I went through this situation last year with my father, who eventually passed away. He had gone for major heart surgery and suffered a stroke to the brain during the procedure. He went into a coma and never really came out of it. At one point, he did start coming out though, but never completely. He was on life support systems and was never able to breathe on his own.
The doctors came to us repeatedly and told us that there was nothing more they could do for him. The decision was really up to my mother to make. He was definately suffering and my sister and I knew that this was it for him. However, my mother was not going to pull the plug on her husband of 44 years. It was really hard on my sister and I because he had told us so many times that if he was to ever be in that situation, he would not want to be kept on life support. At one point, one of his legs had to be amputated also. I did not agree with my mother's decision to proceed with the amputation, but because she is my mother, I had to close my mouth and support her.
All I could do was to pray about the situation. I hated to see my father suffer like that, knowing that he had always said he did not want that. However, we had to allow my mother to make the decisions. There were so many people around us that tried to convince my sister and I that we should go over our mother's head in the situation (including her pastor!).
You know, God will have is way though. Remember, "in the midst of the storm", he says "I'm God and I will have my way".
We had to leave this situation with God. After 2 1/2 months in intensive care, my father went on to be with God on September 29, 2000. My father's earthly body has now been exchanged with a heavenly body that is no longer susceptible to sickness and suffering.
God has a pre-destined plan for our lives. When he's ready for us to go, he's going to take us. All we need to do is be prepared because it may happen at any time.
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