Pulling the plug
By carpediem17
@carpediem17 (1315)
Singapore
July 20, 2010 10:23pm CST
Would you pull the plug on a loved one who is lying comatose and supported by a life system in a nursing home for the past one year or so due to injury or some strange illness?
This is a sad state of affairs and I have seen a few of such cases. I grief very much for the patient and his family whenever I encounter such a situation as hope seems so remote and finances can be strained because of nursing care.
My question is: Would you pull the plug or have the plug pulled on you if you are caughter in this situation? Looking forward to your views on this as it can be rather controversial.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
I heard a talk on this one, it was by a western Buddhist monk and he gave a really good suggestion. He told us that in this case, who is the best person to make the decision. Definitely the person who is unconscious!
Just ask gently to that person, do you want us to let go? After that, the person asking would know what to do, a close family member is usually connected to the patient and can receive an indication of whether yes or no.
Although this is a difficult decision, what we ultimately want is the best for the patient, so I think letting him choose for himself is the best thing to do.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
Not sure how effective that is, have they already tried that? It would be good to make one's own decision. I know I would want to do that, also it's very heart wrenching for my loved ones to make this decision.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
22 Jul 10
Sorry I wasn't too clear. What I meant was, after adopting the method I suggested, that is, asking the patient himself, can the doctors record his signals using some sort of machine? He might give indications that are not visible to the human mind, but maybe they can record his brain activity or changes in skin temperature or something like that? I hope this clarifies things.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
yup bluemoon, there has been suggestion to get indicators from the unconscious patient failing which consultation with medical experts can help throw some light as to the possibility of the patient regaining consciousness etc. Playing God should not be our aim.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
21 Jul 10
I had to do this last year to my Mother. She was ill and could not breath whatsoever on her own. She was sedated to keep her on the vent, so she would not remove it on her own. However, they had offered an alternative but the alternative did not make much differance as her body was shutting down despite the life support she had been on when the nursing home sent to her to the ER.
I will say it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life. 
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
21 Jul 10
She wasn't responsive to the antibiotics and they made several attempts to remove the tube only to hear her struggle to breathe. The Dr gave her under a year to live if she made it out of the hospital. We were hoping she would make some progress w/ the antibiotics but she did not. She was unhappy in the nursing home and with life as long as I could remember so perhaps it was the best for her to move on.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
Thank you for your sharing again. It must have been very tough. She is now at peace.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
Thank you 3SnuggleBunnies for your personal sharing. I believe there was sadness and some relief when the decision was made. I guess the clearest sign must be when the body starts to shut down. This is never an easy decision until all possibilities are explored.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
21 Jul 10
Hmmm.. Harsh as it may seem, but if I'm already very old, living at a home and am comatose, I think I'd rather that my plug be pulled. It's not only impractical to keep me on when I can't really do anything anymore.
I think the decision would be different if I were a healthy person who suddenly went to coma because of an accident. But if the doctors and health professionals would say that my chances of ever really be back to myself (without paralysis) is thin, I think after a year of coma, I'd rather that my family just pull my plug.
What about you?
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
Personally if i am caught in such a situation as being comatose for a year or so, i would like the plug to be pulled on me too so that i do not further inconvenience my family, finances and otherwise.
I would like people's last memory of me as being someone who enjoy life versus struggling for life. Thanks Laydee for your view.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
21 Jul 10
I would pull the plug / like the plug to be pulled on me. Living on a life support machine is not having a life, and it will be costing a lot of money to keep the machine running when the chances of the person having any decent quality of life again would be very slim.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
thank you for your response. Yes, i can't imagine what sad lives I am helping to create for my loved ones should i be a vegetable and helpless for a long period of time.
@allamgirl (2140)
• Philippines
21 Jul 10
personally, i would. if someone i love is in that situation, and there is no way that he can get better, i'd rather pull the plug. if it were to happen to me, that would be what i wanted to. i mean, that person is never gonna get better and if you don't pull the plug, you would just prolong the hardship.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
hi allamgirl, thank you for your comments. Indeed the decision whether to pull the plug or not cannot be taken lightly. This is after alot of consultations with doctors and experts on any probability of recovery for the patient and the quality of life thereafter.
@liuainihai (10)
• China
21 Jul 10
I have never meeet this.I think the comatose people is unfortunately.if I was the caughter I will have the plug pull on.because I tink we cann't give up it.the comatose people has the right to living.we has no powers to take away it.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
21 Jul 10
thank you liuainihai for your comments. I understand it is very hard to let go or give up on a life. There is a lot of "what ifs". Perhaps we need divine intervention in this.
