Pulling the plug?

Question

Stenming from a comment on another thread: if your child or significant other was found to be brain dead after an accident or medical emergency and could only remain "alive" on life support, would you keep them on life support or pull the plug? What would influence your decision?

Answer

I would definitely pull the plug AFTER a second opinion and AFTER we all say our goodbyes. I would never leave someone in that condition. It just seems so cruel.

Answer

I could never let my husband live as a shell. I love him too much to do that to him when he has specifically said he does not want to ever be kept on life support. Even if his body was "alive," HE wouldn't be. What made him who he was- his brain, his sentience, his intellect- would be gone forever. He wouldn't want to be kept alive as a shell, and I couldn't keep him on life support for my own selfish reasons. I would say goodbye, honor his wish to donate his organs, and let him go. I know he would do the same for me. I never want to be kept "alive" as a shell. It's so macabre.

Answer

Get a living will so your wishes are known and must be followed.

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I hope my spouse would be kind enough to take me off life support. I don't want to live on a machine or be brain dead. It seems like a waste. I want him to move on and have a life.

He's asked me to do the same.

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I had to make this decision with my mother. She had a heart attack in the bathroom and by the time we found her she had been to long without oxygen to her brain. They brought her back but she was brain dead. To pull the plug was the hardest decision I ever had to make 2 days before my birthday. Do I regret my decision no. I know its what she would have wanted. She already had cancer too & was having a difficult time. I miss her still so much. 😢😢😢😢

Answer

Oh that's so hard, I wouldn't beable to do it.. Especially for my children.

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I always thought I'd pull the plug, but I saw a Louis theroux documentary which was about Americans spending lots of money to keep those family members alive, without pulling the plug, in the hopes they would eventually pull through. There were obviously people that had been in comas for years, but then some have moments of lucidity etc. Then was a 21 year old (I think) that had a drug overdose and was in a coma. The doctors had told the family that he was as good as dead and they should let him go and pull the plug. They refused, quite happily saying he'll be fine, and you know what? He was!! He pulled through and with some physical therapy (to help with walking)!!!!!!!

Answer

It's selfish to make them suffer for any longer than they needed. If they were not able to recover, I'm pulling it.

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I go based off of the person I love most in this world, my son... If something happened to my son and he was "brain dead" then I'd get a second opinion. If the opinion was still the same then I'd probably get another one because 3rd time is the charm. If after the 3rd opinion and it still being the same I'd have everyone come and say their goodbyes, even his bio dad who isn't in the picture and then I'd do what has to be done. He's suffering by having a machine live for him. I'd most definitely be devastated but it must be done. :(

Answer

Second opinion first and if the result is the same pull the plug once everyone says their goodbyes bc once they're brain dead they're basically already gone.