Stay or Go
By lisa0351
@lisa0351 (303)
United States
May 30, 2009 6:21pm CST
I guess I really started thinking....a person I know was in an accident and has basically been in a coma for a few weeks and hasnt improved, only worsened. He has major head injuries and damaged organs. Doctors said that there was no way he could live a normal life, may never walk, and may be wheelchair ridden forever. His family is grieving and won't pull the plug to end his life.
My thinking is that I wouldnt want my family to be burdened with the expense of keeping me in a coma just so I can be there in spirit. If there was a chance I would never be normal again, I wouldnt want to live. I would want my family to pull the plug after so long and let me go. What would you do if you were in that situation?
Also, in my line of work we have to ask people if they have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order before sending out an ambulance. Many people legally set documents to make sure they are not brought back if they quit breathing, go in to cardiac arrest or are in a vegetative state. Its almost starting to hit home with me so much with this incident, that Im looking into it.
3 people like this
7 responses
@pamelaanne (283)
• Philippines
31 May 09
Well, can that friend of yours speak? Or can he communicate in any ways with you? If so, ask him what his choice is.
On the other hand, if he can`t do anything at all and if I were on that state, I would probably prefer to go. By staying, I`ll just cause everyone pity and hardwork just to keep me alive. And maybe I`ll get depressed because I can`t do anything normal.
So yeah, I would prefer to go.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
31 May 09
I would never want to put my loved ones in the position of having to make a decision like that for me...and neither does my husband...so we each have living wills that state our exact wishes when it comes to serious illness or injury. We've also given each other medical POAs in case there are any problems. We're organ donors and my husband has another document designating that his kidneys go to his older brother who only has one. This document contains all of the information about the organ priority, including his brother's doctor's contact information. Last year he had a problem and my husband is the best match so, if something were to happen to him, his brother would immediately go into surgery as I understand it.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
31 May 09
I agree with you. I would say pull the plug if he has been asleep for so long. As sad as it all is. unless the doctors think that he might have a chance then alright but if this happened to me I would rather go ahead and not be on a plug if I was in a coma.
@dreamr802 (985)
• United States
31 May 09
If there was no chance I would ever be normal again then I would rather go then stay as well. But you have to also look at the family's perspective. It would be so hard to let that person die, you keep holding out because there are miracles everyday. Say if something happened to my boyfriend I would have a hard time accepting that nothing would make him better. But I know that personally I would want to go rather than stay.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
31 May 09
i would rather go than stay. i am always telling this to my wife and she knows that very clearly. i dont even want people mourning. if anything like this happened just pull the plug than wasting money on me. we have a son so my son deserves to use that money than to spend on my hospitalization and maintainance. thats what i am. if i can no longer live a normal life after reviving then i dont need to be revived. thats what i am.
@streakykj (24)
•
31 May 09
Hi,I have always said to my family and friends that if something like that had happend to me - I would not want to live. Its not fair on anyone or on the person that it has happened to. I know people find it hard to let go of there loved ones but sometimes it is for the best. I do think people should think about signing forms about things like this because although the family may think they know whats best and what that person would have wanted - is not always the case.
@cajandabcecilia (169)
• Philippines
31 May 09
I believe that one of the reason why we live is to help others. If your life is useless and your not worthy at all but a big burden to the people around you what is the reason for living.
I'd rather go than stay if i'm no longer helping and only making others life miserable.
