When to take a faimly member off life support

Stone · 02-24-2005, 08:13 PM

I was reminded of this by watching the news.

If you we're in a condition where your life we're being supported by machines would you want to be taken off lifesupport?

Have you ever been in any situations where this has happened?

My parents did with my brother, I almost did with Noah, and my best friends kid sister did aswell, I think it has to be the hardest decision for anyone to make, it still haunts me several years later.

Duke · 02-24-2005, 11:29 PM

I think it would depend on the individual situation but if I was to feel there was no hope then I'd prolly say "pull the plug".

Merika · 02-25-2005, 05:57 AM

I've been following a couple of the bigger stories about that too SH. With modern meds and techniques....there is always hope that 'tomorrow' a cure or help will be found. It would always be a hard choice to make.

Much of it for me, regarding my own family, would be based on age, circumstance and their personal wishes.

I don't think that 'pulling the plug' means someone is playing God. I think each circumstance stands on it's own merit and has to be chosen on an individual basis.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be kept alive longer than 3-6 months.

Star · 02-25-2005, 06:17 AM

That would be the hardest decision I'd ever have to make in my whole entire life. I'd have a really hard time to decide whether or not to pull the plug on someone I love. Even if it was their wish to do so.

as for me, everyone in my family already knows that if I'm a vegetable, don't keep me alive by a machine. pull the plug. I hate the thought of my kids visiting me and I don't know they're there. That would be way too heartbreaking for them. I'd rather they grieve my death then grieve me being a vegetable for 1 year then my death when the plug is pulled after that year.

Samson · 02-25-2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Personally, I wouldn't want to be kept alive longer than 3-6 months.

You know, then for heaven's sake why can we not simply pick up a freakin' legal form as easily as we buy lottery tickets, check the box that limits life support to 6 months max, and mail it in with our vehicle registration renewal or to the county tax assessor with a nominal $5.00 processing fee?

This could be done so simply, but we must make it a Great Moral Issue, or we must rely on the hapless survivors to make the agonizing decisions for us!

I say we should all exchange a sealed envelope with instructions in the event we are incapacitated and on life support for longer than X months.

Perhaps these instructions could go out annually, just so everyone knows, and no one forgets:

"Merry Christmas Aunt Sally, Hope you are feeling great. Just a cheerful little holiday note to remember to unplug my life support, and to cease any heroic efforts to maintain my vital signs after 6 months."

Have a Happy New Year,
Samson

Samson · 02-25-2005, 08:11 AM

Also, doesn't anyone see the irony about ceasing life support on a discussion forum called Lifesupporters?

Anyway.................

Merika · 02-25-2005, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson

Also, doesn't anyone see the irony about ceasing life support on a discussion forum called Lifesupporters?
Anyway.................

:? = Samson

As posted elsewhere, my immediate family and I DID agree on those issues. I'm with you though...I think it should be filed in much the same manner as an organ donor is.

I would think morality would only be an issue...if someone wasn't happy with their own and wanted to prolong the feared end result. LOL!

Stone · 02-25-2005, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson

Quote:

Personally, I wouldn't want to be kept alive longer than 3-6 months.

You know, then for heaven's sake why can we not simply pick up a freakin' legal form as easily as we buy lottery tickets, check the box that limits life support to 6 months max, and mail it in with our vehicle registration renewal or to the county tax assessor with a nominal $5.00 processing fee?

YOu can it's called a Living Trust, you choose either your children, spouce or "seragate" to make the decisions for you witch can be written in the trust, called a "seragant trustee" I'll write a post about that later.. I sell loads of trusts. They run about $200.00 for a professional to do it or you can do it yourself. Trusts also avoid probate so your Trustees can NEVER be overridden in court. Most of the time Trusts don't make it to Probate.

Stone · 02-25-2005, 09:58 AM

My brother was taken off Lifesupport at 4 years old after he drowned. My parents made the choice IMMEADIATLY. personally after the experience with Noah I think they should have waited.

My friend Christiana was taken off Immeadatly as well in December after a drug overdose..

Noah was in a comma for 8 days the doctors told me that the "choice" would be comming and to get prepared for it... 3 days later he woke up and ate a popsicle.

I was prepared to take him off Lifesupport if I had to be in that situation NOW If ever faced with that again I will wait 3-6 months unless my parents have it in there Trust.

darkangelism · 02-25-2005, 10:07 AM

my life is up to my parents, i signed them the power last year, and i choose for them also. My dad would want to die quick, and my mom would want to wait.

Merika · 02-25-2005, 10:35 AM

I can't imagine being on life support for YEARS....and just waking up with tons of new wrinkles. That sounds silly.....but it's not worth sticking around for. LOL!

Duke · 02-25-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson

Also, doesn't anyone see the irony about ceasing life support on a discussion forum called Lifesupporters?

Anyway.................

rolf, thats rich

Luba · 11-12-2005, 08:21 PM

My husband and I have a living will made just in case that happened...

Fayebelle · 12-10-2005, 12:06 AM

I believe God will let you live if it's meant to be Just b/c man CAN keep someone alive doesn't mean he should

I'm a plug puller Don't mean that harshly it just really is that simple to me