My friend has cancer and is talking about ending her life

I am in my 80s and an old friend has several health issues.

- Annalisa Barbieri

She will probably die in the not too distant future due to the inoperable cancer she has been aware of for some years.

She has two adult children, with domestic and career problems of their own, but she sees them frequently, and I know them both.

Some time ago, talking to her about a mutual friend with dementia, I said if I were diagnosed with it, I would want to end my life while I was still me. She asked how I would do that, and has brought up the subject once or twice since. I was afraid she would ask me to help her end her life. While I could not bear to see her suffer (her cancer does not currently cause her pain), I'm not sure I would have the strength to do this.

She recently showed me a pill bottle, which she said contained her way out. She was prescribed these tablets and warned not to exceed the dose, as that would prove fatal. She said knowing they are there means she can cope with life with debilitating conditions.