In this very brief letter to the editor, the author outlines the case of an elderly man who sought counselling concerning euthanasia. Several months of nondirective discussions followed. When a new life-threatening symptom was diagnosed, the patient was able to convince his doctors to perform surgery even though the prognosis was very poor. The patient died & thus achieved his wish of expediting his death. Dr. Schnaper presents this case not to blame anyone, but as a matter of clinical concern.