 |
 |
Forgoing Medical Treatment |
|
 Stopping
treatment
Sometimes people feel that if they stop a treatment such as a feeding
tube or breathing machine,
then they will have "killed" their loved one. The law does not see
stopping these procedures as raising any questions of homicide
or suicide. You are under no legal obligation as an adult to take
any medical care (unless your disease is a risk to others). The natural
progression of the disease is what prevents you from eating, drinking,
or breathing normally. Stopping treatments that replace these natural
functions only allows the disease to follow its natural course. Even
if these treatments have been in place for months or years, it is
all right to stop them and allow death to occur.
 A
Case Study
Mr. G. was a 99-year old concentration camp survivor with stomach
cancer, admitted to an inpatient hospice for end of life care. Mrs.
G, 94 years old, stayed with him day and night, and often wondered
aloud how she would live without him. As the days passed, Mr. G. ate
less and less, despite his wife's cajoling him to "eat to keep up
his strength." Still, Mr. and Mrs. G. had agreed that he did not want
a feeding tube, as that would not do anything to cure or treat his
cancer.
When Mr. G became comatose, his daughter and grandson were called
from their home hundreds of miles away. Mr. G.'s grandson stayed with
him for a while, then left the room and tearfully insisted that the
doctor put in a feeding tube to "give him a few more days." The doctor
explained that tube feeding might give Mr. G "a few more days" but
would more likely cause pain from having the tube in place, diarrhea
from liquid feedings that Mr. G.'s stomach and intestines could no
longer tolerate, and shortness of breath from fluid build-up.
Mr. G.'s grandson admitted that he was not ready for his grandfather
to die. He found it hard to believe that artificial feedings would
not strengthen Mr. G. Mr. G.'s daughter reminded her son of how peaceful
Mr. G looked. She compared that to having pain, diarrhea, and shortness
of breath. Although Mr. G.'s grandson still did not want his grandfather
to die, he did not want him to have pain or other discomfort. No feeding
tube was placed. Mr. G. died the next day, peacefully, surrounded
by his family. |
|
Adapted from The
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness,
by Joanne Lynn and Joan Harrold, copyright by Joanne Lynn, used by
permission of Oxford University Press.
|
|
|
