19 years in coma

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2003

I knew of one patient who had ha a severe brain injury and had spent 2 years "out of it" - you know teh wild eyed "nobody home" stare and teh rocking etd. They had just about given up and about to tranfer to an LTC when he sat up in bed at 2 am one night ripped out his tracheostomy and said - "I'm hungry give me a steak!"

The night supervisor was tell me this and I asked her what she did about it - she said the staff were so impressed that they actually went down to the kitchen and got him a steak!!

live4today, RN · Jul 11, 2003

Nurse2be........my belief is our living is never in vain because our life not only touches others we know, but many we will never know. Ever heard of "angels unawares"???

That man was not kept alive, he breathed on his own for 19 years, and then woke up. Where was he all those years? What was going through his mind? Why was he chosen to live 19 years in a deep sleep before returning to his family?

That is what is so amazing to me! The miracle of it all should bless many whom he never intended on touching with his life. We can be "angels unaware" without even asking to be.

mattsmom81 · Jul 11, 2003

I too have mixed feelings about this and questions about quality of life issues.

I fear this incident will only encourage people to keep vegetative loved ones on life support just in case they 'might' awaken 20 yrs later as a total invalid. I know I would not wish to live this way, nor would MY loved ones.

I do applaud those who will take this on themselves vs placing them in the county's or state's hands.

There are things we do today in healthcare that bother me on a deeply personal level. I do, however understand where some of you are coming from ie this is a miracle and all life is precious.

I just have some questions about where we draw the line.

live4today, RN · Jul 11, 2003

Perhaps I missed something? :confused:

Was that man kept alive on a ventilator? Or, was he breathing on his own without use of a ventilator for 19 years?

Anyone care to clarify. I read the article, but don't remember it saying the man was on a vent for all those years.

Love-A-Nurse · Jul 11, 2003

renee, i agree with you. since he was not on a ventilator, the quality of life remained.

Love-A-Nurse · Jul 11, 2003

While trying to find some information to help suppuort my thoughts on this subject, I came across this, which I didn't know. This is an old article, April 2003.

NEW YORK, New York (CNN) -- Dr. Robert Atkins, creator of the controversial high-protein/low-carbohydrate "Atkins Diet," remains in a coma and on life support in a New York hospital after he fell and struck his head on an icy sidewalk outside his New York office on Tuesday.

Atkins, 72, was rushed to New York Weill Cornell Medical Center by his colleague, Dr. Keith Berkowitz, where surgeons removed a blood clot to relieve pressure in his brain on Wednesday.

"We are hoping for a miracle," Richard Rothstein, a spokesman for Atkins told CNN Friday, "but the chances for a meaningful recovery are slim."

Atkins' original 1972 book, "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution," was contrary to the recommendations of most nutritional experts at the time, advocating eating plenty of meats, eggs and cheese for protein and fat. Atkins blamed carbohydrates, such as pastas and potatoes, for weight gain. While many remain skeptical about the Atkins Diet, it has become increasingly popular since the 1992 publication of his book, "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution."

In April 2002 Atkins was hospitalized after he went into cardiac arrest, which he has said in a statement was "in no way related to diet."

http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/04/12/atkins.hospital/

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2003

Originally posted by Nurse2be
Just curious about popular opinion on this one - is it really a miracle that this gentleman lived - or is it a tragedy?

I have to wonder about quality of life. What kind of quality of life has this gentleman had for 19 years. Quite obviously, none - since he really has had no meaningful "life" to speak of during that time frame.

I cannot imagine how horrible it would be to go to sleep age 20 and wake up age 40. Twenty years of my life slipped by - how could anyone ever emotionally reconcile the loss of those years. Not to mention the emotional turmoil and cost of keeping this gentleman alive for 20 years. Sometimes, I think our medical advancement has come at the cost of human dignity and our ability to know when somebody's body needs to remain on earth or their soul needs to go to heaven.

Just food for thought.

A mixed blessing. When I look at him all contracted and unable to move or perform bodily functions, I can't help but wonder about quality of life. He's still at risk for pneumonia, bedsores, and all kinds of stuff. Still very depedent. As I said before, I'd probably want to either die or go back to a blissful coma.

JasonGreen · Jul 12, 2003

The brain is an amazing organ that I doubt humans will ever fully understand.

RNNMD · Jul 12, 2003

I am a firm believer in quality of life versus quantity of life. I think the quantity of life is for the loved ones of the victim. I have to ask, why is not being on a vent quality of life? Now this person is laying in a bed, contracted, looking forward to a life of pneumonia and bedsores and receiving nutrition thru IV'S and tubes. Call me cynical but I do not call this quality!