BMW Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 In a week I will have surgery. At my pre-op appointment the Dr. asked me, "What would you like to be done if your heart stops beating and you flatline? Would you like us to shock you and keep you alive or would you like us to let you die?" Well... I hadn't thought of that, so I hadn't prepared an answer and what came out was... "I think I am kind of important to a couple of my kids... so... maybe you could shock me just once and see what happens?" (You have permission to laugh... my mom laughed... my mother in law laughed... I am laughing... kind of...) The Dr., bless his heart, just kept on rolling... then came back to the question, saying, "We don't really have an option 'shock once and see what happens'... you either want us to keep you alive, or you do not. I am just going to check the box 'Keep you alive' because you are young and have children." That was all said quite tenderly. Thanks, Doc! But, it is just disturbing sometimes... When I had to deliver my last baby in the hospital they asked me to sign a paper giving permission for a blood transfusion in case of emergency. I said no. They asked me again. I said no, that I didn't want someone else's blood in my body. They said, "What if you are going to die??" I said, "Fine! Give me the paper and I'll sign it!" I signed just to get them to stop asking me. Then I ruptured and nearly died, receiving 8 units of blood.... So... it's just weird... having to make these decisions... And now I feel nervous about surgery, too... So, how would you answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Repeatedly. Pound my chest with your fists and scream, "Not on my watch, ****it! You're not going to die on me!" Jump up and down on me, infuse me with the blood of another human or some blood substitute engineered in a lab. Whatever. Just keep me alive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I would want to be resuscitated. As you said, you have responsibilities toward your children and your husband as well. (And honestly, if God wants to take you home, they will not be able to resuscitate you.) But there are varying degrees of being kept alive. Having your heart shocked is very minimal in degree compared to having machines doing all your breathing for you and keeping your heart pumping. At that point, I would not want to be kept alive partly because I couldn't help my family at that point anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Is it only a yes or no answer? If my heart stopped beating and I flatlined, yes, try to keep me alive. But if I'm brain dead, I don't see the point. My family doesn't need the expense or emotional torment of keeping me alive in that state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariston Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Repeatedly. Pound my chest with your fists and scream, "Not on my watch, ****it! You're not going to die on me!" Jump up and down on me, infuse me with the blood of another human or some blood substitute engineered in a lab. Whatever. Just keep me alive! :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I can't imagine not wanting to be resuscitated? Just seems crazy to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 If my heart stopped beating and I flatlined, yes, try to keep me alive. But if I'm brain dead, I don't see the point. My family doesn't need the expense or emotional torment of keeping me alive in that state. :iagree: I think for some people, it's a religious thing. Once "gone" it's wrong to try to fight that and come back. At least that's what I've heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 To answer your question: I have a document lined up for that purpose explaining alternate scenarios and giving Power of Attorney to my husband... with my dad in second in case DH is also incapacitated. This document is close to what Heigh Ho has stated. I also have alternative measures listed in this document in the case of a needed transfusion. Whole blood from another person is not acceptable to me but there are many other things that the doctors can do. But the main reason that I am posting is this: :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I am sorry that this is scary. I will include you in my prayers. :grouphug: May the holy spirit give you peace.:grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Pretty in Pink, I loved your post. It is great to invoke a smile in a thread of this topic. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Dh can pull the plug a year later if I don't come out of a coma or vegetative state. :iagree: My dh and I have talked about this extensively and he knows that in surgery the doctors can do what they need to keep me alive. Sometimes a heart stopping can be restarted and no further issues arise from it. However, he also knows that extended life support when I am brain dead is not what I want for me or for him and the kids. It is an unpleasant topic to have to talk about,but after family members being in similar situations we have decided that it has to be talked about. :grouphug::grouphug: I hate having surgery and I hate having the discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 Thanks everyone. I guess I am a pie in the sky gal who just never thought about these hard questions... They catch me off guard. And I suppose I am a bury my head in the sand gal when it comes to it, too... I would just rather say, "Oh... whatever... it will be all right." I am not uncomfortable at all with the concept of death. Even for myself and having all the kids. I've been in a precarious airplane situation and didn't panic, I just prayed, "God, take care of my kids!" I flatlined in surgery when my uterus ruptured (same time I received blood). But, my heart started back after about 5-7 seconds, on it's own. I didn't want to receive blood because we had just recently studied the life of a man who died from having a transfusion and getting hiv... and it feels powerless to take in someone else's blood not knowing... None of my family is my blood type, either... I really, really like the responses... particularly the jump on me, do whatever it takes! I have to fill out the paperwork giving instructions for all the "what if"s... I am just having a hard time with it... I don't want to think of those things... I just want to smile, be happy and pluck a flower and sing a song and believe everything will be just fine... But, since I do mean a lot to my family and I know they would really, really be terribly upset if they lost me right now, I will skip town and forget all about surgery... HA... I will fill out the paperwork. