I believe that if you are a parent your strongest instict is that to protect your child. What parent would not trade their own life for the life of their child?
That is why I just can't seem to figure out how a parent stops fighting for their child's life. If there is the slightest hope that your can save your child's life, how can you not at least try?
What about prolonging your child's life? Here is where the waters get muddy. Your child is terminally ill. To what lengths do you go to prolong your child's life? After all, does not each day bring a new day where a new teatment may be discovered? Isn't each day precious?
Several months ago I watched the documentary, "A Lion in the House". It followed families of children with childhood cancer. On more than one occasion in this documentary, the lengths to which parents went to prolong their child's life were questioned. They were questioned by doctors, nurses and even other family members. They were criticized for causing more pain and difficulty for thier children in their final days. One father took his daughter in to get chemotherapy on her final day against her mother's wishes. Another father fought the doctors who wanted him to sign a DNR on his son.
These other people clearly wanted to save the child from pain and suffering. These parents wanted to save thier child's life. I don't blame them. How can a parent let go? It is a lose/lose situation. There is no feeling good about any of it. When the child dies the parent wonders if they should have done more or they wonder if they should not have put the child through so much.
I don't know how I am going make the decisions I am soon to be faced with. We have already gone down a road we swore we wouldn't. In a last big effort to save Nathan's life we have ended up with a 6 week hospitalization and three months away from home. The doctors had no idea that this would happen and if we had known it would we would not have chosen to try this treatment.
Parents just shouldn't have to make such choices in life. It sucks the soul out of you.
8 comments:
Susan,
I don't know what to say, but I wanted you to know that I'm listening and thinking of you.
Lots of love to all of you.
Beth
There is no perfect answer, but there is a right course of action. You, as his mother, will choose what is right for him. No one can choose a better road for Nathan than you and Luke, and what you choose to do will be the right decision. Only you are where you are right now, only you know Nathan so well, only you know what you know and feel what you feel and the rest of us can only tell you you are doing what is right.
And you are.
Sending my love...
I echo the other comments. Thinking of you, and no one can second-guess you.
Just wanted you to know that I hold all of you very closely in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God envelopes you in HIS grace, love and comfort and that HE guides you through each day.
God Bless you, Susan, and Luke, Nathan, Julia, and Lauren!
love -- Katie
Prayers Prayers Prayers is all I can offer you. Know that we are hear to listen and support you in anyway possible.
We think of you every day.
Every. Day.
I hope your family is reunited sooner than you even hope!
It sucks the soul out of you.
Yes it does. I know.
Parents are the only people who can make these decisions for children too young to make their own. You will do what is right, whichever choice you make.
In the meantime, I offer my prayer for strength and grace.
Ann (from BB)
Post a Comment