Joe Yates
A Missouri mom is travelling to Switzerland to end her life via euthanasia.
79-year-old Gayle Hendrix, of Cape Girardeau, was diagnosed with lupus and interstitial lung disease which has weakened her lungs and is now on oxygen around the clock.
Prior to her diagnosis, she had a very active lifestyle.
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But four years ago, she said that her 'shortness of breath kept getting worse and worse', adding: "Even on flat surfaces, I was breathing heavy."
She is now only able to walk short distances and says that her lung capacity is getting worse.
"My friends will say, ‘But you don’t look or sound or act like somebody who is near death,’ but I am dying and that’s what I want to control." she said to FOX 19.
But the decision to end her own life is not something her daughter Charlene Foeste is keen on, although the mom-of-two has said that ultimately it is her choice.
She told the publication: "My body, my choice, my death. I've had a great life, and I want to have some dignity when I'm going to the next phase."
She added: "It just feels like it's the right thing to do."
The former HR rep, who specialized as a contact tracer, will soon embark on the trip to Switzerland, along with her daughter, where assisted suicide is legal, as it is considered a class A felony in the state of Missouri, according to the Missouri House of Representatives.
Although in some states, such as Oregon, assisted dying is legal, however, patients must have a 'terminal illness that will lead to their death within 6 months', according to Dignity in Dying - along with various other regulations.
But Hendrix says she doesn't want to 'wait that long', adding: "I don’t want to get that sick.”
"I don’t want to get to the point of this is existing, not living." she continued.
On Thursday (September 26), Hendrix's physician-assisted death will take place with Foeste by her side.
In the meantime, she is enjoying her final few days with friends and family.
Although her daughter doesn't approve of the decision, she told the outlet how she will remain supportive of her mom until the end.
"It’s not my choice," she said. "I do love her and support her, and there’s no way on the planet my mom is going to do this alone - no way."
Following her medically induced death, Hendrix will be cremated and her ashes will be sent back home to Foeste - who will return home alone from the trip to Switzerland.
Hendrix says she isn't 'nervous' about dying, adding: "I was just sitting here while I was describing this thinking I sound like a clinician. I don’t sound like someone talking about my own death, but it’s because I’m so, I’m comfortable with my decision.”
"I just am peaceful about my decision, and it’s the right thing for me and my body.” she said.