For Hilary, dying on her own terms is an 'easy choice'

The 68-year-old advocate for voluntary assisted dying said after her terminal diagnosis, the decision to end her life was easy.

"I could have either lived in incredible pain or short-term wellbeing," Ms Webster said. "When the crunch came, it was a surprisingly easy choice."

In her final days, Ms Webster from Tamworth in NSW, is on a drive to demystify voluntary assisted dying for eligible regional residents.

"I'm so glad I have this option available to me, one that I hope regional residents, who are facing a similar situation to mine, may want to know more about," Ms Webster said.

Her decision to choose her own death came a few days after specialists discovered a lesion on her brain.

"In July, I started having coordination problems, I found myself walking into walls," Ms Webster said.

"I went to my GP, who identified a neurological impairment and referred me to a specialist in Sydney, who found a lesion on my brain during the scan."

The lesion was a lymphoma; Ms Webster was told she had an average six weeks of life before succumbing to the rare cancer.

"I had lived on my own for 20 years and been self-sufficient, I was facing a long, gruelling chemo regime that ultimately would not cure the lesion, so I chose voluntary assisted dying and I am living pain-free because the brain has no nerves," Ms Webster said.

"After making the decision, I feel surprisingly calm."

Voluntary assisted dying was introduced in NSW two years ago. Since then, up to 398 people have opted for the service.

Patients must initially make the request for voluntary assisted dying.

If accepted, they then must pass two assessments before being authorised to take the fatal substance.

For Ms Webster, the process took a fortnight of interviews and training to administer the fatal substance when the time comes.

"I am now in my seventh week of life, and while I know I won't be around for Christmas, I make every day count," she said.

"It's like living with an unexploded time bomb in my brain, but now I've come to terms with dying, every day is a bonus."

Ms Webster has organised her own funeral and gone through a "test run" of taking the fatal substance with her husband, who will prepare the real drug.

A bonus is giving away her inheritance while she is alive and seeing her family enjoy their acquisitions.

"In the six weeks since being diagnosed, I have crammed my time with people and given away $600,000, being my super and savings," Ms Webster said. "It's been a joy to see my nieces and nephews buy what they really want and sharing that with them."

Another joy has been reaching out to friends and former schoolmates, from Tamworth Primary School and Oxley High, through social media.

"I posted a farewell letter and the response was fantastic, a lot of old friends have reconnected and we have shared memories and laughter," Ms Webster said.

She is unsure of the exact time of her death.

"My family wants to be with me, and my husband will prepare the drug," Ms Webster said.

In the meantime, with the few days of life remaining, Ms Webster remains upbeat and determined to advocate for voluntary assisted dying for those who are eligible.

"I consider myself fortunate that I am able to choose how and when I die," she said.

Voluntary Assisted Dying team member Margot Woods said those wanting more information should contact the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Navigation Service.