WeHo Woman Whose Husband Has Brain Tumor Reacts After San Diego Judge Indicates He'll Dismiss Right-To-Die Suit

WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A terminally ill woman in Valencia had another setback Friday after a judge in San Diego indicated that he would dismiss a lawsuit filed on behalf of Christy O'Donnell, who says she wants to die with dignity.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Gregory Pollack heard from both sides, but said: "If new law is made it should be by the Legislature or by a ballot measure," according to the Associated Press.

O'Donnell has Stage IV lung cancer, which has spread to her brain, liver, spine, and rib.

The single mother and former police officer joined other right-to-die advocates in the lawsuit, asking the court to impose an injunction on the current law, which bans doctors from giving legal doses of medicine.

O'Donnell says she plans to appeal, but doesn't expect to live long enough to see it through. She is devastated, reported Tom Reopelle of KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO.

"For any judge, for anyone, for any law or legislator to tell me that my daughter has to watch me die painfully, that's wrong," she said.

Pollack said he'll issue a written ruling next week.

Other families have loved ones in the same position.

"Angry. So angry," said Leslie Wasserman of West Hollywood in reacting to the court decision. "You don't understand it until you're living it."

Wasserman's husband Steven was a healthy and successful physical therapist when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year at the age of 49.

"We're high school sweethearts. We've been together 32 years and married 22 years," she said.

Steven has undergone five surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation but an infection means there is nothing else the doctors can do for him.

"When he says to me, 'What can we do?' I have to stand there and say, 'There's nothing we can do. I can make you comfortable. I will always make sure you're not in pain,' " she said.

Leslie and their two daughters hoped there would be more options after the medical treatment options ran out.

"That's horrible because they should have a right to decide what to do about their own life instead of being bedridden and having caregivers take care of you 7 days a week," she said.

The family is now trying to keep Steven comfortable.

"I not only feel bad for my husband but I feel for every patient out there, no matter what they have, that they shouldn't have to go through this," she said. "It's terrible and they should have a right to decide what they want to do."

Doctors cannot say how much longer the family will have with Steven, but they plan to cherish every moment.