Posted by Larry Hoover on December 12, 2004, at 15:38:24
In reply to Any ethicists out there?, posted by Dinah on December 12, 2004, at 14:02:32
I don't know if I'm an ethicist, but I might perhaps help clarify the decision you want to make.
> If I put my trust in the hospice, and my father dies, I will always wonder if my decision was responsible for his premature death.
> If I don't put my trust in hospice, and bring him to the hospital for more aggressive treatment for his liver failure, and later he is in horrible horrible pain while dying, I'll always wonder if my decision was responsible for his suffering.
And all you have to go on is his wishes...
> He *did* reluctantly say that he doesn't want to get CPR or be put on life support.
Here's how I see the decision tree. If he is hospitalized, heroic measures will be used, without question. Life will be prolonged until it is not possible to prolong it further. That is, unless he or next of kin sign a DNR.
Alternatively, standard care without heroic measures. It seems that this is most in line with his stated wishes.
He will soon die. The day of his death is not in your hands. I hope you can put your faith in your own judgment. I think you will know, as events unfold, what choices to make.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:428310
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20041209/msgs/428386.html