tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post7421862608330527929..comments2024-03-18T18:37:12.223-04:00Comments on Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Stephanie Gray: You Before Me is Better than Me Before You.Alex Schadenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-63477365361265784232016-06-03T18:29:32.540-04:002016-06-03T18:29:32.540-04:00Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. Coming from a ...Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. Coming from a through and through pro life doctor who has dealt with these situations many times, you need to understand that this was not euthanasia. When we conflate _allowing natural death from an underlying process_ with euthanasia, we weaken our case against active euthanasia which is the big issue facing us now.<br /><br />I don't know the details of the case but it sounds like she had a devastating stroke. Not feeding orally was probably done because she was at risk of aspirating (inhaling food into her lungs which would cause pneumonia). Inserting a feeding tube would not prevent aspiration. Giving IV fluids ("drip") does not increase comfort and often can make people work harder to breathe. A drip does not substitute giving good oral care (drips of water/lubricant on the mouth/tongue) which is exactly what you did for her. Meticulous oral care at the end of life is tremendously comforting. Agitation is something that happens frequently at the end of life, no matter the cause, and treating agitation with Haldol is consistent with good palliative care practices. Many drugs we use palliatively are used "off-label" but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of research backing up their use.<br /><br />Just because we are pro-life does not mean we need to use every technological means to stay alive when it becomes apparent that natural death is imminent.knittingbiddynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-13090365088567935252016-06-03T10:06:30.542-04:002016-06-03T10:06:30.542-04:00I am so sorry for your loss and having to witness ...I am so sorry for your loss and having to witness your sister's suffering. A drip might not have saved her life, but she would hsve been more comfortable. Your presence was truly what your sister needed. God Bless. pragmaticbboomer56https://www.blogger.com/profile/12049223135618445534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-25014721901028653132016-05-31T21:13:45.442-04:002016-05-31T21:13:45.442-04:00I am sorry for your loss, Kathy, and the terrible ...I am sorry for your loss, Kathy, and the terrible way it happened. Prayers for you and your family.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019839157533324968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-45191448058681091172016-05-31T17:22:16.626-04:002016-05-31T17:22:16.626-04:00The purpose of the boycott is to not give the movi...The purpose of the boycott is to not give the movie producers money.<br />Alex Schadenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649977828342637842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-2666178526442354952016-05-31T17:16:48.349-04:002016-05-31T17:16:48.349-04:00My sister Phyllis an eighty-six year old mother of...<br />My sister Phyllis an eighty-six year old mother of six had a stroke and ended up in the hospital a month ago. Luckily,she had retained her swallowing response so, we (my nephew and his two sons) made sure she got water on her dry lips and tongue. Suddenly it dawned on me that we shouldn't have to do that...where was her 'drip' I asked? One of my nieces who had Power-of-Attorney (along with her sister) said, "We have taken all food and water away!" The immensity of her statement didn't really sink in, until later, when her sister (the other Power-of-Attorney) asked why my nephew was hanging around so much, because his mom wasn't going to die for a few more days yet! Which, may me finally realize that they were euthanizing P their mom, who had done everything for them while they were growing up in spite of a shortage of many material goods. Then because Phyllis was agitated (likely because she was hungry and thirsty,) they asked the palliative care doctor to come down and recommend something that would calm her down! He recommended Haldol, which isn't even recommended by the drug manufacturer for use with dementia or Alzheimer's patients. So when I discovered this on the internet that night I phoned the hospital and asked them to discontinue that drug! We, Teddy and I had noticed a distinct change in Phyllis after her receiving it, because we hadn't even been able to get a sponge with a little water between her teeth. The drug had taken away her swallowing response. Every once in awhile her hand would come up as if she was trying to get something! The next day after they had taken away the Haldol they added two more drugs and she lay there breathing as if she was working hard at some job! Her doctor said she was resting comfortably! What a joke! There was simply nothing I could do. I called everyone I knew down east to get some advice but it was a weekend and I didn't have their cell phone numbers. After thirty-years in Pro-Life I was helpless! After about six days Phyllis died and I learned that one of my nieces who had the Power-of-Attorney had done the same to her father-in-law and seemed to think it was the kindest most harmless way to die! Needless to say I didn't go to their idea of a funeral service they prepared for her. I didn't need any more of their solicitations, I had had enough of their ideas concerning life and death!Kathy Bachmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-6259392752935359362016-05-31T15:50:51.546-04:002016-05-31T15:50:51.546-04:00Stephanie Gray that is a very inspiring article an...Stephanie Gray that is a very inspiring article and one of the best I've read on the cult of assisted suicide. I totally agree with it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684920986898930415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9216787076261944467.post-63245962624975840442016-05-31T12:53:14.416-04:002016-05-31T12:53:14.416-04:00Great article. My only problem with boycotts is th...Great article. My only problem with boycotts is that they don't usually accomplish their goal, but rather draw attention to the thing in question and result in more people going to see what the controversy is all about. ("Must be interesting!") ie. The 8-year Disney boycoott for example. Or 50 Shades of Gray.Marilyn Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07132314814281215477noreply@blogger.com