Zena Miller
Zena Miller, from East Lothian, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer in 2021. Zena received fantastic palliative care at home, then in the hospital where she had worked. Her daughter Stacey recalls how her mum was beyond the reach of even the best care, and she endured extreme suffering as she died.
“Mum was extremely strong-willed and fiercely independent. Two weeks before her death, she said she was ready to go. None of us could have anticipated the suffering, indignity and inhumanity she would endure.
She received amazing palliative care, but this did not take away her suffering.
For six days she was unable to move or communicate, yet remained conscious. She effectively starved to death. She was skeletal in appearance, literally unrecognisable. Blood clots in her lungs made her gurgle on her own fluids. We didn’t know how aware she was in those final days until the morning she died. We played her favourite songs, one of which made her cry.
My dad and I have PTSD from what we witnessed.
I know for certain she would have chosen an assisted death. I wish she had dignity, comfort, and choice. I wish she could have said a proper goodbye.”