Letting our child die peacefully
"My 12-year-old daughter, after 3 years of battling with cancer. was only suffering after repeated reoccurrences of the disease. She started out with the cancer in the bone of her left femur in April of 2000, then in February of 2001 the diseased appeared in her right femur and then a year later in her left rib cage. Within a few months the disease had spread to her lungs and she had surgery immediately after the findings, a few months later it was in the lungs again and the Dr.'s removed the infected areas. The third time it showed up in her lungs and in her lymph-nodes, the Dr.'s said they could operate, she may die on the operating table or even shortly after the surgery, but it was obvious to the Dr.'s and our family, that she would not survive this disease. Her poor, fragile, young body could only tolerate so many operations. So we had to decide if we wanted to continue with treatment, we chose not to. My precious child died on June 6,2003 only a month and a half after our last findings and the prognosis from the Dr.'s. She had suffered and endured so much for so long a time that we felt she should not have to suffer any more, if the Dr.'s themselves said she would eventually die from the disease, why should we prolong her suffering. We had begged and prayed for 3 years and I believe GOD had other plans for my daughter, plans for her in HEAVEN."
—Gisell O., Houston, TX

'Million-dollar baby'
"My husband and I had to decide whether or not we wanted our 25-year-old son put in the ICU unit and placed on a respirator. He was hospitalized due to Hodgkin's lymphoma which had responded to no treatment. We knew that it was only a matter of time before he would die. We continued to pray every day for a miracle but instead watched our son slowly be taken away from us. We knew our son all too well to know that he would not want to live by means of a respirator. He would not be able to talk to us. He would not be living. He would only be existing and he would not have wanted this. Once placed on a respirator, we would probably have to make a decision at some point to remove him from this, and that is something I could never have been able to do. We look back with no regrets. Our son lived life to its fullest for as long as he was able to. Our son was not afraid to die. His fear was losing his dignity and we were going to make sure that that never happened. He died very peacefully with us by his side, and, as much as we miss him, we know we did what he would have asked us to do. If there is any doubt as to "living your life" and "existing", go see "Million Dollar Baby". There are no doubts when you leave the theater. As a parent, I can certainly sympathize with Ms. Schiavo's parents and family, but after watching my son suffer for five years and die, I have to applaud her husband in doing what he knows she would want. It takes a strong person to be able to let go of someone you love."
—Karen and Mike, Memphis, Tenn.

Still on a feeding tube
Due to a serious illiness/ muscle decease my sister is on a feeding tube, she is extremely ill, she is not brain dead but not aware but I feel can hear me at times and I feel we do receive a response sometimes through eye contact. She is breathing on her own and so Terri so therefore why are they taking the tube out.
—Shelley L Devane, Braintree, Ma.

CONTINUED

< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >

Discuss Story On Newsvine
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh
Email
Instant Message
Print