Serious topic... Death and dying

SixFive

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I routinely see things at work that literally sicken me. Usually, this is related to the ridiculous pursuit to needlessly prolong life. I'm not callous, and I hope others don't think that. I'm one of the most compassionate, caring, people loving person around.

If I asked any of the Madjacks members would you want or would u want ur spouse or parent to have a tube feeding you or a machine breathing for you or thousands of dollars worth of tests should you have a terminal condition or a poor quality of life, what would you say? Probably you would say no.

Just this week I have seen a 99 year old woman who lives in a nursing home curled in a fetal position have tube feeding started bc she won't eat. She yells every time she is moved.
Another lady has a terminal lung condition. She has been in and out of the hospital 15 times this year. She can't eat. She has a trach. She can't breathe on her own. She mouths the words, "help me" to every passerby. She does not sleep. No medications help her.

Another lady who is only 47 had a migraine disorder. She had a cold and little cough. Her MD referred her for a bronchoscopy. She had complications and now has been in the hospital another 5 days.

Make your wishes known. Talk to your parents. Talk to your spouse. As hard as it is, there are many lives being prolonged now that IMHO are far worse and more torturous than death. Know your rights as a patient. If you think your doctor is putting you through needless tests, refuse them. Just say no.

The first two examples above, the families chose and keep choosing this torture for their loved ones. It isn't living... It is pathetic and it is a disgrace so often. The third example, this patient should have just said, "no doctor. I just have a cold and don't need an invasive procedure".

Cherish your family and loved ones every day. Remember them when they were healthy and happy if they are sick. Know there wishes and honor them should you have to make a decision. Don't be bullied by MDs who are unscrupulous and greedy.

Lastly, if you don't make your wishes known, the medical establishment will continue to treat and prolong your life even If you don't want that.

If you have any questions, ask them. Thanks for reading.
 
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WhatsHisNuts

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All life is precious according to the religious. I'm all for ending it when that is the right thing to do, but we'll never see it in our life times. We live in a warped society that is getting worse.

As for the families, it is a pretty tough spot. You don't want to let go because you know this is it and every moment counts. My mom was like that when her mom was on the way out and it was really tough to watch.
 

UGA12

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All life is precious according to the religious. I'm all for ending it when that is the right thing to do, but we'll never see it in our life times. We live in a warped society that is getting worse.

As for the families, it is a pretty tough spot. You don't want to let go because you know this is it and every moment counts. My mom was like that when her mom was on the way out and it was really tough to watch.

You just cant help yourself can you:facepalm:
 

Livin'tillthEnd

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All life is precious according to the religious. I'm all for ending it when that is the right thing to do, but we'll never see it in our life times. We live in a warped society that is getting worse.

As for the families, it is a pretty tough spot. You don't want to let go because you know this is it and every moment counts. My mom was like that when her mom was on the way out and it was really tough to watch.

yeah man, not to beat a dead horse, but i believe in God, but no way in hell should someone suffer --you seem like an educated dude, but seriously jaded when it comes to someone saying they believe in something you may not--I don't feel like I am a weak person bc I can see or hope in something better than this life...
 

SixFive

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All life is precious according to the religious. I'm all for ending it when that is the right thing to do, but we'll never see it in our life times. We live in a warped society that is getting worse.

As for the families, it is a pretty tough spot. You don't want to let go because you know this is it and every moment counts. My mom was like that when her mom was on the way out and it was really tough to watch.

All life is precious, and I have learned some valuable life lessons from people with terminal conditions and seemingly no quality of life.

My point is this... Death is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it is the best thing.
 

WhatsHisNuts

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So, you guys think letting someone suffer is the best option? Who's the compassionate one here? If I was suffering with no hope of it getting better, I'd want it to be over, and so would all of you.

Livin': Where do we differ on this topic?
 

WhatsHisNuts

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All life is precious, and I have learned some valuable life lessons from people with terminal conditions and seemingly no quality of life.

My point is this... Death is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it is the best thing.

