-=> Quoting Sondra Ball to All <=-
Hi, Sondra,
 
 SB> The dying is not the problem here.  My friend knows he is dying, and
 SB> is ready to pass over to the other side.  We know he is dying, and are
 SB> ready to sit with him as he passes on.  It is only the doctors who
 SB> cannot accept his dying.  Are they *that* terrified of mortality, that
 SB> this one frail old man's death will devastate them?
This is truly a sad story, and one that is not all that uncommon.  A man
who has led a full and active life as your friend has should be allowed
to slip away peacefully when recovery is impossible and when he has
indicated that that is his wish.  There seems to be a wide variety of
opinions in the medical profession on keeping people alive when there is
no hope of recovery.  I have heard that some doctors are afraid of being
sued for malpractice if they don't do everything technologically possible
to keep a person alive.  I have also heard that some doctors feel it is a
violation of the Hypocratic Oath to do anything that would hasten a dying
patient's end.  Some doctors have a different approach and if there is a
living will and the family is in agreement with it, will let a patient
with an incurable condition pass over.  Sometimes even the law dictates
what can or cannot be done.  Wisconsin has recently passed a law to allow
EMTs to not try to revive a person who has an advance directive.  Before
that EMTs _had_ to administer CPR, etc., regardless of the individual's
wishes.
I hope your friend passes over peacefully and quickly with his loved ones
around him.
Take care,
Robin
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.20
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