Earlier today there was a thread regarding Dr. Kevorkian's release from prison. Just as I was adding my thoughts, it got moved to the Current Events restricted area.
At that time, it seemed like there was 100% support for him. Honestly, I was surprised, especially since not everyone he killed was terminally ill. (I'm from Michigan, though, so maybe I know more about his history).
So I'm wondering, do nurses generally support the theory of physician assisted suicide?
After 19 years, I wake look around and say something obscene then go back into the coma.
Transplants are very beneficial
Just ask the guy who had one for alcohol cirrhosis, Had him in the ER last night drunk. Another Liver shot.
Just ask the 40 yo male with a heart Transplanted, due to an MI suffered while on cocaine. Recently in the ER for methamphetamine OD.
Very Beneficial indeed
seen more than i care of this in nursing home even but mostly in the prison system - got out after having transplant and are now back in - i read the stories of this as they get dyalysis or await another transplant - guidleines should say at the very least - abuse the new one dont get another........
it was known to the ward that my father feared euthanasia/ physician assisted suicide' ha- due to the fact he had witnessed his own fathers death by the same method..I advocated for my father and since he was no longer able to communicate verbally you would not believe the atrocites that happened within that ward. He made it clear to all that he would never have morphine put into his veins, they should have complied to his wishes, moreover I lodged a formal complaint with the Health Rights Commision, only to see that the governmental department after obtaining my fathers hospital records, also advocates for the physician. The LMO wrote out a death certificate on the evening of the 24th in preparation. That should tell you the way that things really operate, she anticipated his death and got the paperwork done-Highly illegal right!!! Guess what, she has won here on this earth....GOD HELP HER!!!!
I know because I not only nursed this patient, I am his daughter!!!!!!!!!!!! and witnessed the LMO waltz in and make the following statement. "Its, like this John, you are going to die, we are going to take all life sustaining means from you and end your life by inserting a syring- driver into your vein with morphine that will be delivered until John your life is ended. Do you understand what I am saying John. My father could not speak due to the large esophageal tumour and nodded his head, and drew a slice across his throat indicating he knew he was getting the chop. I hope I have made myself clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!By the way three other people were ended that day, like my father, left alone in the conspiracy whilst the staff fed their faces eating their xmas turkey!!!!!!
What can I say but I am so sorry for your loss. I wonder though if the motion he made was an attempt to express his wishes and not just an acknowledgement of understanding. It seems like a nod is all that is needed for the latter? Again though, I'm really sorry it happened in such a way that has caused such grief to you.
I am appalled by the lack of understanding on how the law works. Physicans do not get to decide on who lives and dies. It is only the patient who can pursue it.
A gentle reminder when posting to hot topics such as this. We need to post our opinions without stomping on the opinion of another person. We need to discuss the topic and not individual posters. :)
Lets just hold up for a moment! There is a better way.
There is a very fine resource for potential PAS candidates that is not yet being appropriately utilized. Hospice could have a very major impact on the circumstances that prompt patients to request Physician Assisted Suicide, but across the country, almost universally physicians refuse to make hospice referrals until the last few days of life. The last stats I heard showed the national average hospice stay was less than two weeks. That matches the stats in my neighborhood.
Just think about the weeks, perhaps months of patient suffering that might very well be sharply curtailed by referring several months earlier. In so doing, the patient receives a significantly different level of support, better pain control, and general palliative care. Society in general has adopted this approach through legislation. The laws and funding mechanisms have been in place for decades, but still, the docs are not making the referrals. As a chaplain, I see it all too often, but all I can do is suggest to the patient or family that they ask their physician about hospice.
