Comments for Any Shiny Thing

Comment on Why Can’t We Die Like Dudley? by Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:27:39 +0000

I couldn’t believe it either, Lynne. The last time he was hospitalized, I made sure the nurses had everything in order on the DNR form and saw it myself on the wall. However, after a week or so of being in critical condition with his primary doc saying he could die any moment, my friend told me that in the middle of the night his breathing slowed and he became unresponsive, and the next thing he remembers is that “some big guy” was on top of him doing CPR. This man has severe osteoporosis, end stage emphysema, chronic bouts of MRSA, pneumonia with kidney infection several times a year, chronic ulcer disease, etc, and has been this way as long as I have known him. I speculate that hospital personnel are maybe more worried about repercussions legally or losing their jobs if they don’t resuscitate than they do about the wishes of a perpetually dying man. He has requested not to return to this hospital for obvious reasons.

Comment on Why Can’t We Die Like Dudley? by Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:06:23 +0000

With your background, your voice has authority. Thanks for weighing in, MM.
PS I loved being able to hang out with you in person last weekend. Cyberspace is nice but being in the same room together, even better!

Comment on Why Can’t We Die Like Dudley? by Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:04:20 +0000

Yes, Linda, great courage at a time when we’re at our weakest. Truly a conundrum.

Comment on Why Can’t We Die Like Dudley? by Lynne Spreen

Lynne Spreen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:00:33 +0000

Amanda, how can this be? If he has an advance directive saying clearly that he does not want to be revived, who is overriding his orders? Isn’t there something he can do to threaten these people? Or something? I’m so sad to hear of this.

Comment on Why Can’t We Die Like Dudley? by Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:03:51 +0000

Lynne, I’m so glad you wrote about this. You have expressed what I have come to believe for years and years. I have a friend with multiple chronic medical illnesses whom I have watched being brought back to life time and time again over the years. Each time, he says, “No, I don’t want to live, please just let me die,” and each time, they bring him back, despite the Do Not Resuscitate form tacked on the wall by his bed. He is now living precariously from day to day feeling miserably ill, is estranged from his family, and is living on Social Security with help from the government. He feels that no one wants to help him, yet no one wants to let him die. His life is suspended in a sad state of limbo. He often dreams of running in the fields with his dog Maggie, something he has not been able to do for three decades. His life is a testimony to the fact that much needs to change in the right-to-die arena. Your article gives voice to this. Thank you, Amanda