|
Topic: Viewpoint: ARE PHYSICIANS LISTENING TO PATIENTS' WISHES ABOUT DYING?
Posted by: Kathryn Welch (welchk@u.arizona.edu)
Institution: N/A
Date posted: Fri Nov 21 9:30:45 1997
Message:
I believe doctors are doing the best that they can with all the law suits.
My mom recently passed away with breast cancer and the breast cancer had metastized to her lungs, brain, spine, brain. My mom also had a living will that no heroic measures were to be used and no machines. We honored that wish and the doctor agreed that there was nothing more that could be done. A few days after my mom was admitted to the hospital she began to hemmorage and then had a massive heart attack and my youngest brother (despite my mom's wishes) gave permission to put her on a ventilator of which was removed when we all arrived. There was no sense to try and keep her going with all the cancer and pain and suffering. My mom passed away two days later and is now at peace.
I think doctors try and do what they can to save lives and in this case there was no saving my mom and the doctor agreed. He kept my mom free from pain with morphine and let God take her.
Thanks to all doctors for all their trials and help.
Sincerely greatful,
Kathy
Posted by: MHernandez (myth@digitalcave.com)
Institution: none
Date posted: Sun May 4 20:33:01 1997
Message:
If doctors weren't human, they'd allow anyone who wants to to die.
But because they are human and entered their profession to "save
lives" they cannot. Could you? I am a nurse and I believe in healing.
Yet, I am expected to allow a patient to die because he signed a DNR.
If that is so, then Hospice is the best way to go. Not in a hospital.
This controversial topic comes up many times in a hospital and always
there is a family member who does not agree on the patient's wishes,
threatens to sue the doctor if no heroic measures are done, yet the doctor
is expected to follow the patient's wishes. The doctor should not be the one
to make this decision and be attacked. We should all be thinking of what we
want for ourselfs and plan. Include all close family members in your plans and
make your wishes known.
Posted by: G Arvan (garvan@gte.net)
Institution: none
Date posted: Wed Apr 23 16:02:44 1997
Message:
It appears the medical field has been sucked into a vortex which
it cannot get out of. The legal, moral, political, and financial implications all conflict
with each other. Thus I suppose, is why a doctor will overide a DNR.
Posted by: M. Kaline
Institution: None
Date posted: Mon Apr 21 19:29:03 1997
Message:
No, physicians are not listening to their patients' wishes. My mother signed a DNR and was very specific about what she did not want. Her doctor changed the DNR to allow her to be placed on a respirator. Later that day, when I reminded my mother's nurse about the DNR, she told me that doctor has changed it. I was furious! Where did he get the right to do that? I demanded that he change it back, and he complied. After that, my sister and I kept a close watch on mother to see that she was not harmed. I was most concerned about the residents that roam around the hospital at night. I think it is a crime that we have to worry about doctors imposing their choices on us against our will.
About NetForum - v.1.2.6
|
