I’ve read all of them about this case so far. What do you think I missed? The claim that he’s dying and the food and water is simply causing him discomfort? I’ve seen hospices tell families that when it clearly was not true so please forgive me if I’m skeptical.
“The claim “
Reviewed by a judge.
Brian, I shouldn’t post on this thread, because I have done so on earlier threads, much to my regret. This subject is too close, and extremely painful to me, personally .
I recognize and respect your opinion on general medical emergency life-threatening issues, but not when it involves Parkinson’s, complicated by probable Lewy Body dementia, & consequent brain destruction. This is not in your area of expertise as a Podiatrist.
My beloved husband of 45 years, a brilliant MIT graduate with a master’s degree, died in March of 2011, after suffering for 14 years. I did my very best to care for him, constantly arguing in the later years with hospitals and rehab care after several Parkinson’s crises, to please respect the medical importance of scheduling his needed meds and meals, so the meds would work.
He suffered so when he was hospitalized and in rehab. The med team and the food delivery team didn’t/couldn’t deal with the timing issues - too complicated. If these are not controlled, the Parkinson’s meds aren’t absorbed, and don’t work.
As his autonomic nervous system shut down, gradually at first, and then cascading, he lost his desire to eat and drink, in spite of my best efforts to make his favorite foods, provide his favorite beverages.
When his internist, and neurologist specializing in autonomic disorders, then the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN could no longer help, hospice was my only hope to keep him out of pain, and free of fear, hallucinations, and overwhelming anxiety.
I looked for and found a wonderful Roman Catholic hospice, who came in, brought in a lift frame, hospital bed, a soothing Harpist playing his favorite music, and who helped manage his pain and make his final days quiet and peaceful, as he wanted.
While I respect your expertise in podiatry, I do not consider you qualified to express an opinion in this particular medical circumstance, or to pass judgement on those of us who are left to carry out the wishes of those we have loved for decades.
Please know that I am not alone in finding your general aspersions cast toward those of us who have had to make difficult and heart-breaking decision to let those we love so much go without the complications of extensive medical technology doing harm.
Do podiatrists take that oath - “first do no harm”? What happens when a feeding tube forces food into a stomach and bowel that are no longer functioning, when liquids are pushed into a dying body whose kidneys have shut down?
Tube feeding can do miracles in some situations, but not all. Stick to your specialty, or get informed about the complexity of end-of-life complicated issues.
This is rambling and long winded, probably because it comes from a dark place of pain and loss. This isn’t an intellectual discussion for me, it is deeply personal.
Agree, I've seen and heard that also and it was not true at all. Trusting medical care staff to give proper medical care for a loved relative is dangerous, imho for heart and soul. We need to advocate for our loved ones.