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191
28-Year-Old Preparing For Euthanasia Goes Viral For Her Humor In The Face Of Chronic Illness
Trigger warning: explicit description of human euthanasia and death
“I’ll think of you every step of the way, and I will always love you,” Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston famously sang, resonating with millions of people dealing with loss.
A woman has humorously shared her last moments on Earth by showing her love for memes and cats before undergoing euthanasia.
On January 27, Lauren Hoeve took to her X account (formerly known as Twitter) to share the sad news (or the relieving news, according to her experience) that she was living her final hours.
The 28-year-old woman wrote: “This will be my last tweet. Thanks for the love, everyone.”
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28-year-old Lauren Hoeve from the Netherlands posted a final X message before undergoing euthanasia
Image credits: hersenmist (Lauren’s blog)
“I’m going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones. Enjoy a last morbid meme from me.”
Her X post was accompanied by a meme of child wearing a sunglasses, seemingly laying on a dentist’s chair while giving the thumbs up to the camera. A text reading “me getting euthanized” was positioned above the image.
Hundreds of people commented on Lauren’s morbidly funny post, which has been viewed 1.5 million times.
“Cool exit. Goodbye, dear Lauren,” a person penned.
Another X user wrote: “Hello dear Lauren. Have a few loving last hours. Thank you again for everything you have done for our community.”
A separate individual chimed in: “Have a beautiful last few hours,” and another added: “May you find your peace.”
Lauren, who passed away on January 27, decided to share a funny morbid meme in her final moments
Image credits: iamlaurenhannah
This will be my last tweet. Thanks for the love, everyone. I’m going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones. Enjoy a last morbid meme from me. ❤️😎👍 pic.twitter.com/NjtkQdvEvo
— Lauren ✨ (@dutchlauren) January 27, 2024
In a previous post on X, posted on January 25, Lauren had announced that this would be her last Saturday, “January 27th.” She further revealed that her euthanasia had been planned to happen between 1:30 and 2:30 PM local time in the Netherlands.
The Dutch woman had long suffered from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and had been documenting her struggles on social media and on her blog.
In a final blog post, Lauren explained that she had chosen her euthanasia time in the afternoon because “you have all been so excited for this moment with me.”
The Dutch woman had long suffered from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)
Image credits: iamlaurenhannah
She further wrote: “I know from experience how supportive it can be to know when it is happening so that you can reflect on it for a moment or light a candle if you wish.”
Lauren went on to ask for people not to wish her to go on “a good trip,” as she explained: “[If] I was going on a trip (a beach holiday would be nice), but I think I’m going back to what it was like before I was born: no existence, no consciousness. Ultimate peace.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, myalgic encephalomyelitis, otherwise known as chronic fatigue syndrome or simply “ME” and “CFS,” is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems.
People with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed. People with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems.
“I’m going back to what it was like before I was born: no existence, no consciousness. Ultimate peace.” Lauren wrote on her blog
Image credits: iamlaurenhannah
ME/CFS may get worse after people with the illness try to overextend themselves to do as much as they want or need to do. This symptom is called post-exertional malaise (PEM). Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness.
According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from ME/CFS. However, most of them have not been diagnosed.
As of 2023, euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal (law not yet in force, awaiting regulation), Spain, and all six states of Australia.
Euthanasia must not be confused with assisted suicide, which is legal in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, parts of the United States, and all six states of Australia.
You can watch Lauren documenting her last year below:
Image credits: Lauren Hannah
According to the Maxim Institute, euthanasia is when an attending medical or nurse practitioner takes an action with the singular intention of causing a patient’s death. Generally, this is in the form of a lethal injection.
Meanwhile, assisted suicide is when a suicide is intentionally aided by the attending medical or nurse practitioner, and the person self-administers the medication. That is, the medical practitioner will prescribe a lethal drug that the patient will usually take orally.
Many people gathered to wish Lauren finally finding peace
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What do you think ?
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 1 year ago
I'm a 67yr old male and this post made me tear up.............. but it was her choice and to me, that is her right.
June 1 year ago
What is really tearing is that she suffered so much that the only way for her to eventually find peace was to not exist anymore... I can't imagine being in such pain that my joys are not enough to keep going. I have no words...
Load More Replies...
Jennifer Smith 1 year ago
I have this too and I have often thought of how I would end my suffering. I have kids who still need me though. I want to at least wait until they are adults and if I’m still as sick as I am now I’m going to the “dentist”
Philip Rutter 1 year ago
Well, that was incredibly painful- for me. I've lived with ME, up and down, for 35 years or so. There have been years spent nearly paralyzed- then something would shift, and I'd hit 60% functionality- enough so people couldn't tell. I cannot challenge this young woman's decision- only she knows how much she can stand; and I was never so far gone as to be in a wheelchair. Had to use a cane- not nearly so bad. "Miserable" is an entirely inadequate word. Fare well, my dear. You're on your way to rejoin the Cosmos- however that works. Not a question that it does, though, we truly are made of star-stuff, from millions of lightyears; and years away; all recycled. And it's where we all wind up. Wish you well; with a lump in my throat.
Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
My partner has ME, I can’t begin to imagine what I’d do or how I’d cope with her making a decision that’s as difficult as this. I’m totally pro-choice, it’s your life, you should choose how it is lived (within the restrictions you body and mind places upon you) and how it ends. To anyone out there who is struggling, mentally, physically, you may not see it right now but you are valuable.
arthbach 1 year ago
There's a big difference between 'struggling' and 'suffering', especially when you are suffering to the point of wishing permanent release. My feeling is that when a person reaches this point, and is consistent in this over a period of time, then it doesn't matter how valuable they are, their wishes should be respected.
