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Refuse life prolonging treatment? Never, sometimes, always?

Posted , 4 users are following.

georgeGG
georgeGG

We may have well considered views on self destruction. How well do those views translate to refusing life prolonging treatment when the going has become really very tough indeed.? Where would your priorities lie? How much would you be swayed by family and friends. Would all family and friends be given equal wieght in their views.

2 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • STD
    STD georgeGG

    Posted

    It's a matter of individual choice.  There's a great deal of difference between consciously taking someone's life away (whether they sanction it or not) and the patient simply saying, for example, "I've had enough chemo.  I am not prepared to take any more", or "I really need that extra dose of pain killer, whether I'm taking a chance with my life or not."  Life prolonging treatment can have hellish side effects and it really should be up to the patient to decide whether they want to bother or not.  
  • Guest
    Guest georgeGG

    Posted

    Each individual should have the basic right to choose. Many people cannot bring themsleves to think of this in even the simplest terms, but for all who can I believe they will think much as I do, particularly if they have witnessed some of the appalling consequences of prolonging a life while prolonging the agony.

    In broad terms I see this as a matter of quality of life. While our individual approach to our quality of life must be varied I think that there is a point for everyone when the quality of life becomes a matter of concern. This must be heightened by the reality of longer lives. What is life for if an individual cannot make decisions about it? We are not here for the benefit of everyone else even though the vast majority make strong attempts throughout their lives to be of benefit to others. And while doing so have no thoughts of receiving benefits for themselves.

    To avoid the alarmist shrieks of doomsters then any decision ought to be made by those of us who give thought to this while we are of sound mind and free from any interference by word or deed. It does need legal backing and therefore has to be in writing. The present campaign by  Dignity in Dying is a start.

  • frustrated61
    frustrated61 georgeGG

    Posted

    Hi Doc ~

    Again, as I stated in the DNR discussion, it's a personal choice and I don't believe anyone has the right to pursue them into a life of possible ruin.  It's a horrible thing to sit by and watch someone pass away but moreso if you try to sustain their lives when it will be nothing as far as quality.  Suffering for others may have been ok in the ancient days but now a days when one has a choice to DNR or not, it's up to them

    Anyway, that's all I have to say about that smile

    Frustrated

  • joy47826
    joy47826 georgeGG

    Posted

    I'd like to be able to go bye bye on my terms...my life my terms.

    I believe it's Oregon and New Mexico have laws for end of life time....

    California has talked about this law and talking about it again now.

    When things get too tough, I would like to have that "pill"......joy 76 US

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG joy47826

      Posted

      And you are sure there is nothing beyond but flying overbthe Pacific. What if someone had been there and found it to be different?
    • joy47826
      joy47826 georgeGG

      Posted

      Until someone can come to tell me differently, these are my plans....

      Your plans are yours,. mine are mine.   

      Everything is valid...

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG joy47826

      Posted

      Mmmm? well, I know I didn't draw out the rules. It was not my Idea to get prostate cancer and then not be told of the warning signs until it had developed into locally advanced agressive PCa. Not my plan at all. Not my plan that I annd my loved ones grow old. Not my plan that people die and on the evidence of the past I too shall die. No, not my plan. 

      So why is there a universe and why are we we in it? Mmm? Well  Joy you must be a very powerful being to have your own plan.

    • joy47826
      joy47826 georgeGG

      Posted

      My plan was  NOT to end up with OA and it hit me starting at 18, also in my family, so I guess I was doomed....it was not my plan, but I deal with it....

      I've been taking many supplements for 25 yrs and I know there are many to work with the prostate....and one I take for 19 yrs I was told "may" prevent cancer....so maybe I've been at the right places in my life...

      It's all a crapshoot and where we are and how we got there.  etc...

      I'm thankful I'm not in the middle east, talk about misery, the seats of religious fanatics...

      I don't know why the universe and why we are in it, I don't dwell on that, I'm here and going thru my life as I do.....and I think we can make our plans in some ways.......Joy 76 US 

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