Euthanasia or Acceptance of God's Will?

[fugadux]

Hello!

I’m a nurse, currently looking for employment and I have had this nagging feeling about some of the things which are part of my profession. I have recently decided to re-educate myself by studying mathematics, but I will need to work part-time to pay my way through college. Anyway, the question is whether it is euthanasia not to resuscitate a patient when their hearts stop or something similar if that is a decision which has been agreed upon beforehand or if it can be construed as an acceptance of natural death?

In Christ, through Mary,
David

 

[Trishie]

Dear David, I hope the following, from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, will help clarify for you:

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable. Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.

 

[fugadux]

I have a problem discerning whether this case is included in the citation “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate”. I have read the Vatican’s instruction for health-care professionals and I’ve read the Catechism but I can’t seem to get my head around it. Either I’m stupid or I’m suffering from the “doubting disease”.

 

[JRKH]

Hello!

I’m a nurse, currently looking for employment and I have had this nagging feeling about some of the things which are part of my profession. I have recently decided to re-educate myself by studying mathematics, but I will need to work part-time to pay my way through college. Anyway, the question is whether it is euthanasia not to resuscitate a patient when their hearts stop or something similar if that is a decision which has been agreed upon beforehand or if it can be construed as an acceptance of natural death?

In Christ, through Mary,
David

I would say that it is not euthinasia in the circumstance you outline. It is merely following the will of the patient and the patient’s family.

My Father died of Alzheimer’s disease four years ago this month. He reached a point where he could no longer swallow and rather than prolong the situation, it was decided to let him go. This was done with his prior consent, the full knowledge and consent of the family priest and all the family members.
It was the acceptance of the inevitable ending as God willed it.
On this board I have had people argue against such a decision.

I now, or soon will, face a similar situation with my dear wife, who also has alzheimer’s. I know my wifes’ wishes in the matter and I pray for God’s guidance.

The determination you desire is a highly subjective one. The thing that the church tries to do is not provide a “decision tree” for every situation and every family and every individual, but to provide guidelines that will help the individuals involved to make “well formed” decisions in any particular situation.
Prayer, compassion, Love, Respect, medical knowledge, - All of these things can inform a particular course, but each diecsion must be made on a case by case basis.

Sorry I couldn’t be more definative.

Peace
James

 

[centurionguard]

Hello!

I’m a nurse, currently looking for employment and I have had this nagging feeling about some of the things which are part of my profession. I have recently decided to re-educate myself by studying mathematics, but I will need to work part-time to pay my way through college. Anyway, the question is whether it is euthanasia not to resuscitate a patient when their hearts stop or something similar if that is a decision which has been agreed upon beforehand or if it can be construed as an acceptance of natural death?

In Christ, through Mary,
David

I assume that your speaking about DNR Do Not Resuscitate Orders.
The Catholic Church does not see DNR Orders as a means to suicide. A terminally ill person is not expected by the Church to comply with extraordinary medical treatments that will only prolong suffering.

I must add that as far as the Catholic Church is concerned ONLY a Terminally ill patient can apply for a DNR order

 

[irishcolleen45]

I find myself wondering what to do with the following situation:
My brother who is 67 years old is bi-polar and schizophrenic. He also has dementia. About six weeks ago he could no longer swallow and was refusing to eat due to the difficulty in swallowing. He was diagnosed with a swallowing issue and was admitted to a VA hospital where a feeding tube was placed in his abdomen. He was eventually sent to a nursing home.
He has continued to decline and is currently in the hospital. He went into respiratory distress and transferred to the ICU. He has a guardian and the doctor want to issue a DNR for him. He is so frail that the doctor feels if he goes into cardiac or respiratory arrest more damage would be done to him that he would not survive.
I told the guardian today that I want her to talk with the Catholic chaplain to have him to determine if a DNR can be issued. Neither myself nor my sister live near my brother so we are dependent on the guardian for info and we have no legal say in the matter.

In Mar 2009, my husband and I had a four day visit with my brother. We took him around the Tampa area and he enjoyed his time at the Yankees’ spring training game along with other activities. Shortly after that time he began to decline mentally and never came back to that point in mental acuity. All of us including the guardian can’t believe how quckly my brother has declined both mentally and physically in 18 months.

Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Reservoir_Dog]

I find myself wondering what to do with the following situation:
My brother who is 67 years old is bi-polar and schizophrenic. He also has dementia. About six weeks ago he could no longer swallow and was refusing to eat due to the difficulty in swallowing. He was diagnosed with a swallowing issue and was admitted to a VA hospital where a feeding tube was placed in his abdomen. He was eventually sent to a nursing home. …:

My mother (some 20 years older than your brother) was suffering from dementia and a host of other problems. She spent her last six months at home, under the care of my father, sister and niece (a physician). At my niece’s suggestion, medication was reduced and that resolved some problems and prolonged her life by several months and increased the quality of life as well. So you might want his medications looked at by another doctor.

When she was unable to swallow, a decision was made to not use a feeding tube. She passed away at home, and in the presence of the entire family (save for me).

As I understand it, with dementia, the patient can be in an out of lucidity, but the windows of opportunity are closing, so make sure you say to him whatever you must say.

It will be hard, but God won’t impose on you any burden you cannot bear with His help.

 

[irishcolleen45]

My mother (some 20 years older than your brother) was suffering from dementia and a host of other problems. She spent her last six months at home, under the care of my father, sister and niece (a physician). At my niece’s suggestion, medication was reduced and that resolved some problems and prolonged her life by several months and increased the quality of life as well. So you might want his medications looked at by another doctor.

When she was unable to swallow, a decision was made to not use a feeding tube. She passed away at home, and in the presence of the entire family (save for me).

As I understand it, with dementia, the patient can be in an out of lucidity, but the windows of opportunity are closing, so make sure you say to him whatever you must say.

It will be hard, but God won’t impose on you any burden you cannot bear with His help.

If the DNR is issued, he will still continue to be fed via the feeding tube. As far as I know, his heart and kidneys are still functioning OK.
I pray many times a day that God will take him soon if it’s God’s will. It’s just so sad. I know that God is helping me with this.

Thank you for your thoughts.