The late Yuri Hayashi, ALS patient consulted with physicians as she thought about what to do with her ‘remaining time’

By Barrier Free Japan

August. 8 2020

It was reported on Thursday 24 July 2020, that two doctors were arrested by the Kyoto Prefectural Police for allegedly murdering a woman who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, at the patient’s request. 

The deceased, a woman aged 51 named Yuri Hayashi, ran a blog and a Twitter account.

In a blog titled ‘Remaining time’, posted on July 10 2018, Hayashi starts by saying she is offering a “reply to a patient I met through this blog here.”

Hayashi goes on to talk about about a consultation with her physicians:

“It was in the hospital meeting room that I was sentenced to ALS. I asked a friend who I wanted to listen to with me, but only my relative was allowed to enter the meeting room. (This is also a strange story.)

I was listening to the three doctors in front of me because I knew what the disease was and what kind of disease it was, but I still remember the doctor’s voice “5 to 7 years”.

Last question? When I asked,

“Is it best to spend as little time as possible to keep the pace going forward, or is it better to work and do something even if it puts a strain on your body?”

The doctor answered without hesitation.

“It is better to do what you can while you are doing it.”

As soon as I heard the answer, I cried tears.

This is because the fact that one’s own life is being robbed is becoming a reality and attacks.

After that, I traveled to Hawaii in a wheelchair and made various memories such as driving, swimming, hot springs, and so on.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue my work until now.

That doctor’s answer may have been a personal opinion, but I’m glad I heard it.

So I want to think about what I can do now with another part of my mind, while frightened by the fear of illness, before becoming a body like me.

There should still be a lot to be done.

I still have a lot to do.”