update on southernpride

What a shame!

Medicine has become a for-profit business...

An industry originally driven by science, discovery and prevention, grown into a monster driven by greed and profits.

I've lost faith in government and policies. It seems like the only people benefiting today, are career welfare moms who get everything for free - schooling, food, housing, daycare, healthcare...

While Americans who've work their butts off for 40 years, never looking for hand outs, are left for dead.

America isn't experiencing a "healthcare crisis", we are experiencing a "society crisis" in which great numbers of low lifes are under the impression that the american healthcare system is designed to cater to their every need, free of charge.

God bless Southern Pride...it's just not right.

 

I'm so sorry it has come to this with southern pride. My prayers are with him, Mrs. SP and Dino.

 

continued prayers for SP and Mrs SP

 

I have debated with myself the wisdom of posting this. I certainly mean no disrespect to anyone, nor do I wish to hurt anyone's feelings here. This thought is just what I would want for MYSELF, and is in no way intended to mean that I think anyone else should feel this way.

I believe in the QUALITY of life, as well as the quantity. There really is a "time when it is time to pass on." Speaking just for myself, and considering my age and the good life that I have had. . .

I do NOT want to be kept alive by "artificial means," if it is determined that a full recovery will not happen. I have seen this, and do not want to experience it.

I watched my dad, after having suffered poisoning by Botulism from eating peppers he had home canned. He spent almost six months on full life support. He could not speak, he could not move many muscles, he could not breath for himself. He ate and went to the bathroom via tubes. And yet he was conscious and knew what was happening. He was able to respond intelligently to yes-no questions by squeezing, (slightly) his left hand.

He eventually died of heart failure, still hooked to machines. My mother was just unable to tell them to "pull the plug," prior to this.

I really don't want to see southern pride in this type of situation. Or anyone else for that matter.

 

Don
Nicely put and I think we all know our own decision in our head for what we would like or not. It is never an easy decision to say good bye though. No matter what we know in our head for what we think is right or wrong, we live by our hearts and the love that is in there.

 

Our first reaction to the situation was anger and outrage. Quite normal I suppose.

Big Don raises some valid points. Quality of life is VERY important. Both my parents had living wills, which explained measures to be taken or not taken in a given medical situation. I had to enact Dad's living will which was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. There would be no "quality" in his life.

It's a difficult time for the SP family and all his friends here and everywhere that care so much about this man. The best thing you can do is pray to your God for understanding and tender mercy if that's what is in store.

 

I agree with and understand the point of quality vs. quantity of life. I nearly had to make that decision regarding my mom a few years ago. Thankfully, she is doing quite well these days.

My concern in SP's case is that the doctors state he would have no quality of life with continued dialysis. I realize doctors are more knowledgeable than myself, however, many people live healthy, happy lives while on dialysis. IIRC, Dino said he was doing better when they had him on dialysis. If there was a noticeable improvement, why would you not continue it for a time and see if he continues to improve?

It's a very difficult decision to be made and it's certainly not a position I ever want to be put in again. I can sympathize with Mrs SP in this situation. You want to do everything possible to see your loved one continue by your side. My heart is breaking for her and the family.

For now, all we can do is continue praying for all of them.

 

Either way, this is not a decision the doctors or insurance company should be authorised to make. Something isn't right here. I suspect that if this was made public enough, the hospital would change its mind real quick about treating him. It just hasn't been long enough for anyone to know whether he's going to recover or not.

 

I randomly came across this post by SP and thought it was pretty bada**!