After my surgery when they fused my two vertebrae's together I had caught double pneumonia and was not expected to live. I remember distinctly one evening with ice bags up and down my body a very high temperature and each exhale was a cough of mucus and seeing my mother in a chair curled up with blankets all around her ready to help me if needed be. I knew right then and there all I would have to do was go to sleep and I would never have woken up, I just know that has a fact. I decided not to go to sleep because I knew my mother would be extremely upset for the rest of her life and the rest of my family as well. Bobbie
Smile Everyday > On Nov 16, 2013, at 1:52 PM, Jim Lubin <[email protected]> wrote: > > When I first read the story my first reaction was well at least they gave him > the chance to decide for himself. After all, if he had a living will and said > he did not want to be put on life support and they did then that would have > been against his predetermined wishes. Didn't his sister the nurse said that > he had said that to her? I guess he didn't have anything in writing. > > After reading the comments people posted here about being on medication and > not being able to make a clear decision I had not thought of that. > > I thought back to when I was first in the hospital paralyzed. I was in so > much pain (nerve pain) that I just wanted to die so the pain would end. The > morphine and the "pain cocktail" helped. I never thought or what I would or > would not be able to do not being able to move. I don't remember ever > thinking of turning the ventilator off. > > >> On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 12:00 PM, Don Price <[email protected]> wrote: >> Just read a letter Paul Tobin, President of United Spinal Association (and >> quad) wrote regarding this very issue. Here is part of it: >> "What a life I would have missed if I had been asked to end it all at the >> wrong time. >> I hope that I am not minimizing the pain and suffering that the Bowers >> family feels, or adding to their grief. That is truly not my intention. >> I do however question a medical community that looked upon, and reinforced >> the notion that Mr. Bowers was broken and unrepairable. With today’s >> technologies and advances, Mr. Bowers may have been able to breathe without >> the need for a ventilator and be independent once again. The truth is that >> we’ll never know because a grieving family and medical team asked a >> frightened man to make a decision when he was at his most vulnerable state, >> without the benefit of time and counseling that would be provided to almost >> any other patient. >> We counsel suicidal people and people with life-threatening illnesses. We >> fight for the rights of unborn children. We’ll rally to the call for an >> animal that needs surgery. But if you’re paralyzed and won’t be able to walk >> or breathe on your own, watch out. At the most vulnerable time in your life, >> your doctor may ask you if he or she can throw the switch." >> Paul J. Tobin >> President & CEO >> United Spinal Association >> >> http://www.spinalcord.org/giving-my-uninformed-consent-to-die/?utm_source=UnitedNewsletterList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter+2013+11 >> >> >> On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 3:16 PM, Gmail <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> I've been thinking about the guy in the Deer Hunter story. I remember very >> well when I was in intensive care and my doctor came in with a young 18 Year >> old boy (I was 17) who was going to be going to school for physical therapy. >> I distinctly really remember my doctor saying " ... Ken I'd like you to >> meet Bobbie, she just came in the other day. Isn't she pretty? I'd like you >> to stretch her heel cords each day." Now what if this doctor decided my life >> was not worth living and did not give me any life-support? Instead he make >> me feel good about myself, Ken and I ended up dating for one year. He was >> the best medicine I ever had. >> Bobbie >> >> >> >> Smile Everyday >> >>> On Nov 12, 2013, at 3:48 PM, RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> It makes most of us angry.............because with the right drugs, docs >>> and set of cicumstances it could have been any of us. Similar to an aborted >>> child. this man never had a chance. >>> >>> Ron >>> >>> From: Don Price <[email protected]> >>> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> >>> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:44 PM >>> Subject: [QUAD-L] That Deer Hunter Story >>> >>> I didn't reply to the earlier thread about the injured deer hunter who >>> "chose" to have his breathing tube removed; in fact, I was so upset I >>> deleted the whole discussion. >>> >>> After thinking about it for a while I am still extremely emotional, going >>> between empathy and rage. I felt I had to reply, if only for my own relief >>> through venting. >>> >>> While we don't know every detail of the story, I still feel STRONGLY that >>> allowing this man to make this decision while medically impaired is the >>> equivalent of giving a handgun to someone who is suicidal. "So, your life >>> sucks right now and you want to end it? Well, it IS your decision, after >>> all. Here's a revolver. Be sure to aim upward, and here are some >>> hollow-point bullets to help you succeed. Thanks for easing the 'burden' on >>> your family and our healthcare system." This is insane! No one would >>> condone a healthcare provider sanctioning such an action, but they are ok >>> with this?! >>> >>> Like so many of you on this list, I contemplated whether I wanted to live >>> after becoming a quadriplegic. Had somebody asked me to make life decisions >>> at that moment, I doubt I'd be here today. While we know life with >>> quadriplegia is difficult, it can also be wonderful. I've had so many >>> blessings and amazing times that I am thankful for every day I'm here. I >>> want to live a lot longer. >>> >>> My real anger is reserved for the medical staff that allowed this hasty >>> decision to be made under clear duress, and for his family members who >>> viewed him as damaged beyond saving. I know I can't question their >>> motives--surely they thought the were doing good by him--but medical >>> professionals, including the nurse-sister, should have had better >>> judgement. If there were ANY narcotics or mind-altering medications in his >>> system how could his thought process be considered lucid? The news account >>> states he wasn't even able to speak! >>> >>> In the end this perpetuates society's view that people with disabilities >>> are "damaged goods"-- disposable commodities. How many times have we heard >>> "I'd rather be dead than in a wheelchair"? While his accident was horrible, >>> snuffing his life was the real tragedy here. What a shame. >>> >>> Don. >>> >>> http://www.recorder.com/news/nation/world/9197116-95/paralyzed-deer-hunter-chooses-to-end-life-support >
