Quality of life

After working at Henry Ford in the oncology department becoming depressed with death and watching the suffering I started to change my views on life and death.  This past month I had reaffirmation after what a doctor presented about a case.  I give this doctor all the credit in the world because he did what most cannot do.  

When the body goes without oxygen for a period of time, the brain dies.  That can leave a patient hooked up to life supportive measures for a long time, depending on whether or not they develop infections that post a secondary problem.  Technically you cannot be considered brain dead if you do not have sustained apnea (stopping of breathing).  Sometimes just taking one breath every few minutes is enough to not consider a person "brain dead" even though they have absolutely no other reflex.  

Parents hope for a miracle.  Hell, I would hope for a miracle for anyone, but we must face reality.  

A doctor spoke up.  He let a family know that a child grows.  You must think about your quality of life as well as the childs' quality of life when their whole body is not functioning.  

A little baby or child grows up into a grown adult.  A loved one will have tunnel vision when the cute little one is in front of them.  All they are thinking about is a positive outcome, because why would we ever want a negative one?  While it may be easy to change and bathe a child now, when they are 20 and weigh 150 pounds changing them on your own gets a little bit difficult and causes stress to the caregiver.  

Don't take this as a debbie downer post.  Take this as a lesson, a lesson that life is fragile.  

Know what you want for yourself.  Adults are not the only ones who die.  Sick people are not the only ones who die.  Perfectly healthy newborns die.  The guy who runs 5 marathons a year can die. 

 Death knows no boundaries, it can take us all.  

Therefore we must be advocates for ourselves.  Fill out the paperwork and discuss with your loved ones what you want and keep it handy if needed.  If you want life sustaining measures, make sure your family is up to the challenge it is going to pose to them as your caregiver.  

Think about all avenues before making your decision, and make your decision now.