My grandmother is on life support ,unfortunately pulling the plug was put on my head should i pull the plug?
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ANSWERS: 12
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Talk to the doctors, see what they say. Talk to your family as well, get thier opinion, you are not on your own here, people can help you. Be strong and Good Luck with a terrible decision.
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Do you know what she would want you to do? My grandmother made a living will saying exactly what she wanted done and what she wanted not. If she was not going to live again, she did not want an artificial life. It's a rough decision, and I'm really sorry you have to make it. Hang in there. And it's not wrong of you if you choose to pull it, and don't let anyone tell you it is.
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Circumstances must be examined. Doctors consulted with discretion. Her age, her chances of coming off life support. Remember that being on life support is not the same as being dead--pulling the plug will, in most cases, make her actually dead with no hope of recovery. Were her wishes ever expressed? For instance, my mother demanded "No extra-ordinary means of maintaining life should be used." But, my father said, "All extra-ordinary means should be used." We knew what they wanted if pulling or not pulling ever became an issue. You must think on this for a long time. If you pray, I don't have to tell you to pray...
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Pulling the plug is immoral. Of course you must not do this. Resist the temptation. Resist! If you will benefit from her death then it is even more immoral for you to pull the plug. Absolutely not! If she is in pain see to it that she is properly medicated. These days there is no reason for anyone to suffer pain. --Except that doctors are often afraid to precribe properly out of fear of being accused of being drug dealers. If appropriate get her into a hospice. Ask the doctors about one.
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The decision was "put on your head." Oh, no!That's for the whole family to particiate in. Don't allow them to cop out and make you shoulder the whole burden. They are obligated to be with you in this awful decision process.
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I'm sorry to hear you have this burden, and there never really is a true cut answer. Speak with your doctors about what her life would be like. Think of what your grandmother would want. Listen to your gut. God bless you.
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You've already had very good answers: 1 - Talking to the doctors. 2 - Weighing the options. 3 - Talking and praying with the family. 4.- Remembering her wishes and instructions. I cannot add anything better. If there is a chaplain or social worker in the hospital, those people have special training to help you process the decsion and support you in it. what i will do is pray for you that you will have peace and guidance and healing for your loss.
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I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately that's a decision only you can make. I can however give you my opinion and what I MIGHT do in that situation. I personally would not want to live a poor quality of life- hooked up to machines, breathing tube shoved down my throat, tube fed, pain. If there was NO way I would ever get a decent quality of life back, I would want someone to pull the plug for me, and I would do the same for anyone else that wanted it. Good luck, and I hope your situation turns out for the best.
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As a nurse i have to be serious on this one, these decisions are never easy, in my line of work it doesn't get any easier the more i see it. The only advice i can offer would be to take into consideration, had she been composmentos did she express her wishes or mentioned that she wouldnt want to be left in that state? obviously by pulling the plug she hasn't got long or will always remain in her current state... and the burden of this shouldnt be put on you, its a family decision, i have watched my 2 dads and nan die all within 6 months so either way i feel for you, and wish you all the best. :)
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You've already got advice from every angle and I'm sure you have more than enough information to digest at this point. I would just like to add that I hope that this whole terrible situation will impress upon you and the rest of your family the urgent need to a living will/advanced directive. Since this is your grandmother I assume you still have parents and possible siblings. When this is resolved I hope you will encourage all family members over the age of 18 to establish a living will so that none of you ever have to go through this again. Best wishes.
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If there are other family members the responsibility should not rest with one, unless it was part of a pre-arrangement. I agree that there have been some excellent answers..weigh them all..consider the quality of life she now has and what she may have wanted.
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Is she in a comatose state? If so she is already dead, the person you knew that is. Without cognitive functions we are basically just animated meat with no Consciousness, or hope of coming back. The reality of life can be painful and seem not fair, but it's the way it is. The best thing you can do is pull the plug, remember her, and move on.
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