Right or Wrong????

[HDV]

I just read this article in the Sault Star, what do you think? I have my own opinions on this. I want to see what others think as well.

http://saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2985479

[Anapeg]

The little guy is dead. It is time to let him go. You would do as much for a pet, why drag things out for the kid.

[Peety]

The little guy is dead. It is time to let him go. You would do as much for a pet, why drag things out for the kid.

I agree,

[HDV]

I know that no parent would ever want to let their child go. That is understandable. The poor little guy is brain dead, deaf, blind, has no control over anything at all. It is best to let him go. Sad as it is, it is the right thing to do for him.

[Peety]

I know that no parent would ever want to let their child go. That is understandable. The poor little guy is brain dead, deaf, blind, has no control over anything at all. It is best to let him go. Sad as it is, it is the right thing to do for him.

Very sad.

[Karen-Annie]

It is unbearable to give up hope and say good-bye to a child......but to me, it is MORE unbearable to see them suffer or have no quality of life. I believe that I will see loved ones again......and that they will visit me here when I most need them. But even if I didn't, I would not, indeed could not, keep them "alive" in that state.

[1337]

That's not what the argument is. The argument is that the parents want the child to be brought home to die. Not die in the hospital. It's not a question of whether or not the child should die, it's a question as to where.

[HDV]

Ya I got that part after.. I dont know why they wont let him go peacefully at home. They had another child pass away as well and they were allowed to bring her home to die. I think the doctors think that the little boy will suffer in pain if he is brought home to die. Very very sad though

[dancingqueen]

and who should have this decision I would imagine... Why do the courts get to decide this?

[Anapeg]

That's not what the argument is. The argument is that the parents want the child to be brought home to die. Not die in the hospital. It's not a question of whether or not the child should die, it's a question as to where.

This is not completely true. They want a trichotomy to be done to prolong his life so he can breath unaided until he dies. Poor little bugger deserves better than that.

[riggs]

and who should have this decision I would imagine... Why do the courts get to decide this?

I would assume a difference of opinion would end up involving the courts. The parents who believe for one reason or another, their child should die at home. (which I'm sure makes no difference to their child) and the medical profession who believes this decision would create more suffering for the child. The truly wonderful thing about this country is that these people were allowed their day in court.

[Karen-Annie]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Maybe it is because I was a medical professional but given the disease and the previous history, I have to agree with the medical decision. This poor child has a horrendous disease. The parents are concerned that when the ventilation tube is removed, he will choke to death and want him trached and on ventilation at home. Having seen first hand( and performed such care myself) what trach care involves, how uncomfortable it is, etc., I just don't see it as a "peaceful death". This story does not have a right or wrong or a happy ending no matter what is done.

What I DO think is imperative is that the hospital do EVERYTHING possible to make sure that when that tube is removed, the child is made as comfortable as humanly possible and he and the parents are treated with utmost compassion and respect; that everything that can be done is done to make sure the awful death the parents are anticipating does not come to pass.

[Bluesky]

I too agree with KA. I think it selfish on the parents part to insist on a tracheotomy so that the child can live long enough to die at home?? That's nuts. And that ONLY benefits the parents, (and that, only emotionally) NOT the child. The child is in a vegetative state. This would give NO benefit to the child whatsoever.
Remove lifesupport, and let the child go. The courts were right in this case.

[dancingqueen]

I would assume a difference of opinion would end up involving the courts. The parents who believe for one reason or another, their child should die at home. (which I'm sure makes no difference to their child) and the medical profession who believes this decision would create more suffering for the child. The truly wonderful thing about this country is that these people were allowed their day in court.

Fair enough. I see that need now.
A non emotional, unbiased decider had to get involved.

[chris5]

My grandfather Died of ALS (Lou Gherigh's Disease)... He didnt really die from the disease but from one of the side effects of the disease... His muscles around his lungs no longer had the capacity to clear the fluid out... so slowly, and I mean slowly, he drown in his own fluids... He was a fighter and he continued to fight till he could fight no more...

He died in the hospital... It was the saddest day in my life.... My whole family was there... He was in a room with four beds... We had no privacy and we had to grieve while others were in the beds around us... Everyone in the room knew what was going on...

My mother and grandmother fought with the doctors to stop sucking out the fluid with a suction pump because it was obvious it was just prolonging his agony... They wanted to bring him home, and let him die in the house he built, with his friends and family there to support him... The doctors would not allow it as they thought it would cause him more discomfort that necessary... To this day my mother still talks on how inhumane it was to let him litterally drown, slowly, in his own fluid... I have a tear in my eye as I recal this sad moment in my past... He was a grandsons grandfather... my hero...

[Dragonfly]

I would love to say that faced with this decision I would let the child go. In reality, thinking about, really thinking about and putting myself as deep into these parent's shoes...I really dont know if I could either. Things are much much harder when you are the one who ultimately has to say "pull the plug" unfathomable grief would come with that.

[MagicFingers]

With the type of care that can be giving my various nursing companies I don't understand why they can not transport the child ventaliation and all with a nursing staff home to die.....There are many of outpatient care services, it isn't much different than terminal ill patients at ARCH only it is in their own home. i say let the child go home.

[Bluesky]

My grandfather Died of ALS (Lou Gherigh's Disease)... He didnt really die from the disease but from one of the side effects of the disease... His muscles around his lungs no longer had the capacity to clear the fluid out... so slowly, and I mean slowly, he drown in his own fluids... He was a fighter and he continued to fight till he could fight no more...

He died in the hospital... It was the saddest day in my life.... My whole family was there... He was in a room with four beds... We had no privacy and we had to grieve while others were in the beds around us... Everyone in the room knew what was going on...

My mother and grandmother fought with the doctors to stop sucking out the fluid with a suction pump because it was obvious it was just prolonging his agony... They wanted to bring him home, and let him die in the house he built, with his friends and family there to support him... The doctors would not allow it as they thought it would cause him more discomfort that necessary... To this day my mother still talks on how inhumane it was to let him litterally drown, slowly, in his own fluid... I have a tear in my eye as I recal this sad moment in my past... He was a grandsons grandfather... my hero...

Correct me if I'm wrong, K-A, but can an individual or his guardians not sign themselves out?

[Peety]

Correct me if I'm wrong, K-A, but can an individual or his guardians not sign themselves out?

If they are sound mind.

[Karen-Annie]

Correct me if I'm wrong, K-A, but can an individual or his guardians not sign themselves out?

If the patient is competent, they can sign themselves out. If not, if there is a durable power of attorney for medical decisions in place, the designated person could sign them out....having said that, if the hospital and docs believe that such a decision is hinky, they could get a court order to prevent the move to home to take place. In the case of a child, the parent theoretically could sign them out but it wouldn't be that simple. Like happens when Jehovah Witness parents refuse a blood transfusion for their child, the hospital would likely contact Children's Aid who would go to court for an emergency order that they (CAS) assume legal custody of the child.