mother dies after refusing blood transfusion

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 7, 2007

It is sad these days but I was also under the impression that on occasions substitutes can be given although not always the answer.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2007

As one of JW's, my religion is not just a religion, it is the way that I choose to live my life. I would hope that nurses and doctors that take care of me would respect my beliefs and my lifestyle.:)

I agree wholeheartedly with what you had to say. It's easy to judge other cultures based upon your own beliefs and there are times when it is hard to understand another person's choice. However, I think it's sort of bothersome that a nurse would try to try to convince someone to change their mind, when it's already made up based upon fundamental religious beliefs, or even worse to force someone through the courts to receive treatment they have refused when the result is basically their possible eternal damnation according to their beliefs.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2007

Those poor babies :scrying:

justme1972 · Nov 8, 2007

Sometimes I wonder if many JW's believe that they will ACTUALLY die or do they hope against hope that by some miracle they will survive?

I have run into many JW's throughout the years that don't seem to have a very realistic view that blood additives don't fix everything that actual blood is necessary.

What is also tragic is that this is an INTERPRETATION from the bible (because JW's think it's the same thing as drinking blood) and not anything it specifically states.

Not to knock the religion, but I wonder why they are not vegetarians b/c anytime you eat meat, there is blood in the meat, you are just cooking it so it doesn't hurt you when you eat it.

Djuna · Nov 8, 2007

I cared for a beautiful 20 year old man with leukaemia who refused a blood transfusion due to his religious beliefs and subsequently died. Such dignity and peace in the face of tragedy, I was humbled and in awe how the family dealt with his passing.

While I will never understand why people choose death over life, I will always uphold a patient's right to choose whether to accept medical care or decline it.

Sabby_NC · Nov 8, 2007

We see it as a tragedy but the mother was following her faith.

Now that to me takes a LOT of faith to know she is leaving her babies behind.

JentheRN05, RN · Nov 8, 2007

I am NOT Jehovoas Witness or anything, but i know what it's like. I nearly coded with a a 3.4 count. I was delirious and refusing blood because of the chance of AIDS at the time (1989) Only way I survived was my mom, a nurse, came back to the hospital and stuck me. I said that was the only way I would take the blood. So they allowed it. I wouldn't be here otherwise. I was truly delirious. I kept passing out, couldn't move, terrible feeling. But I'm here 18 years later due to my mom.

Glina · Nov 8, 2007

i respect life more then anything. i am a mother, i have two girls, and i think that a mother has to be a mother first and then, after that, can be anything she wants. but, on the first place, and next 9, she has to be a mother and think about her children first. for me, there is no religion, no great cause or anything like that, which i would die for and leave my children without a mother. i would die only for them; everything else is just beyond me. for me, it is incredibly selfish, once you have children, to think about yourself, your beliefs or anything else before your children. to me, that is just primitive. i respect other opinions as i cannot change them, but, there is no greater cause except my children, except life itself.

TrudyRN · Nov 8, 2007

Sad, but it was her right to refuse. My heart breaks for the baby twins, to have to grow up without ever knowing their mother.

That was my first thought but maybe it is somehow better for all concerned. I hope so. :uhoh3:

RN1980 · Nov 8, 2007

Can you guarantee she would have lived with the blood transfusion?

nope, but i can guarantee i'd bust my ass to save her life so she could see her childs first b-day, and i could goto bed at night without knowing i had to stand by with my hands in my pocket and say "well you know it's her right" yea, well it does'nt change the fact that a woman died and i'm glad i was'nt there.

BULLYDAWGRN, RN · Nov 9, 2007

rn1980 i feel what you're saying but you still have to abide by the patients rights in the long run. never had a episode like that and hope i don't.

RN1980 · Nov 9, 2007

oh no i'd let her die in peace and with all the dignity she could muster. but i believe i'd be alittle more upset than just saying "oh well you know it's her right" thats a hoqwash excuss to make yourself feel good, when you should feel ticked off. but what are you going to do.