Replies

It IS horrible, I agree with you, the way things are IN SOME PLACES WITH SOME HEALTHCARE WORKERS, I know also, I have stories also, BUT 2 wrongs never make a right and their serving you up something wrong should not force your hand to do something you never intended, like die early!!!. They WOULD have you believe there is NO other option, basically my way or the high way, they perhaps would have you believe but - That is the way libs do things also, break a system that WAS operating fine (ie health care in 70s and 80s) so as to reign in their socialized medicine that is dispersed, as if one is at a state office handing out butter, boy you better be grateful and full of a guilt ridden, boy are we doing you a favor.

It is not so much WHAT they are doing that makes it all so difficult and unbearable. It is HOW they are doing. No one (workers) seems to want to be in these hospitals, nurses, techs, etc. When someone does come into a room that actually does like people and serving them it is like a most unbelievable ray of sunshine that can sustain you for quite awhile while undergoing this wretchedness.

However, we can't throw out the baby with the bath water. You can't go anywhere these days without bumping into alot of people who have bad attitudes and do not want to serve and are basically very selfish, of course you will find it in the hospital and health care. It's the cultural personality at this time in history, not the actual tests, procedures, treatments etc that are so wretched. The things we are able to do now, the technology, it is a miracle, a blessing - when it is not misused and abused.

Again, you can not throw it all out because there is some bad. Family members no matter what age must be watched by other family members (in the medical know) constantly!! They will try to shove drugs in you that you don't need. They will try to do tests that are not needed to run the bill up! No news - greed exists. I agree, one should get out of some of these h*ll holes as quick as possible to spare any more patient abuse but not at the expense of life.

>the provision of food and water doesn't constitute "heroic means" of sustaining life
>force your hand to do something you never intended, like die early

When the "provision"
of food and water requires
tubes forced down the throat

it's reasonable
for that person to decide
they'd rather not live

if their condition
showed no hope of improvement.
(I've talked to seniors

in exactly this
horrible situation.)
From a Christian view,

it is kind of strange
so many people react
as if death itself

were an inherent
evil. Christ often warned us
not to get attached

to this world, warned us
not to love life in this world. (1)
(And we know early

Christians followed Christ
because they had so little
fear of death even

Aurelius (2) was
unable to understand
what lay behind it.)

I don't think any
aspect of this issue is
straightforward to know.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) John 12:24-26

"Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
He who loves his life will lose it,
and he who hates his life in this world
will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me; and where I am,
there My servant will be also.
If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

(2) "What a soul that is which is ready, if at any moment it
must be separated from the body, and ready either to be
extinguished or dispersed or continue to exist; but so
that this readiness comes from a man's own judgement, not
from mere obstinacy, as with the Christians, but
considerately and with dignity and in a way to persuade
another, without tragic show." [Meditations, 11:3]