The terminal stage of lung cancer is not only so difficult and excruciatingly painful to the patient but also very trying to the doctor. We insert a lot of tubes into his body; tube to the nose, tube to the neck. tube to the chest, tube to the stomach; IV sites into all extremities and a urinary catheter. A clip is inserted into his finger to monitor Oxygen blood level. EKG terminals are attached to his chest not mentioning the optional AV canulas if dialysis is being done.
If it is your first time to see this scenario, you will be offended why we are doing this to a human being. But yet, we are trying to preserve his life. For several years now, a lot of advocacy groups clamor for a dignity to die. But not all patients die immediately upon the removal of these tubes. Most of them suffer a lot and will die a horrible death if analgesics and sedatives are withdrawn. These drugs are given via these tubes.
We have come to the point of medical science where it is so difficult to place the decision on the doctors hands. Before this 21st century medical care, the doctor has only to raise his shoulder and give the rest to God. Today, we can prolong a patient's life; or at least his heart and other organs.
If it is your first time to see this scenario, you will be offended why we are doing this to a human being. But yet, we are trying to preserve his life. For several years now, a lot of advocacy groups clamor for a dignity to die. But not all patients die immediately upon the removal of these tubes. Most of them suffer a lot and will die a horrible death if analgesics and sedatives are withdrawn. These drugs are given via these tubes.
We have come to the point of medical science where it is so difficult to place the decision on the doctors hands. Before this 21st century medical care, the doctor has only to raise his shoulder and give the rest to God. Today, we can prolong a patient's life; or at least his heart and other organs.
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