Hello Bob.
Thank you for this thought-provoking and interesting question, which for some (including me) might also have some tangential relevance to life with a stoma.
The question doesn't include the fact that we all know with some certainty that we are going to die of something. We won't be told how long we'll have to live, or what our quality of life will be until the day comes, but death is pretty certain.
My first contribution to this discussion would be via the rhyme ‘Life & Death' below:
LIFE AND DEATH.
I SOMETIMES PAUSE AND WONDER WHY.
I'VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO DIE.
PERHAPS MY TIME HAS FLOWN TOO FAST.
TO PONDER IF MY LIFE WOULD LAST.
I'VE TRIED TO LIVE WITHOUT REGRET.
AND I WILL DIE WITH FEWER YET.
AND I EXPECT TO DIE ONE DAY.
WHILST DOING WHAT I DO – MY WAY.
I'VE LIVED MY LIFE BY MY OWN RULES.
NOT BY THE FADS OF EXPERT FOOLS.
SO EVEN WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE.
MY PRINCIPLES WILL LINGER ON.
B. WITHERS (03-02.1998)
(in: Contemplation 2010)
Fortunately, I have already contemplated this subject very carefully and at some length, so I have a fairly comprehensive answer, which is far too long to repeat here, but is documented in my book ‘SOD: Self-Organised Death'(2018).
The title of the book somewhat gives away the short answer to your question, which is, it would not matter whether someone told me I was going to die or not, because I already know that fact.
Hence: your presentation of a choice between two alternatives does not entirely fit with my own perception of the concept.
I believe that ‘my' life should be one with definable quality, not defined by quantity. Thus, if the quality of my life deteriorates beyond an ill-defined point, then I fully intend to end it in a peaceful and painless method of my own choosing. This concept is encapsulated in the verse below:
Self -Organised Living And Reflecting- SOLAR
Self -Organised Dying - SOD.
Self-Organised is how I am
throughout my life ad nauseam.
So as my time for death draws near.
why should others interfere?
Euthanasia's another name
to wit, a concept I acclaim.
To some, the concept may seem odd
Self-Organised Dying - in short, is SOD.
SOLAR in my recollection
is Self-Organised Living And Reflection.
All my life this was my creed
so in death, it's what I need.
SOLAR's for life and SOD's for dying
so when at last I give up trying.
Upon my grave, I hope it says
under this SOD, another lays.
B. Withers 2008
(In: SOD: ‘Self-Organised Death' 2018)
I hope my answer goes some way to addressing your question but it comes with a caveat, which is that: The way I feel about this subject has never meant to be evangelical. I believe that each individual ought to think these things through for themselves and come up with their own answers.
Best wishes
Bill