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.
Wow, Vegas this is a tough case. I don't know how to respond. I am not that familiar with the JW faith, so don't think I can be much help here. I just took care of a JW pediatric patient a few weeks ago, but fortunately did not require any blood. The chart was tagged "no blood products." The patient had some minor surgery done but did not require any blood products.
Since this patient is 18 not much can be done legally. Even though I would not choose that route of treatment for myself or my family, an 18 y/o has the right to make their own decisions regarding healthcare. I would probably be able to take care of this patient without too much difficulty knowing that this is the way the patient wanted it. If it was a minor I am not so sure I could be a "good" nurse to this patient and her family emotionally. I would keep my opinion to myself but inside I would be a mess. What a sticky, sticky, situation. I will be thinking of you in the next few days while you and others at your hospital decide what is the best plan of care for this patient.
leeca writes: "Whatdo you mean "standing up to parents such as these"
It means exactly what it says, and if you bothered to read the rest of this thread before posting your personal insults to me and to several other people, you would notice that particular post referred ONLY to parents of minor children, which the subject of this thread was NOT, we later learned.
Fab, thanks so much for your very gracious and patient posts full of information. This is a sensitive issue for alot of people in where misunderstandings *cough, cough* are common. When we can get past all that is when we truly learn.
Vegas, once again you have shown your grace by posting one of "those questions" that shouldn't be feared of being asked, and posed it in such a way that allowed many of us to learn. Thanks for that. Ditto to Hoolahan.
3rd Shift Guy: A JW who takes a blood transfusion can be disfellowshipped. Any family members who are JW would not have contact with that individual unless absolutely necessary. Disfellowshipping is a very serious measure; it's not done lightly.
It is not, however, a permanent state. Someone who has been disfellowshipped for, say drug addiction for example, may be reinstated if he/she feels remorse and makes the appropriate changes. Disfellowshipping indicates that not only was the person aware that he/she had committed a grave sin, but also does not have a repentant attitude (similar to "willful misconduct").
A transfusion that is forced on a JW does not result in a disfellowshipping if the JW or family did their utmost to prevent it. This isn't meant to be used as a loophole by the JW or medical staff, however. An e.g. would be a Witness who was having surgery, told the doc no blood, has a signed "No Blood Transfusion" card, has the advanced directive indicating no blood, and writes on the op permit and anesthesia permit "No Blood."
This person has made it plain that he does not want blood. During surgery, a complication arises and the doc goes ahead and has the pt transfused. The pt should not be held accountable for that; he did his utmost to prevent it.
Thanks for clearing that up, and for supplying the word "disfellowshipped" that escaped me.
This has been a great thread, but I'll stop adding my one cent now.
The bible was written in simple times by simple people who could not possibly have fathomed the idea that we would be using blood as a viable medical treatment in this day and age. The interpretation of it is a modern (and wrong, in my opinion) one.
This is off topic, but,my sister in law is a staunch JW, and it has caused many conflicts in our family, medical and other. She is the only JW in the family and feels it proper to inflict her beliefs on others. She refused to attend many weddings and funerals.
And Fab4...a question for you....how do you, as an RN, handle transfusing blood products into your patients? Is this not an ethical dilemma for you?
sunnygirl272
839 Posts
annnnnnnnd...thank you people...we officially have a new addition to sunny's iggy list....Woot. and pass the Funnels....