If the medical community were to implement and practice appropriate and effective hospice care, with timely referrals, and there were still a demand for PAS, then I would support taking another look at the issue. Until then, Physician assisted Suicide seems unacceptable.
long before i became a nurse a man in the office had a dtr with spinabifita [sp] under mds advise they decided on 'BENIGN NEGLECT' and the child died within a few days..i don't know what this consisted of, don't believe that it would be legal today, not exactly the same thing as poll but it was something that has stuck in my mind after all these years
when people have to decide for a family member regarding a dnr or hospice facility it is usually not done to free them of their responsibilities it is usually done with a heavy heart as the end of an important part of their life is ending and someone they love is hurting so and they can not reach out and help them..frequently this is at the end of a long long struggle, family members may not be physically able to render care, children may live in distant cities other family members may have predeceased
what ever side of this issue you are on, write out your wishes and have them notarized..it will be a blessing to your loved ones who will not have to make heartrending decisions at a very stressful time in their lives
i worked with a woman who had osteoarthritis and metatastic ca whe had signed directives refusing any extraordinary measures including tube feedings, when she was admitted to hospital nurses reported her limited intake to md [on call for partner] he ordered an temporary ng tube to be followed by peg...the sitter called the son who called the sheriffs dept..
sheriffs deputies had to come out but they didn't know what they were suppose to do..finally the oncall got a hold of pcp and the ng tube was removed, surgery canceled
as for me if i cannot have a meaningful life it will be time to go..whether by pas or withholding food/h2o
I work in a long term care facilities and I firmly believe in PAS. I have seen advanced Alzheimers people get put on feeding tubes when they no longer can eat because of family wishes.
The torture we force upon our elderly because we are not allowed to grant them their wish of dying peacefully and with dignity is selfish.
It's too bad we treat our animals better than the elderly!
I work in a long term care facilities and I firmly believe in PAS. I have seen advanced Alzheimers people get put on feeding tubes when they no longer can eat because of family wishes.
The torture we force upon our elderly because we are not allowed to grant them their wish of dying peacefully and with dignity is selfish.
It's too bad we treat our animals better than the elderly!
I don't know that it is torture if someone is being treated kindly and w/ dignity. people are not animals and should not be treated in the same "better" way. I love my cats and my dogs (2 of each) but if they got cancer I would have them put to sleep I could not afford to treat them. If on of my kids or my husband developed ca I would spend every dime I have, sell all possesions and do whatever else I had to in order to be with them as long as I could. I think I would stop if I knew they were in constant pain, but it would be hard.
My point is the love I have for my family would make me willing to do alot more than someone who doesn't love them is willing to do.
Lets just hold up for a moment! There is a better way.
There is a very fine resource for potential PAS candidates that is not yet being appropriately utilized. Hospice could have a very major impact on the circumstances that prompt patients to request Physician Assisted Suicide, but across the country, almost universally physicians refuse to make hospice referrals until the last few days of life. The last stats I heard showed the national average hospice stay was less than two weeks. That matches the stats in my neighborhood.
Just think about the weeks, perhaps months of patient suffering that might very well be sharply curtailed by referring several months earlier. In so doing, the patient receives a significantly different level of support, better pain control, and general palliative care. Society in general has adopted this approach through legislation. The laws and funding mechanisms have been in place for decades, but still, the docs are not making the referrals. As a chaplain, I see it all too often, but all I can do is suggest to the patient or family that they ask their physician about hospice.
If the medical community were to implement and practice appropriate and effective hospice care, with timely referrals, and there were still a demand for PAS, then I would support taking another look at the issue. Until then, Physician assisted Suicide seems unacceptable.
I just wanted to add that a chaplain in Australia gave a very good analogy with regard to the end of life. He put it like this, "either the physical body wants to go, however the mind is not willing to let- or the mind is willing to let go but the physical refuses. I guess he was referring to a dilemma, the biggest dilemma that a person could encounter. It wasnt until I heard this clearly, that I was able to realise that it really has nothing to do with us- I really believe that it is all part of Gods purpose, for whatever reasons he has, and no doubt I shall find the correctly aligned answer when my time comes.
twotrees2
913 Posts
seen more than i care of this in nursing home even but mostly in the prison system - got out after having transplant and are now back in - i read the stories of this as they get dyalysis or await another transplant - guidleines should say at the very least - abuse the new one dont get another........