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 and it feels powerless to take in someone else's blood not knowing... Wow. I am so glad that you shared that.That is exactly how my blood transfusion made me feel. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Repeatedly. Pound my chest with your fists and scream, "Not on my watch, ****it! You're not going to die on me!" Jump up and down on me, infuse me with the blood of another human or some blood substitute engineered in a lab. Whatever. Just keep me alive! :iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Repeatedly. Pound my chest with your fists and scream, "Not on my watch, ****it! You're not going to die on me!" Jump up and down on me, infuse me with the blood of another human or some blood substitute engineered in a lab. Whatever. Just keep me alive! My DH did chest compressions for 45 minutes the other day. Colorful language is not unusual. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 H*ll yes, keep me alive! People depend on me. In a few years when my teens are able to function on their own, I might have a different answer. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 "If you don't think you can keep me alive during this surgery, I think I want another doctor." What the h--- kind of stupid question is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindergretta Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 What Pretty in Pink said. :lol: She covered it! Bee - lots of prayers for peace, comfort, healing, and health for you! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Repeatedly. Pound my chest with your fists and scream, "Not on my watch, ****it! You're not going to die on me!" Jump up and down on me, infuse me with the blood of another human or some blood substitute engineered in a lab. Whatever. Just keep me alive! This. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Yikes that is scary! I would definitely say shock me, but I wouldn't want to be brain dead, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Shock me. Repeatedly. Pound my chest with your fists and scream, "Not on my watch, ****it! You're not going to die on me!" Jump up and down on me, infuse me with the blood of another human or some blood substitute engineered in a lab. Whatever. Just keep me alive! :iagree: I have a kid to raise and people depending on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Very interesting. I've had a few surgeries, including one in mid- December, and I have never, ever been asked that question. How odd! I guess that's sort of a living will, of sorts, in their possession. Well, as the parent of dependent children, my strong opinion is that someone would have an obligation to do whatever it takes to stay alive to care for them. That's just me, of course, but I can't really comprehend the alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akmommy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 "If you don't think you can keep me alive during this surgery, I think I want another doctor." What the h--- kind of stupid question is that? I think it's just a standard question asked prior to a major surgery. The dr. Wants to know what her preferences are in the event things go wrong. No matter how good your surgeon is anytime you open up the body and start messing with stuff things can go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think it's just a standard question asked prior to a major surgery. The dr. Wants to know what her preferences are in the event things go wrong. No matter how good your surgeon is anytime you open up the body and start messing with stuff things can go wrong. Like Jessica, I've had surgeries before and have never been asked this. My reply was the first thing that came to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Good heavens, shock away. Whatever it takes. I have kids at home and dh, bless his soul, who can't even manage instant oatmeal. The thoughts of what my littles girls would be wearing is even more frightening. If I've been on life support for a long...long time, that's a different story. Still think dh will need a maid (not affordable) or a new wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Well, I am different than most people, probably a little weird and I know it. I have already died twice (no pulse or respiration) so I probably have given this more thought than most. I would not want to be resuscitated. I have made sure that everyone I know is aware of this. My hubby has informed me that he simply could not just let me go without at least trying to save me so I have given him permission to try and manually resuscitate himself but if that fails to let me go. I do not want to be shocked nor do I want to accept blood products from a stranger. If any of my children whose blood type is compatible is available, then I would accept blood from them provided it is acceptable for transfusion. In my opinion, if God takes my life, who am I to take it back. Dead is dead. I can't really explain it much better than that but I feel very strongly about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 "If you don't think you can keep me alive during this surgery, I think I want another doctor." :D That made me LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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