Chantal Sébire

Everybody in France knows who Chantal Sébire was and how she died. Possibly the story has reached other countries as well. I've accumulated a rather large collection of articles on the case, but I will start with the end of her story as reported by Le Figaro:

Chantal Sébire, the 52-year woman afflicted with an incurable illness who wanted to be euthanized, was found dead Wednesday evening at her home in Plombières-les-Dijon. Her death was confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior. (...)

Chantal Sébire was suffering from a metastasizing tumor of the sinuses and nasal cavities. This incurable illness is very rare - 200 cases reported throughout the world in 20 years - and causes pain described by Chantal Sébire as agonizing.

This mother of three had requested the right "to die with dignity", but the courts had nonetheless rejected her request.

On Wednesday afternoon Nicolas Sarkozy had met with Chantal Sébire's doctor, Emmanuel Debost, and had asked Professor Munnich, an adviser, for a "new opinion" from a "group of health professionals at the highest level."

Note: At this point I will backtrack to an earlier post from Le Figaro dated February 26:

A mother of three, disfigured by a rare disease, incurable and degenerative (évolutive), has launched an appeal for help from the media and the president of the Republic to "see her through her death in a dignified manner."

The Leonetti Law of April 22, 2005, on the rights of sick persons, is oriented toward respect for the terminally ill, but does not authorize euthanasia in France, unlike other European countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium or Switzerland.

Chantal Sébire, a former teacher residing in Plombières-les-Dijon, learned in 2002 that she was afflicted with esthesioneuroblastoma, a growth in the sinuses and nasal cavities. As the tumor grows it causes a spectacular and irreversible disfiguring of the face accompanied by atrocious suffering, according to Mme Sébire, who spoke at length.

"In 2000 I lost my sense of smell and taste, then the tumor grew and devoured my jaws before attacking my eyes. I lost my sight in October 2007, all of this in atrocious pain that lasted sometimes four hours," she explained without self-pity.

Refusing to be placed "in a second state with medication that does not help the suffering", Mme Sébire asks only "to be allowed to go serenely" with the consent of her children. "You would not allow an animal to endure what I am enduring," she affirms, denouncing the Leonetti law as "incomplete" since it does not permit euthanasia. (...)

Note: Her comment about a "second state" refers to some sort of sedation. But there is some ambiguity because it is said that she had the medication necessary to end her own life but refused to do so alone, asking for a third party to help her.

It should also be pointed out that in the opinion of some doctors she was not adequately treated with pain medication. In the opinion of others - and here is the crucial point of this story - her individual case will be used by the "death-with-dignity" lobby as an example to impel lawmakers to legalize euthanasia.

Some members of the government expressed opinions on the case. Minister of Justice Rachida Dati declared: "Medicine must save lives. Personally I feel that doctors are not there to administer lethal substances." Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner, himself a doctor, declared that the Leonetti law was incomplete and that the former teacher should not have to commit suicide secretly. Prime Minister Fillon took a more philosophical stand saying: "I think we must have the humility to recognize that society cannot answer all these questions."

I could not bring myself to post the photo of her. Those interested can click the first Figaro link above.

For French readers there are at least two fascinating discussions of this case and its possible repercussions on the issue of euthanasia. First Liberté Politique discusses the publicity surrounding Mme Sébire, and quotes Jean Léonetti, sponsor of the 2005 law that condemns excessive and desperate attempts to treat incurables, but pleads for palliative care and anti-pain medication:

"The debate must not be initiated or reopened because of individual cases, in an emotional atmosphere... One terrible case can trigger a simplistic solution. We must differentiate euthanasia, assisted suicide, and an appeal for help from those suffering."

And an essay by Catholic writer Tugdual Derville analyzes the way this case had been set up and carefully exploited to stir public support for euthanasia.

I'm still not certain how she died. Her doctor was present. Did he witness her own suicide, or did he administer the medication? If so had he received authorization to do so after that meeting with Sarkozy?

Last but not least, according to the Mayo Clinic, the tumor can be treated, though it may be difficult to cure. It appears that Mme Sébire was not diagnosed early enough to stop the tumor's spread. She began suffering in 2000, but wasn't diagnosed until 2002.