Do We "Really" Save Lives....?

[rebelwaclause]

I just read something interesting that stated that MD's, nurses, paramedics, emt's, firefighters, etc...."Saves lives"

Do you feel that you "save lives", or that you are equipped to do everything possible to assist with sustaining a life? Does God ultmately have the say so of who's number will be picked to come and go?

I feel strange with the thought of high-five-n a co-worker saying "We saved their life dude...We rock!".....

"Rebel"... With A Clause

[mattsmom81]

Interesting thoughts all...but on the other hand:

I'd hate to see a patient die because a nurse didn't recognize VFib and get the zapper...and hear him/her use the logic:

"Well, it just must have been that patient's time to die"

Nurses accept a lot of responsibility---and a nurse ignorant of basic skills of his/her practice area can be lethal.

Nurses are intelligent, creative, skilled professionals....let's accept some credit where credit is due....and give the Glory to God!

[MollyJ]

Originally posted by mattsmom81

Interesting thoughts all...but on the other hand:

I'd hate to see a patient die because a nurse didn't recognize VFib and get the zapper...and hear him/her use the logic:

"Well, it just must have been that patient's time to die"

Nurses accept a lot of responsibility---and a nurse ignorant of basic skills of his/her practice area can be lethal.

Nurses are intelligent, creative, skilled professionals....let's accept some credit where credit is due....and give the Glory to God!

You got it.

Plus, I feel that all too often we, as health professionals DO TOO MUCH to prolong life, when the situation should be remanded to God and believe me, I appreciate just how thorny that concept is.

A friend of mine went to a conference where the speaker put up a cartoon of a poor soul dragging themselves to the pearly gates, with ventilator and IV lines and other medical paraphenalia dragging behind. St. Peter is, of course, there to welcome the new soul.

The caption reads, "What took you so long?"

[iF anyone has a copy of that cartoon, I would die to own it...]

[Ragin Cajun]

I too feel that we save lives. God gave us abilities, talent and expects us to use them for the betterment of everyone we care for. He never said he relinguishes all authority to us !

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by Cathy Wilson, RN

That brings up questions of horrible accidents, sudden illness, painful, extended illnesses, horrible things happening to children. When God chooses to take someone, it is not to be mean, or vengeful, unless the person is a bad person (vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord). It is likely that it is to spare this person, or their family, some greater trauma, later on.

The atrocities perpetrated upon our children (especially of late) are NOT done by God, but of persons whose lives are controlled by evil. Rather than let the child continue to suffer by letting it live in the hands of an abuser, God releases the child from the pain and torment of the evildoer. Yes, I honestly believe these things. We are not in the Mind of God, but in seeking to understand, and as a way of trying to comfort those who have experienced sudden or horrific loss, these are the things that I have come to believe as a surety.

Thanks for your opinion Cathy. It is very difficult to argue religion. With as many BB's I have become opinionated on, I won't tackle religion. But, I will say I believe God created us, we had it good, but jacked up in the Garden of Eden, we became exposed to what we now call "life" that includes bad and good. I think its God's will that we have life (...And life more abundantly), and when the struggles of life bring us to heinousness like those examples given above, Its God who makes the ultimate decision, whether it be to live or die. God's prerogative is not afforded to me to know, so I don't know what the formula is, but I believe He has the master key for everything that happens...Good bad and indifferent.

When I was an EMT, I transported a patient whose history was on her wedding day, while walking down the isle she had a massive CVA. Within days, she had another that left her speechless and paralyzed. When I transported her she had lived at various SNF's for the past 28 years. Tube feedings, contractures, incontinence and all. Surprisingly, she wasn't on a vent. How can I argue that this is a loving (the way I know Him) God's will without the disclaimer that life the way we know it played a factor?...Did the devil do it? God is greater than the devil...right?

...Like I said, it's hard to argue religion. Sorry for posting a little off the topic.

-Rebel

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by MollyJ

A friend of mine went to a conference where the speaker put up a cartoon of a poor soul dragging themselves to the pearly gates, with ventilator and IV lines and other medical paraphenalia dragging behind. St. Peter is, of course, there to welcome the new soul.

The caption reads, "What took you so long?"

Tah-heeee...Hahahahha...That's a reeeeeeal good one! I'd like a copy myself!

[micro, RN]

We do save lives.......

but it is a strange road we tread in this day and age of health care........

where does science/medicine stop and nature/higher power start.............

what is natural and what is not...........

i do think i know what I want for myself.........

let me live if i am living.....

but if i cannot.....

give me a chance to regain, but if i cannot.....

let me go.....

to whatever is beyond..........

quality of life=the ?????????

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

No, we don't save lives. We have the ability through education and technology to see life threatening problems developing and intervene to correct problems more than ever before. Medical science has made astonishing advances over the past several years in this respect through science and research. The outcome is that we are able to extend life, but I don't see that we are really "saving" anybody. Sure does feel good when with all our good efforts, we are able to postpone the inevitable, though! I believe we die when our journey is over.

[Fgr8Out]

God saves SOULS....

Peace :)