crawled into her bed. And I asked if I could lay down and sleep with her for a little bit…It was perfect.”

Corinne recalled, “The counselors prepared the cocktail, we sat around and shared some private moments together. They got to sit and hold hands with each other and talk before they were able to take the meds. We put music on and they took the cocktail. Then we poured a glass of wine and we had a final toast. About 10 minutes after they drank it, they went to sleep.”

Corinne noted that the process could take a while, but her parents died within the hour. While wanting to be there for her parents in their final moments, she shared she eventually “just sobbed my brains out.” She noted, “They’re going somewhere where we can’t join them and it’s just, it’s mind boggling.”

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