THIS STORY has made he news the past few days. Its going on at the very hospital i work at. The good news is that most end of life decisions never come to this because the family respects the patient’s wishes. When this does come up as it has at times in the past it often makes the headlines.

This case points out two things I think. FIrst it shows how completely irrational religious believers can be. This father told his daughter she was going to go to hell for the decision she made. It seems incomprehensible to me that any parent would ever want those to be among the last words their daughter heard from them.

Secondly and more importantly to everyone is it reminds us all how important it is to have a living will and a health care proxy which names a person you trust to carry out your wishes. Both documents are easy to find online for anyone who hasn’t already filled one out. You don’t need a lawyer, but you may want to go over the details with your doctor so they also know what your wishes are.

I sent you a PM about a nightmare I was involved in. I hope your case doesn’t devolve down the same pathway. 

asanta - 05 October 2012 04:32 PM

I sent you a PM about a nightmare I was involved in. I hope your case doesn’t devolve down the same pathway. 

This post, Asanta, is the equivavlent of whispering in the real life. We know you said something, but we don’t know what it is.

It seems to me that this is more about one’s right to choose medical intervention or not.  If this woman was of sound mind, there should have been no question regarding her right to decide whether to have tubes or other “supportive” medical measures intruding upon her body.

You’re absolutely right but thats the wedge that the opposition always uses. They either claim the legal guardian is mistaken about the patients wishes if the patient is unable to express their wishes or they claim the patient is NOT of sound mind. Thats the argument this woman’s parents are using that allowed them to hold things up pending a court hearing.

As an update the court sided with the woman and against her parents late this afternoon clearing the way for her to make her own choice in the matter. For the moment she has chosen to do nothing but at least its her choice now.

Make sure you have your living will and health care proxy completed and make sure the people around you understand in clear terms what you want so there is as little room for guess work as possible.

George - 05 October 2012 05:04 PM

asanta - 05 October 2012 04:32 PM

I sent you a PM about a nightmare I was involved in. I hope your case doesn’t devolve down the same pathway. 

This post, Asanta, is the equivavlent of whispering in the real life. We know you said something, but we don’t know what it is.

I’m sorry. 

What a shame; her parents just can’t let go.

On a somewhat related note, it seems that in these situations, when the dying person is a woman, there is more grief and drama involved.

mid atlantic - 05 October 2012 11:22 PM

On a somewhat related note, it seems that in these situations, when the dying person is a woman, there is more grief and drama involved.

  Nah, it’s because women are usually nicer than us males.  I figure no one would bother trying to keep me alive.  Rather, they’d be saying, “Please, please, can I be the one to pull the plug?”

Occam

Occam. - 06 October 2012 03:25 PM

mid atlantic - 05 October 2012 11:22 PM

On a somewhat related note, it seems that in these situations, when the dying person is a woman, there is more grief and drama involved.

  Nah, it’s because women are usually nicer than us males.

  WHOA!!!!!!  I have to chalk this up to generational differences.

mid atlantic - 08 October 2012 03:18 AM

  WHOA!!!!!!  I have to chalk this up to generational differences.

Second.