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Post by newsround on Feb 20, 2013 4:37:21 GMT 1
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Post by kattie on Feb 20, 2013 7:24:16 GMT 1
I quote my mother when my father was nearing the end: "You wouldn't put a dog through this"..... Nuff said in my opinon.
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Post by Deb on Feb 20, 2013 8:27:51 GMT 1
I have heard that so many times Kattie.
I am all for having the choice. My mum was an active 78 year old and still working in the school office, had only been to a doctor/hospital once since 1956 and that was because she "had to" because she'd broken a wrist. Then she was struck down with motor neurone disease, the most awful thing I've ever seen and you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy. She was so frustrated inside that trapped body and although I'm not sure she would have made that choice, she didn't want to live like that. Most motor neurone patients don't live more than 4 years once diagnosed. Although very sad, we were grateful it wasn't prolonged for her sake. I thought a lot about it at that time.
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Post by Ali on Feb 20, 2013 9:29:55 GMT 1
Choice - yes.
I'm there too.
I think it is the patient only that must communicate that choice tho, not the family.
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Post by kattie on Feb 20, 2013 9:39:46 GMT 1
Choice - 110% agree. But the choice of the patient AND the family - my mother hearing my father's lungs being suctioned every hour was "the most horrible thing in my life" (yes, another mother quote) - and she was 73 at the time. He had 3 heart attacks in a 24 hour period and at the time both my parents agreed that he would be DNR, as frankly they knew he didn't have long anyway. Had they had the option of euthanasia - who knows if they would have taken it at the time - but that obviously wasn't an option.
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Post by Ali on Feb 20, 2013 9:42:10 GMT 1
Yes, good point Kat.
I was thinking 'patient' just because of any vultures flying above.....
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Post by kattie on Feb 20, 2013 9:53:22 GMT 1
It's a very emotive subject I know. IF I found out that I was terminally ill, or had a condition which would gradually disable me - thus meaning my quality of life would deteriorate - I personally would say ta ta - and be on my way. Sorry too for Deb's loss, but MND is a typical case where not only does the patient suffer, but those who love said patient suffer too. I'm going to shut up now, as I could go on and on and on and on........
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2013 10:20:13 GMT 1
I always swore that if my Mum had been reduced to an immobile wreck,unable to do anything and longing for the end,I would help her on her way;and hang the consequences ,luckily she died peacefully after a short time in hospital. So yes I am for it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2013 14:22:32 GMT 1
I big yes from us. Saw Jacks mum having one stroke after another,in the end she was confined to bed not beeing able to do anything but lie there for a year.It was horrible seeing her like that.Same with his Dad from a lively person down with Liver Cancer and having Dementia not knowing what he was doing,to himself and others its just so sad to see a loved one like that.
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Post by <-Rinky-Dink-> on Feb 20, 2013 23:35:05 GMT 1
Choice Definitely.
When my Father, aged 86 took a turn for the worst, he started to refuse all food and drink, and all medication. He was diabetic, had prostate cancer, stage 3 kidney disease.
The sad thing is, that most of his discomfort was caused by his being severely dehydrated because of a tummy upset. Had he not refused liquids and food, and allowed the nurses to put him on a saline drip, he would have come through and lived for at least another couple of years. The medication he had been taking was working extremely well.
After his death when we were going through all his things and papers etc, we found a living will in which he had stated that should he become seriously ill, he did not want to be kept alive with medication, he just wanted to slip away. He had not, however, told anybody about this.
I have agonised over it ever since he passed away ... had I known his wishes, would I have tried to act upon it, or would I have made the same decision as I did at the time, and tried to persuade him to keep eating, drinking and accept the medication? Because he was so dehydrated coupled with his diabetes he lost his mind very quickly and after only a few days didn't even know who I was.
So... although I believe that everyone should have the choice, it should be policed extremely carefully.
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