This is a story that was broadcast Thu 7 Mar 2024 on ABC Radio Conversations.
A few years ago, Pauline McGrath came home from work and found the lights on and the dog already fed. This was something which had never happened in her 30-year marriage to David, a director of paediatric medicine at Queensland Children’s Hospital. Straight away, Pauline asked David, “Who has died?”
Her beloved husband told her he had a brain tumour, and that voluntary assisted dying was going to be an option for Queenslanders in six months.
This moment began a heartbreaking but ultimately empowering path for David, Pauline and their family.
David’s wish was for Pauline to speak openly about their family experience. So that’s what she’s been doing while grieving her husband, supporting her two daughters, and embarking on the next chapter of her own life.
Listen to Death with Love and Dignity at this link.
Content warning: this episode of Conversations contains discussion of death and dying.
Die-alogue Cafe 