[LasVegasRN]

Let me preface this thread by stating a few things:

1. I'm not posting this thread to bash certain religions, I'm posting to vent, gain understanding, and get a variety of views.

2. Whatever your belief, please respect the beliefs of others.

That said, I admit to not understanding how parents can stand by and watch their child bleed to death.

Teenager, throwing up blood for 2 days, H & H 6.1 and 17.0. Platelets 14. WBC 1.0. Pancytopenia. A religion that does not allow blood products or transfusions. Essentially we will be watching this patient die. As the majority of us know, some fresh frozen plasma, units of packed cells, the ability to SAFELY do an EGD and the patient would be discharged home in about 2 days.
Instead, in 4 hours when the next CBC was done, the Hgb was down to 5.8.

I overheard the attending doc asking the charge nurse to assign a "kind" nurse as this was a "difficult" case. I felt that was unnecessary, because as hard as it is for all of us to watch this, we still treat the patient and family with compassion.

My main point: I'm hoping someone could explain to me, how in the world can you stand by and allow your child to die?

Harsh question, and I'm sure an age-old question, but I do not and can not understand it.

[sunnygirl272]

<<sitting back w/ a glass of wine and waiting for things to unfold>>>

[LasVegasRN]

Further, what's the point of bringing the patient to the hospital ANYWAY? If you are of a belief that doesn't believe in life saving measures - which is obvious here - why not just keep them at home? Sign up for Hospice?

[DebsZoo]

Vegas,
I know of a couple religions that believe this.........but for the life of me, I cannot undertsand it either.

I believe in healing, yet I also believe health professionals were put on this earth for a reason.


Life is too precious.

[Spidey's mom]

I think there have been cases like this where the hospital can ask a judge to intervene.

My understanding of Jehovah's Witnesses is that if they accept blood or blood products, they will not get to heaven. So that means a great deal if you truly believe that. I believe it is a misinterpretation of the biblical injunction against eating an animal without draining it of its blood (a cleanliness issue rather than a "get to heaven" issue).

I agree . . . this is very difficult to understand. Hopefully someone can intervene legally.

[DebsZoo]

stevielynn,
I would be interested in hearing from anyone that has seen a successful judgement (as in the child DOES receive treament) in a situation like this. Any I have ever heard about going to court are won by the parents......not to say all have won, just the ones I have heard of.

[MomNRN]

I share your inability to comprehend this issue. I also agree with the thought - why bring them to the hospital?

It is maddening to know we have the knowledge and ability to fix a problem if only we are allowed to. Also, it makes you wonder - is the teenager able to state his wishes?

[SharonH, RN]

It's a matter of faith. If you believe that your child would suffer a harsher judgment from God by allowing something that you believe to be absolutely against His wishes then you could not risk it.

[MomNRN]

I believe if God gives us the ability to comprehend, understand, and share the limited healing powers He entrusts us with, it is a sin not to use them.

I speak as a Lutheran, not as a Jehovah's Witness. It is too difficult to comprehend their philosophy since I am unfamiliar with it.

I have had to let one child die due to our limited earthly powers, there is no way I could let another one die knowing I could fix him.

This is definitely a HOT topic and this post only reflects my 2 cents worth.

[Flynurse]

ARG!!! Yes, why go to a hospital????