Where do we differ on the basic principle? I'm not chained to any doctrine or ancient belief system, so it is a no brainer IMO. Religion can sometimes get in the way of what's right, and this is just an example.
 

UGA12

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So, you guys think letting someone suffer is the best option? Who's the compassionate one here? If I was suffering with no hope of it getting better, I'd want it to be over, and so would all of you.

Livin': Where do we differ on this topic?


How in any way did this topic have anything to do with religion before you decided to take your customary swipe at those that do not share your beliefs?
 

Livin'tillthEnd

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So, you guys think letting someone suffer is the best option? Who's the compassionate one here? If I was suffering with no hope of it getting better, I'd want it to be over, and so would all of you.

Livin': Where do we differ on this topic?

assuming by previous posts, you meant religious as Believer, point being I don't see this differently but by your response I would or should---

no hard feelings, just clarifying
 

SixFive

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Where do we differ on the basic principle? I'm not chained to any doctrine or ancient belief system, so it is a no brainer IMO. Religion can sometimes get in the way of what's right, and this is just an example.

This isn't a religious topic. :shrug: The worst doctors I know for prolonging/testing/making their patients suffer are not religious. Also, in my career, the most adamant life prolongers ("do everything for mama") were not religious.
 

Livin'tillthEnd

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This isn't a religious topic. :shrug: The worst doctors I know for prolonging/testing/making their patients suffer are not religious. Also, in my career, the most adamant life prolongers ("do everything for mama") were not religious.

:0003

kinda my point, wondered why it became that
 

SixFive

bonswa
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:0003

kinda my point, wondered why it became that

My Whole reason for posting this thread is to attempt to "educate" people not in health care who might not know. There are a lot of ridiculous things that go on that are needless and stupid. Protect yourself, honor your loved ones' wishes, and most importantly, question your doctor and know you have rights.
 

Big Daddy

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This tread has really hit home with me. My cousin passed yesterday from a brain tumor, and she really suffered. Wish she was still here but I couldn't personally live that way if it was me.
 

dunclock

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some of us disagree with religious beliefs but really does not have to do with his topic ... I for one plan on getting a Living Will soon to have a DO Not keep on life support
 

Penguinfan

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Otherwise, who gets to make the call? At what point do we start letting people die who could have otherwise been saved just because the treatment is going to be rough?

I think you open a whole new box of troubles when you start deciding who lives and who dies.
 

SixFive

bonswa
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some of us disagree with religious beliefs but really does not have to do with his topic ... I for one plan on getting a Living Will soon to have a DO Not keep on life support

Even that is not good enough though; that's One of the big problems. Some of the attorneys on here can speak to this with more authority than me, but I've seen a lot of people be put through the wringer that had living wills, and I've heard many patients say they thought their living will kept heroic measures from being taken. The problem is that most living wills are vague and don't convey the patient's wishes.

Hopefully an attorney will read this and post and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what you need is a designated Health Care Surrogate. This person can make decisions for you related to health care if you are not able.
 

ssd

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It is unfortunate but our pets are treated with more compassion during the end of life decisions than our own family.
 

SixFive

bonswa
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Otherwise, who gets to make the call? At what point do we start letting people die who could have otherwise been saved just because the treatment is going to be rough?

I think you open a whole new box of troubles when you start deciding who lives and who dies.

Totally agree. Cases Like the examples above. Accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and etc other traumatic or life threatening events should be aggressively treated. Prolonging a tortured life by aggressive intervention and testing is what I'm talking about or the general relatively healthy patient being given needless testing. Don't start tube feeding a contracted up demented 99 year old who yells and screams every time she is turned, stop giving blood transfusions to a patient on a ventilator who constantly mouths "help me" and never rests, don't consent to a bronchoscopy if you're in the hospital for a migraine, if you don't like your doctor, request/get a new one, etc. I see so many ridiculous things I just have to SMH. I can be honest and say what I think here. I sadly can't be at my job.
 
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