Providing Medical Assistance in Dying an honour for physician


By Sherri Gallant When Medical Assistance in


Dying (MAID) became legal in Alberta, Dr. Tobias Gelber, a family physician in Pincher Creek, opted in without hesitation. “When the legislation became


available I was a very strong proponent, so I signed up right away to be a provider just to make sure that patients in and around my area have that opportunity,” says Gelber, who has provided MAID for four patients. “I’ve had patient experiences


where I’ve assisted them through the dying process before MAID was made available, and one patient in particular stands out for me. He had bad metastatic cancer. He was a very proud, stoic fellow. There was a tumour moving through his abdominal wall, and this was a very emotionally difficult way for him to go. “In his last few days, he just looked at me and said: ‘Where’s


the switch — how do I turn this off? How do I make it stop?’ His pain was well-controlled, but he was mentally anguished by having this tumour growing through his abdominal wall. It just ached for me that I could not legally assist him, in what was a major time of need for him.” Gelber, an award-winning


physician in practice for more than 15 years, felt a keen sense of unfairness.


“I’m very certain that MAID helps both families and the patients themselves on the journey and spares them the indignity of a tortuous death, and the pain and suffering that goes along with that kind of dying.” One of his own patients turned out to be his first provision; a man with metastatic (spreading) lung cancer who broached the subject one day.


“It was really special to be part of that journey with my own patient, who I knew and had a


6 – Lethbridge Herald Alberta Health Services Seniors’ Directory


long history with. We went through the assessment process together and it was just an incredibly special event when he finally did do it, in his own home.”


Gelber says feelings that come up for him during a MAID provision are akin to those which accompany an event at the other end of life.


“I’ve described it to other people as analogous to the first delivery that you see; bringing a life into the world. I do recall the first delivery that I witnessed, and I was quite emotional. Just seeing the birth of a new baby for a young medical student


“I’m very certain that MAID helps both families and the patients themselves on the journey and spares them the indignity of a tortuous death,” says Dr. Tobias Gelber, a physician provider.


who’s never seen anything like that before, it was quite overwhelming.


“And I had the same sort of emotions going through my mind with this case. I don’t think I’ve done any of these with a dry eye. It’s empathy for the family, and empathy for the patient — and the gratitude that’s being expressed is just all part of it. You get caught up in it.” None of the patients Gelber has provided for have shown any sign of regret or hesitation. “They have all been eager, I would almost say, to get through this. I have not seen a single patient shed a tear. They’re ready. They want it.”


MAID is a controversial topic, with proponents on one side of the table and conscientious objectors on the other. Gelber’s wish is for people to know how Continued on page 7


Photo provided by Dr. Tobias Gelber


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