NSW man’s final words before death by assisted suicide

Today, this NSW man will walk into a hospital to legally end his life. Before he dies, he has “one final point” he wants us all to hear.

Warning: Distressing

Scott Hollingshed is going to die today.

The Central Coast man is just hours away from walking into a NSW hospital where he will end his life under new voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws in the state.

Under the current legalisation, voluntary assisted dying is only available for NSW residents older than 18 who have an advanced illness or disease that will cause death in at least 12 months and is causing them suffering that cannot be relieved.

They must also not be under duress or pressure from another person, have decision-making capacity and show they have had an enduring request to pass using VAD.

In Scott’s case, the 58-year-old is living with stage four lung cancer. He was only diagnosed in June, but despite being given six months to live, his condition is rapidly deteriorating.

Doctors said he would not survive chemotherapy and other treatments only offered a sliver of hope.

As his quality of life slips through his fingers, Scott has decided he wants to “pass with dignity”, and has the full support of his loved ones.

But before he enters hospital for the last time on Friday afternoon, he has shared a final poignant message with friends, family and strangers in an emotional video on his Facebook page.

“Good morning on my last morning, today’s the day,” he said.

“I’m walking into hospital at 12 o’clock, so I’ve got a few hours for my close friends to turn up, to be there for my beautiful future wife-to-be in the next life, and I guess to say goodbye.

“But I’ve got one final point to get across... just to love one another and be there for one another and f**king give a f**k.”

Scott will die today – and he has a message he wants you to hear before he goes. Picture: Scott Hollingshed

His heartbreaking plea has been well met, with many thanking Scott for his words of advice.

“Thank you for teaching me to be brave,” one wrote.

“You’ve got this – you’re an incredible human,” another said.

Just two months ago, Scott had been on a day out on the water with his partner when he began experiencing chest pains.

“I’ve had heart attacks before but I knew it wasn’t my heart,” he told 7News.

Shortly after, Scott began coughing up blood, and doctors confirmed he had lung cancer.

He tried to make the most of the time he had left, but Scott’s pain quickly intensified – and not even strong medication helped ease his suffering.

“It got to the point where I couldn’t even put my socks on and my missus used to get down on her hands and knees and put my socks on,” he explained.

“I know people do things for people they love but that broke my heart seeing her do that.”

The 58-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer in June. Picture: Scott Hollingshed

His condition has rapidly deteriorated. Picture: Scott Hollingshed

After seeing his own father “wither away” in a hospice, Scott decided to invoke his rights to access VAD, which were only introduced in November.

“I’m not scared of dying. It happens to everyone,” he told the outlet, stating the only person he was worried about was his partner.

“She’s been through so much and now she’s going through this. It’s going to break her, that’s the only thing that scares me.”

While his life is about to be cut short, Scott said he’s also taking comfort in sharing his cancer journey online, which he began doing shortly after his diagnosis.

“There are good things in life, even when things get bad,” he told 7News.

“Everyone takes so much for granted ... but it’s the little things ... like sitting under a tree and watching the birds or fishing.

“It’s a sensation and when you’re dead, you don’t get them.”

He has been labelled ‘brave’ and ‘inspiring’ by friends, family and strangers. Picture: Scott Hollingshed

Friends have rallied to support Scott in the lead up to his death, with one launching a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral costs.

It currently stands at almost $2000.

“We have all been watching this man do amazing videos on Facebook…. for me, and I bet all of us, he’s an inspiration every time we see him talk,” his friend Kellie Lott wrote.

“He is trying his hardest to pass with dignity and I’m sure we all agree that if he had less to worry about for him and his partner it will make his last days much more peaceful.”

Originally published as NSW man’s final words before death by assisted suicide