Lonny Shavelson
A Chosen Death:
Selection of Photographs
The New York Times “Week in Review.” Sunday, January 5, 1997.
Before the Supreme Court hearing on medical aid in dying (then called “assisted suicide”).
Mary Bowen Hall
Mary Hall, an author in Santa Rosa, California, tried every treatment for her spreading breast cancer. This portrait was one month before the rapid deterioration that led her to take medications to die.
Mary during a final chemotherapy in an attempt to control her cancer.
Mary Hall in the hospital as complications set in from the treatments to treat her spreading breast cancer.
Mary Hall begins the rapid deterioration that led her to take medications to die.
May Hall during the rapid deterioration that led her to take medications to die.
Mary Hall hugs her son on the day she takes medications to die.
Renee Sahm
Renee Sahm after diagnosis with brain cancer, puffy from steroid treatment to shrink the tumors.
Renee, after surgery for her brain cancer.
Renee Sahm, a rare spread of brain cancer into her neck.
Renee Sahm, a pilot, becomes delirious from treatments and pulls at her headboard to keep her plane from crashing.
Renee Sahm in the hospital, recovered from her delirium.
Renee Sahm went home from the hospital after recovering from her delirium. When her pain increased and mobility ended, she took medications to die.