Load More Replies...
Ramirez rachael 1 year ago
I love the video. I know she’s resting in peace now. You should have the right to dictate how you live your life everywhere in the world. That decision must’ve been very difficult to make and seeing that her family was supportive of her is amazing. Having a terrible quality of life is no way to live. I also enjoyed seeing her cats as I have two orange babies myself. I think I will rest a bit easier knowing that you got to choose your own destiny thank you for sharing your journey.
Roan The Demon Kitty 1 year ago
As someone suffering with chronic pain and various health problems, both physical and mental, this made me tear up. There's been so many times I've wished it was legal here, but it's not. So I'll keep up the fight, because I also know I'd be too scared to go through with it. This woman, the same age as me, is so incredibly brave to make this deicision not to suffer anymore. I truly hope she is at peace now.
Robert Benson 1 year ago
People often think of themselves as brave if they say "I would die for you". It takes a lot more strength to live for someone. The daily struggle to continue existing can be exhausting. I hope you have someone or something that helps you endure the struggle.
Load More Replies...
Megan Pippenger 1 year ago
Her case of ME must have been exceptionally severe for her to choose this option. My mom also has ME, so I have seen firsthand how difficult living with it is, but while it is a crippling chronic illness, very few people’s experience of ME is horrible and hopeless enough to choose euthanasia. Not everyone goes into remission, and remission doesn’t always last (my mom got covid and it brought back the ME), but most people learn how to live with it. My heart goes out to this young lady. ME/CFS is characterized by chronic pain and chronic, debilitating exhaustion. I can’t imagine how exhausted she must have been. No amount of sleep can remedy that kind of fatigue, so raise a glass to her finally getting some truly good rest.
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 1 year ago
I'm a 67yr old male and this post made me tear up.............. but it was her choice and to me, that is her right.
June 1 year ago
What is really tearing is that she suffered so much that the only way for her to eventually find peace was to not exist anymore... I can't imagine being in such pain that my joys are not enough to keep going. I have no words...
Load More Replies... Jennifer Smith 1 year ago
I have this too and I have often thought of how I would end my suffering. I have kids who still need me though. I want to at least wait until they are adults and if I’m still as sick as I am now I’m going to the “dentist”
Philip Rutter 1 year ago
Well, that was incredibly painful- for me. I've lived with ME, up and down, for 35 years or so. There have been years spent nearly paralyzed- then something would shift, and I'd hit 60% functionality- enough so people couldn't tell. I cannot challenge this young woman's decision- only she knows how much she can stand; and I was never so far gone as to be in a wheelchair. Had to use a cane- not nearly so bad. "Miserable" is an entirely inadequate word. Fare well, my dear. You're on your way to rejoin the Cosmos- however that works. Not a question that it does, though, we truly are made of star-stuff, from millions of lightyears; and years away; all recycled. And it's where we all wind up. Wish you well; with a lump in my throat.
Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
My partner has ME, I can’t begin to imagine what I’d do or how I’d cope with her making a decision that’s as difficult as this. I’m totally pro-choice, it’s your life, you should choose how it is lived (within the restrictions you body and mind places upon you) and how it ends. To anyone out there who is struggling, mentally, physically, you may not see it right now but you are valuable.
arthbach 1 year ago
There's a big difference between 'struggling' and 'suffering', especially when you are suffering to the point of wishing permanent release. My feeling is that when a person reaches this point, and is consistent in this over a period of time, then it doesn't matter how valuable they are, their wishes should be respected.
Load More Replies... Ramirez rachael 1 year ago
I love the video. I know she’s resting in peace now. You should have the right to dictate how you live your life everywhere in the world. That decision must’ve been very difficult to make and seeing that her family was supportive of her is amazing. Having a terrible quality of life is no way to live. I also enjoyed seeing her cats as I have two orange babies myself. I think I will rest a bit easier knowing that you got to choose your own destiny thank you for sharing your journey.
Roan The Demon Kitty 1 year ago
As someone suffering with chronic pain and various health problems, both physical and mental, this made me tear up. There's been so many times I've wished it was legal here, but it's not. So I'll keep up the fight, because I also know I'd be too scared to go through with it. This woman, the same age as me, is so incredibly brave to make this deicision not to suffer anymore. I truly hope she is at peace now.
Robert Benson 1 year ago
People often think of themselves as brave if they say "I would die for you". It takes a lot more strength to live for someone. The daily struggle to continue existing can be exhausting. I hope you have someone or something that helps you endure the struggle.
Load More Replies... Megan Pippenger 1 year ago
Her case of ME must have been exceptionally severe for her to choose this option. My mom also has ME, so I have seen firsthand how difficult living with it is, but while it is a crippling chronic illness, very few people’s experience of ME is horrible and hopeless enough to choose euthanasia. Not everyone goes into remission, and remission doesn’t always last (my mom got covid and it brought back the ME), but most people learn how to live with it. My heart goes out to this young lady. ME/CFS is characterized by chronic pain and chronic, debilitating exhaustion. I can’t imagine how exhausted she must have been. No amount of sleep can remedy that kind of fatigue, so raise a glass to her finally getting some truly good rest.
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