• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Woman choosing to end her own life after cancer diagnosis reveals how she will spend her final hours

Home> News> Health

Published 14:46 1 Sep 2025 GMT+1

Woman choosing to end her own life after cancer diagnosis reveals how she will spend her final hours

Roseana Spangler-Sims planned to end her life on August 31 using California's Medical Aid in Dying law

Liv Bridge

Liv Bridge

A woman with cancer has revealed what she plans for her final hours on Earth before ending her own life.

Roseana Spangler-Sims from California received the devastating diagnosis that she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer almost 18 months ago.

For the past year, the mom-of-one took on an intensive round of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but a scan revealed that her cancer was continuing to spread.

In June, the 72-year-old decided to take matters into her own hands, telling PEOPLE that she planned on taking a fatal dose of medication on Sunday (August 31) under California's Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) law.

Advert

Before taking the fatal dose, she sat down with the outlet to reveal her plans for her final days on Earth, which included a dose of magic mushrooms.

Roseana revealed she had some big plans for her final days on Earth (Roseana Spangler-Sims)
Roseana revealed she had some big plans for her final days on Earth (Roseana Spangler-Sims)

Roseana spent months planning the final day, giving away all her possessions and preparing to donate her body to scientific research at the University of California, San Diego.

Despite the hefty prep, Roseana said: "I'm ready to go. I'm more at peace than I've ever been."

Advert

Rosena moved out of her Vista apartment on August 18 to spend her final two weeks near Palomar Mountain, north of San Diego, with her family, son, Shawn Cisneros, his wife Cindy and Cindy's twin sister, Sandi.

The family took drives together through the forests and have sifted through boxes of photographs and other memories from over the years.

They also threw her 'living wake' which saw dozens of friends and family gather to celebrate her life.

Then on her final day, Roseana revealed exactly what she planned to eat - a light breakfast of papaya and mango, as her stomach can't be full before consuming the fatal dose of medication.

Advert

Roseana (right) with her son, Shawn, and his wife, Cindy (Roseana Spangler-Sims)
Roseana (right) with her son, Shawn, and his wife, Cindy (Roseana Spangler-Sims)

As of 11am, her death doula Melissa McClave arrived to help Roseana and her family through the end-of-life process. Apsilocybin facilitator was also present with a ritual to use the psychedelic drug.

McClave explained the ritual involves a 'smudging ceremony' with sage followed by the administration of a microdose of magic mushrooms.

"It will be closer to Catholic last rites than it would be to going to a Phish concert," she said.

Advert

Roseana also said she was looking forward to the ritual, stating it would help her 'bring myself to that peaceful point.'

"And it's also about feeling one with nature," she added.

At 5pm, Roseana said she would take anti-nausea medication to facilitate the MAID medication 'goes in and stays down', a combination of sedatives, narcotics, and white grape juice, which she will take an hour later at around 6pm.

"I want it to go as quickly as possible. I don't want the kids to sit here and look at me half dead for too long. I want to be out," she said.

Advert

Roseana planned on taking the solution while in a hospital bed on the decking of the rental home, sitting beside hummingbird feeders and a pine tree overlooking a mountain forest.

Friends and family at her 'living wake' (Roseana Spangler-Sims)
Friends and family at her 'living wake' (Roseana Spangler-Sims)

"I've never been a fearful person. That just ain't in my DNA," she remarked not long before her passing. "I do get anxious about everything being okay for these guys," she said, gesturing to her family.

McClave said Roseana may have to take a grape popsicle after taking the MAID medication to soothe any burning from the medicine but reassured her family that within a few minutes, she'll experience a 'euphoric feeling' before slipping into a peaceful coma.

Advert

"I can't wait to be numb," Roseana added. "I can't wait to make my body just melt away. For months and months it's been constant pain. It will be a relief.

"I feel ready to fade," she continued. "I believe I'm going off to a peaceful plane of existence. It's like going into another dimension. Hopefully I've served the greater good enough that I can get to that peaceful place, what people think of as heaven.

"I don't know if I can communicate with this dimension or not. I'm just looking forward to the adventure. And I want to leave you guys feeling like this is the next thing for me."

Featured Image Credit: Roseana Spangler-Sims

Topics: Cancer, California, Drugs, Health

Liv Bridge
Liv Bridge

Liv Bridge is a digital journalist who joined the UNILAD team in 2024 after almost three years reporting local news for a Newsquest UK paper, The Oldham Times. She's passionate about health, housing, food and music, especially Oasis...

X

@livbridge

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
  • LADbible Stories/YouTube
    6 hours ago

    Niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige explains horrifying alleged punishment if you ‘mess up’ in church

    Jenna Miscavige left the Church of Scientology in 2005

    News
  • Getty Stock Image
    6 hours ago

    People left terrified after car owner finds seemingly harmless item underneath vehicle that could have a sinister purpose

    The Redditor claimed they'd found the malicious device in a hole situated in their tire dust cover

    News
  • Getty Stock Image
    6 hours ago

    Doctor reveals what really happens to your body on ‘No Nut November’ and warns about worrying side effects

    No Nut November involves abstaining from sex and masturbation for 30 days

    News
  • Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
    6 hours ago

    Heartbreaking reason Adam Sandler sends Jennifer Aniston flowers on a specific day every year

    The Friends icon has been candid about her health journey in the past

    Celebrity
  • Selma Blair reveals the symptoms that doctors dismissed her whole life before MS diagnosis
  • Woman given 3-6 months to live after 'most preventable cancer' diagnosis urges everyone to do one thing that could save your life
  • Mom, 36, felt ‘crazy’ before cancer diagnosis after common symptoms were dismissed for months
  • 'Fit and healthy' doctor ignored his own cancer symptoms for months and tragically passed away three weeks after diagnosis