For those of you who don't know, this is a term we use in the medical world meaning "do not resuscitate." It is used as a status for those patients who have chosen that they do not want heroic measures (such as cpr, artificial breathing) taken to be kept alive should the situation arise. My opinion on this subject became even more defined this week after watching one of my patients near the end of her life.
I don't want to be misunderstood: I am in no way in favor one person ending another person's life. I am simply not in favor of unnecessarily prolonging one's life.
As I watched my 80 year old patient with a severe lung infection have a tube inserted down her throat, and then endure the trauma of CPR after her heart stopped a couple hours later, my heart ached. I think I felt a little of what her husband felt when he went to visit her a few hours later and said, "I don't think she would have wanted this."
As I watched the events unfold I couldn't help but wonder if I would feel the same way if it was my mother or spouse in that situation. Would I want that person to "live" as long as possible, no matter the cost? Or would I have had the peace to let go when their body did?
This is a heavy topic, surely one that requires a lot of discussion, thought, and consideration to the situation.
Often times with these kinds of patients I find myself praying that they know Jesus, and He would take them then.
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