Which would you choose?
By 2004cqui
@2004cqui (2812)
United States
April 8, 2012 9:10am CST
I once knew a woman who lived to the age of 82. Her health had been disappearing little by little over time. She came down with a condition that would overtake her days if she chose treatment. Her doctor became so concerned over her decision not to treat it he actually called me to try and convince her to fight it. The first thing I did was let her know about this latest development. I knew why she made this decision and why the doctor was so adamant to change her mind. She said, " I've out lived my husband by 22 years, I am confined to a wheel chair, I'm already eating more medication than food, I'm taking medication for my reactions to medication. I have only two friends left and only one brother and one sister. (She came from a family of 7 children), I already spend too much of the taxpayer's money just trying to stay alive." She started thinking about taxpayers money when someone had said something about "lazy gold brickers who get tax payers money"! The doctor even said something he didn't realize would trigger this response. He said "what price life"? She felt enough was spent already. There are too many people out there who think assistance to the disabled and even the retired is unwarranted! "Too much money is spent on whiners."
Which would you choose if faced with this decision?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@obe212003 (2299)
• Philippines
8 Apr 12
I think the lady with such an advanced age is somewhat realistic with regards to what she has at hand; being wheelchair bound, having too many meds, etc. Treatment especially surgery would rather put her on more risks and pain. Hospice would be the best alternative, to die peacefully without pain.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Apr 12
hi 2002cqui well I p aid in to all the stuff that I am noiw using, I amn not costing one penyt to any taxpayer at all. Unlike the lady you talk about I am 85 and I want to live as long as I can, I am having a ball mylotting and having a few good friends. what more do I want? I can get arou nd with my walker. su re I take a f ew medications but am here in gold crest paid for out of my social security and ssi checks, no freebies, I mylot to pay most of my cable internet. If I needed treatment I will take it, I worked all mylife to age 80. I am not costing anyone any thing.As for those last two senences yuck , I am not a whiner I am happy and am living
my life each day.We who love our old age are mot whiners ever.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
10 Apr 12
Older folks ought to feel as if they'd done their part and enjoy the fact that now they can relax and reap the benefits of their ocntributions.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
9 Apr 12
I would not consider that I am waisting taxpayer's money, for me it would be if the doctor would have to take heroic measures to save my life. In other words, I would not conveniently die and I would find a doctor that does not give me a pill to compensate for the effects of another pill that might make my life more comfortable. I would keep alive and make sure that I can contribute to the society. After all, did not this woman raise seven children and did they not get jobs and did she not by working hard, budgeting, living through the depression help her family survive in those tough times? AFter all, it is not as if she were a leech.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
9 Apr 12
Given the age etc I would chose to not go on. My mother had cancer....she could have continued her treatments but decided it was just too hard. At that point I could see the life had already gone out of her eyes...she was just existing....so I would chose the same.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
9 Apr 12
I've taken care of the elderly all my life. I'm on the verge of being there myself. Life is precious. I respect that some who have terrible battles for health may want to stop fighting that battle, that is their right. I don't believe we should encourage them to end their fight by making them feel guilty over 'costing' to much. It is not a job for everyone, you have to be prepared to face your OWN mortality before you can minister to someone at the end of their life. Government bureaucrats have no place in that role, sometimes even doctors are insensitive in that role. We have as a nation worshiped youth. Our elderly are precious resources with much life experience and wisdom that we mostly ignore. Even those who are suffering with dementia can teach us about ourselves and our need for other human beings.
