Council Member
Posts: 1,732 
June 3rd, 2008, 10:56 PM
One of your parents goes into an irreversible coma without leaving written instructions concerning euthanasia, though they had casually said they would rather die than live like that.
....happened to my father, legal ramifications abound in this, a sibling went through with it
One of your parents goes into an irreversible coma without leaving written instructions concerning euthanasia, though they had casually said they would rather die than live like that.
....happened to my father, legal ramifications abound in this, a sibling went through with it
Mass'Debator
Posts: 4,224 
Location: Atlantic Canada
Location: Atlantic Canada
June 4th, 2008, 09:55 AM
If they said they didn't want to be stuck on some life support like my grandmother was until she died, then I would flick the switch without blinking, as I sure as hell don't want to see another family member go through what she went through for the weeks she did.
And in my grandmother's case, I sure as hell didn't see it as euthanasia, as the life support system she was on was only prolonging the death she would have already encountered if medical intervention didn't interfeer in the first place. Eventually they had to take her off because of being on the system too long would have cause irreversable damage to her system and would have killed her in the end anyways.... so it didn't do anything for her except give her a few extra days of suffering..... and she said in the past she didn't want to go through that, and yet she did..... that's why she hid her stroke as best she could from my grandfather for as long as she did, because she knew that was going to happen, based on their religious beliefs of "Not commiting suicide" (Which was kinda foolish since it would have been her natural death in the first place)
This is also why I am very reluctant towards blood transfusions, organ transplants and being stuck on life support systems, because it's cheating your natural course of your life.... and if I get into some accident or something tragic happens, either my body will fight it as it was ment to, or I'll die... them's the breaks.
And if I'm in a coma, if I'm breating and still alive on my own resources, then leave me be until I die or I recover..... if I'm in a coma and the only thing keeping me alive is a life support system, flick that switch, or I'll haunt all your asses!
If they said they didn't want to be stuck on some life support like my grandmother was until she died, then I would flick the switch without blinking, as I sure as hell don't want to see another family member go through what she went through for the weeks she did.
And in my grandmother's case, I sure as hell didn't see it as euthanasia, as the life support system she was on was only prolonging the death she would have already encountered if medical intervention didn't interfeer in the first place. Eventually they had to take her off because of being on the system too long would have cause irreversable damage to her system and would have killed her in the end anyways.... so it didn't do anything for her except give her a few extra days of suffering..... and she said in the past she didn't want to go through that, and yet she did..... that's why she hid her stroke as best she could from my grandfather for as long as she did, because she knew that was going to happen, based on their religious beliefs of "Not commiting suicide" (Which was kinda foolish since it would have been her natural death in the first place)
This is also why I am very reluctant towards blood transfusions, organ transplants and being stuck on life support systems, because it's cheating your natural course of your life.... and if I get into some accident or something tragic happens, either my body will fight it as it was ment to, or I'll die... them's the breaks.
And if I'm in a coma, if I'm breating and still alive on my own resources, then leave me be until I die or I recover..... if I'm in a coma and the only thing keeping me alive is a life support system, flick that switch, or I'll haunt all your asses!
Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,612
June 4th, 2008, 10:47 AM
I've made my wishes clear through the vehicle of "power of attorney"....I certainly don't want to "live" for months with tubes and catheters and sensors taped to my body while the medical community wrestles with the "point of dimminishing returns" formula....
Been there done that....
Don't want to do it again.
I've made my wishes clear through the vehicle of "power of attorney"....I certainly don't want to "live" for months with tubes and catheters and sensors taped to my body while the medical community wrestles with the "point of dimminishing returns" formula....
Been there done that....
Don't want to do it again.
Gobsmacked
Posts: 5,118
Location: Edmonton AB
Location: Edmonton AB
June 4th, 2008, 12:11 PM
If interventions such as transfusions etc are used for the sole purpose of prolonging the inevitable, then absolutely I'd feel the same way - I'd say let's save everyone the time and trouble and let me get on with the bizness of dying so my loved ones can get on with the bizness of living.
BUT... if interventions could result in either a full recovery or even enough recovery to provide a pretty decent quality of life, I'd say go ahead with the interventions.
Quoting Praxius
I see your point on this.... but only to a point. loll.
This is also why I am very reluctant towards blood transfusions, organ transplants and being stuck on life support systems, because it's cheating your natural course of your life.... and if I get into some accident or something tragic happens, either my body will fight it as it was ment to, or I'll die... them's the breaks.
If interventions such as transfusions etc are used for the sole purpose of prolonging the inevitable, then absolutely I'd feel the same way - I'd say let's save everyone the time and trouble and let me get on with the bizness of dying so my loved ones can get on with the bizness of living.
BUT... if interventions could result in either a full recovery or even enough recovery to provide a pretty decent quality of life, I'd say go ahead with the interventions.
Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,612
June 4th, 2008, 12:20 PM
I tried to donate a kidney to a friend who was involved in an auto accident and left crippled and on a blood washing machine....and who , like us all will ultimately shuck this mortal coil....but who loved and cared for his children his wife, his community....gave so much during the time he was well.....that I felt we could ill afford to let a life so demonstrably worth saving.....die.... when I have after all, two kidneys that while potentially a burden...I could give one to him.....
Turns out I wasn't compatible at a tissue level....he's dead now......
I tried to donate a kidney to a friend who was involved in an auto accident and left crippled and on a blood washing machine....and who , like us all will ultimately shuck this mortal coil....but who loved and cared for his children his wife, his community....gave so much during the time he was well.....that I felt we could ill afford to let a life so demonstrably worth saving.....die.... when I have after all, two kidneys that while potentially a burden...I could give one to him.....
Turns out I wasn't compatible at a tissue level....he's dead now......
Mass'Debator
Posts: 4,224
Location: Atlantic Canada
Location: Atlantic Canada
June 4th, 2008, 01:06 PM
Those examples gave me the conclusion that doctors don't always know what is best, and I (through my own various levels of education and experiences to gain the knowlege) know my body better then they do.
As I said, I'm reluctant on those proceedures and would only resort to those as a last option, if at all. I can not determine what will come my way in the future, and I may change my perspective through time.... but presently, the above stands, and if there are alternative treatments available that suit my preferences, then I will usually seek them.
As mentioned before about possibly having children and imposing my beliefs on them, I wouldn't, as they are an individual, and regardless of their age, given the proper explinations and options presented to them, and explaining the pros and cons very clearly, they too can make an informed decision in what they would wish to have done.
Quoting Zan
Fair enough.... but that's not what I believe in. I have been put under a few different operations which I was told were nessicary for my health, only to find out I didn't need them at all, when I knew I didn't need them. Fool me once, as they say.
I see your point on this.... but only to a point. loll.
If interventions such as transfusions etc are used for the sole purpose of prolonging the inevitable, then absolutely I'd feel the same way - I'd say let's save everyone the time and trouble and let me get on with the bizness of dying so my loved ones can get on with the bizness of living.
BUT... if interventions could result in either a full recovery or even enough recovery to provide a pretty decent quality of life, I'd say go ahead with the interventions.
If interventions such as transfusions etc are used for the sole purpose of prolonging the inevitable, then absolutely I'd feel the same way - I'd say let's save everyone the time and trouble and let me get on with the bizness of dying so my loved ones can get on with the bizness of living.
BUT... if interventions could result in either a full recovery or even enough recovery to provide a pretty decent quality of life, I'd say go ahead with the interventions.
Those examples gave me the conclusion that doctors don't always know what is best, and I (through my own various levels of education and experiences to gain the knowlege) know my body better then they do.
As I said, I'm reluctant on those proceedures and would only resort to those as a last option, if at all. I can not determine what will come my way in the future, and I may change my perspective through time.... but presently, the above stands, and if there are alternative treatments available that suit my preferences, then I will usually seek them.
As mentioned before about possibly having children and imposing my beliefs on them, I wouldn't, as they are an individual, and regardless of their age, given the proper explinations and options presented to them, and explaining the pros and cons very clearly, they too can make an informed decision in what they would wish to have done.
Mass'Debator
Posts: 4,224
Location: Atlantic Canada
Location: Atlantic Canada
June 4th, 2008, 01:21 PM
See, I guess my perspective is that if that was me in your friend's shoes, I probably might not request you do that for me, because I feel that situation I was in would throw me into a frame of mind that I would need to unleash a lot of writting and thoughts before I died..... something that I would like to do before I do die, whenever that is. (Although I seem to do enough of that now, there are other things I would like to express.)
To say the least, I've already got the basics of my death planned out for whenever it may occur. It's been accepted years ago, and whever it happens, it's gonna happen, even though most still considder me a young lad to be thinking of that stuff (2
Quoting MikeyDB
Well that was pretty blunt, lol (Not at the situation, but how it was explained)
I tried to donate a kidney to a friend who was involved in an auto accident and left crippled and on a blood washing machine....and who , like us all will ultimately shuck this mortal coil....but who loved and cared for his children his wife, his community....gave so much during the time he was well.....that I felt we could ill afford to let a life so demonstrably worth saving.....die.... when I have after all, two kidneys that while potentially a burden...I could give one to him.....
Turns out I wasn't compatible at a tissue level....he's dead now......
Turns out I wasn't compatible at a tissue level....he's dead now......
See, I guess my perspective is that if that was me in your friend's shoes, I probably might not request you do that for me, because I feel that situation I was in would throw me into a frame of mind that I would need to unleash a lot of writting and thoughts before I died..... something that I would like to do before I do die, whenever that is. (Although I seem to do enough of that now, there are other things I would like to express.)
To say the least, I've already got the basics of my death planned out for whenever it may occur. It's been accepted years ago, and whever it happens, it's gonna happen, even though most still considder me a young lad to be thinking of that stuff (2
