Do think it's moral to keep people alive on life support systems?
By bhchy1
@bhchy1 (6047)
United States
November 14, 2006 9:19pm CST
There are people who are brain dead or have been in coma for over a decade and we keep them alive through artifical means and in the mean time running up millions of dollars of medical costs..If it were you would you want to live like this? I wouldn't...
1 person likes this
3 responses
@tiff1496 (570)
• United States
15 Nov 06
Hi!
This is a very hard question. I know I wouldn't want to live like that.
My husband and I have had to make this decision before. Our first child was born with a heart defect and was 7 weeks early. He would of had to have 3 open heart surgeries to save his life (the first one at 2 days old). His brain started bleeding and the doctor told us things were looking bad. They recommended we take him off life support, and we did.
He lived 4 days. His hospital bills were over $200,000.00.
@bhchy1 (6047)
• United States
15 Nov 06
My grandson was born with one failing kidney..he lived his whole short life on life support...we never knew if he was suffereing or in pain..but I believe the outcome was meant to be. My oldest child was hit by a drunk driver last year and was in a coma for a week..even when she came out of it we didn't know if she would survive...she did and lives with traumatic brain injury now...If she were still in a coma now..it would hurt to let her go but it hurt to see her as she was...
@tiff1496 (570)
• United States
15 Nov 06
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Grandson. ((HUGS)) I also believe the outcome was meant to be with our first Son. We also didnt know if he was in pain.
I'm also sorry to hear about your daughter. It must be so hard. I will keep you in my prayers.
I'm here for you if you ever need to chat.
@lilaclily (23)
• United States
19 Feb 07
A lot of people confuse coma with vegetative state. Unfortunately relatives prolong sometimes the inevitable because they do not want to face the truth. Also, its very important to get a second opinion from another neurosurgeon as to what are any chances of recovery.
Keep in mind the surgeon that first did any brain surgery may be hesistant to admit that there is no hope for fear of lawsuits etc. They will keep the family on a string until they are out of hospital and into nursing homes which is worse than hell.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
14 Feb 07
This is a very tough question. I have to go on what my gut says and how I would want things handled if I was the one in the bed. I'd want them to pull the plug. I wouldn't want to live that way and I couldn't ask someone else to. If I'm meant to wake up I will without artifical means. If not then it was my time to go. For me being hooked up to a machine and laying in a bed for years is not living. There is no life to it. I'd just be a burden on others and have no interaction with them. I'd just be a vessel laying there waiting for release. I'd want to be let go. If I feel that way about myself how could I force another to live like that if I wouldn't?
