If I am admitted to a hospital experiencing extreme pain and told that I have a terminal disease, just months to live, and that the pain will only get worse from there, I definitely want to be presented with a choice re: pain meds (they key word there is “I”.)
And if that were to happen, I’d hope there was a Dr. like him around.
On the other hand, if he is skipping merrily through the ICU murdering people who had a great chance for recovery, he’s nothing but a murderer or a doctor playing God (which is the same thing, in my book - if that has been the action that he has taken). If that is the case, I’ll tell him to stay the heck away from me, and I’ll keep a small kimber .38acp by my side in case he’s hard of hearing,
I guess continuing to watch the trial is the only way we will know which of the above scenarios played out. If he killed those people w/o a very strong medical reason and w/o lots of communications/family, he needs to go to prison. “First, Do No Harm”
I recently read a really good book that sheds some light on this: ‘Being Mortal’ by Atul Gawande (medicine and what matters in the end). It was very good.
I’ve recently gone though some very difficult, long, drawn out end-of-life scenarios with both of my parents. I am filled with regret (though there’s nothing I could’ve done) and am heartbroken. I don’t want to put myself or my family through what I just witnessed and experienced over those 15 years.
Have we extended lives while ignoring the fact that in some cases the quality of life during those those “added” years may end up being a human suffering horror show?
I don’t have the answers, that’s for sure. But there’s got to be something better.
All jmo
!)
