In July 2024, my partner in life, Mike, passed away using MAID.

In 2017, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and in 2018 he had his bladder and prostate removed. The doctor told him his chances were very high he would not have to deal with it again. In 2022, he started having back pain that eventually got worse and worse, then in October 2023 he got the news that he had bladder cancer again and was considered in stage 4.

I will never forget that phone call or the days after. The fear, confusion, anger, sadness that he (and I) went through. After a last-ditch effort of radiation to try to decrease the pain (which didn’t work), he started looking into MAID. The more he read and watched the more he kept saying when he got to a certain point and could no longer take the pain, he wanted to make the choice when and how he was going to leave this earth. “I’m going on my terms,” and “Cancer isn’t making the choice,” were sentences he said a lot.

We had discussions with doctors and family and friends after that. Not all were supportive, however we were so appreciative of those who were. When Mike was admitted into hospital on June 30, 2024 we knew he was getting close to having to make a decision. The infections were happening frequently and becoming more intense. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a decent night’s sleep and was only able to sleep with a lot of medication.

On July 3, 2024 we had the meeting with the doctor who would perform MAID for Mike and he chose July 10, 2024 to be his last sunrise. In that week, we had mini living wakes with him, sharing his favourite foods, drinks and listening to Pink Floyd.

He died with me, his son, stepmom and sister by his side and left us knowing he was loved. I will never forget how peaceful he left and his parting words: “Goodnight, everyone.”