Weigh In: Life Support

MereMere21 · #1 10-15-2003, 10:28 AM

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...o.55a5146.html

This is just one example I saw recently. There have been hundreds of thousands of cases over the past 10 years or so when the courts had to get involved with life support cases. Do you believe its murder or its carrying out the person's wishes?

Discuss!

smiley21 · #2 10-15-2003, 10:31 AM

respect the person's wishes. if they are on life support and they want to be taken off, dont make them go through that suffering

Imthachamp · #3 10-15-2003, 10:37 AM

murder

mullet81 · #4 10-15-2003, 11:04 AM

I believe that every person has a right to decide when they want to die. That's why I encourage everyone to have a living will so that your wishes to be on life support or not can be carried through.

smiley21 · #5 10-15-2003, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imthachamp
murder

honey, why must you always go the opposite controversial way?

bethany1982 · #6 10-15-2003, 11:10 AM

If the person has made their wishes known, they should be respected.

Rudey · #7 10-15-2003, 05:21 PM

We could always use their organs.

-Rudey
--Or eat them...either way, I'd be satisfied. mmmm mmmmmm

sigmagrrl · #8 10-15-2003, 05:47 PM

I've seen this live in action with my father...

You are keeping the person alive for your own emotional benefit and sanity. You want them there. Also, we have moral objections to the idea that we could be killing someone.

If we know that someone's chances of life would be nil, or their quality of life would be severely limited and diminished....say goodbye...

OK, Sigmagrrl's gotta stop talking cuz she's getting very upset.

smiley21 · #9 10-15-2003, 05:53 PM

i definitely think it is selfish to keep a person alive against their wishes

adpialumcsuc · #10 10-15-2003, 06:25 PM

I agree with sigmagrrl. I most of the time we are keeping them alive for our emotional benefit.

If it was me I would want my family to let me go if I got to the point that they had to consider the thought

ztabchbum · #11 10-16-2003, 11:37 AM

Ok, anyone who doesn't live in the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area doesn't really understand this. This has been going on for 13 years! The woman is a veggie!!! It is so sad to see what her parents are doing to her. The only way she has been living all these years is through a feeding tube. She deserves the right to end her life peacefully. This story has been on the news consistantly since it all started many moons ago. I, for one, am happy that her feeding tube was removed. It's sad to know that she will die in the next week or two but she has that right. There is no reason for her to go on living - if that's what you want to call it. What is happening now is the best thing for her and her family. Just my .02 from someone who's been sitting through this on the news since gosh knows when!

Dionysus · #12 10-16-2003, 11:46 AM

I don't really know where I stand on this issue.

If someone is suffering I don't want to see that person living in misery.

However, it will be like playing God, if one decides if a person lives or dies.

I guess it depends on what the victim says before the trauma (if they ever mentioned it in the first place). For example, my mother says if she ever happens to be in that postition she wants to pass on. On the other hand, me and my grandmother say if we ever happen to be in that position we want others to try and keep us alive as long as posible and don't give up.

honeychile · #13 10-16-2003, 02:57 PM

I have a very definite opinion on this, especially since I'm in geriatrics.

If you know how you feel about this issue, put it in writing and make sure your family, attorney and doctor have copies of your wishes!!!

It is all very well and good to say, "He would have wanted this" but in the end, it's simply justification. I have seen nurses' aides sued because the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order was not visible at the time of the patient's death, and yet, they were following the patient's wishes.

Until a better system is in place, please decide NOW and put it in writing, with the date & a witness.

Do this NOW, while you're still young!! You are more likely to be affected by the need for a Living Will than an older person, as you have "potential organ donor" written all over you.

Personally, I would not want to be taken off of life support - but that's my choice, not yours. I do believe in miracles.

AGDee · #14 10-16-2003, 11:14 PM

I totally agree with honeychile. I am very relieved that my mother has put this in writing and made her wishes clear about what her wishes are. As difficult as it will be for ME, I know that she feels strongly and I will be doing what she wishes. There will be no guilt to deal with when the time comes. Everybody should put it in writing AND designate a patient advocate who knows what you want and will follow through for you.

Dee

honeychile · #15 10-19-2003, 08:07 AM

Let me first say that I am not a Roman Catholic, but I do know that Last Rites are important to those who practice Catholicism.

Did y'all hear that the woman who inspired this thread, Terry Shivano (sp?) has been denied Last Rites because giving her a communion wafer would be violating the Court Order to deny her any food or water?

That's a special kind of cruel. Frankly, I don't believe in the practice, but to deny her parents that last bit of dignity is beyond the pale.