How much medical intervention?

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Jesus4Me

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I just composed a lengthy e-mail asking my question, giving examples, and going into more details - then I proceeded to lose the whole thing. :crying: I’m not quite in the mood to retype everything so hopefully this question makes sense.

Does anyone know what the church’s position is on how much medical intervention should be used to keep someone alive? Specifically life support. For example, 100 years ago we wouldn’t have the medical advances we have today to keep someone alive if something happened to them.

BTW - I understand (and BELIEVE) that human life is precious and only God can take it. I’m just wondering about how we should use medical advances to keep someone alive.

PS: My first e-mail was WAY better and made more sense. Sorry! I’m a beginner. :o
 
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Trelow:
Totally situational.
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How does one prepare an Advanced Medical Directive then?
 
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Jesus4Me:
How does one prepare an Advanced Medical Directive then?
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Follow the teachings of the Church.
  1. Suicide or euthanasia is never acceptable – a person who CAN live without “heroic” measures MUST live.
  2. Ordinary care must be provided and accepted – for example, food and water must be provided as long as it can be metabolized.
  3. It is permissible to discontinue “heroic” measures – artificial breathing or heart action if the patient cannot be expected to resume those actions on their own at some future date.
  4. In dying patients it is permissible to administer pain killers even in doses that hasten death if the intent is to alleviate pain, and not to kill.
The relevant paragraphs of the Catechism are 2276 thorugh 2279.
 
vern humphrey:
Follow the teachings of the Church.
  1. Suicide or euthanasia is never acceptable – a person who CAN live without “heroic” measures MUST live.
  2. Ordinary care must be provided and accepted – for example, food and water must be provided as long as it can be metabolized.
  3. It is permissible to discontinue “heroic” measures – artificial breathing or heart action if the patient cannot be expected to resume those actions on their own at some future date.
  4. In dying patients it is permissible to administer pain killers even in doses that hasten death if the intent is to alleviate pain, and not to kill.
The relevant paragraphs of the Catechism are 2276 thorugh 2279.
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I agree, but what about someone with ALS who has been on a vent for several years or someone who is receiving kidney dialysis over a long period of time? Mind you, they are not dying, but functioning to a point that their condition allows. Is it permissible to stop? With all that went on with Terri:crying: this has been a question that I have been pondering. If I am ever asked, I want to be able to give the right answer.
 
We had a Catholic ethicist speak to this issue. He said one basic question is are you prolonging life or prolonging suffering? What is the ‘cost’ of the treatment versus the expected outcome? For example antibiotics are not expensive so a person who had a terminal disease could be treated with antibiotics because the side effects are minimal, they are effective and they do not increase the patient’s suffering. OTOH say a patient has metastisized cancer in multiple organs. Giving chemotherapy would not be indicated because it’s not effective, it’s got serious consequences and increases suffering, and it will in this case not prolong the patient’s life.

These questions have helped me to look at a number of situations. A very good book is Life and Death Dilemmas by Joni Eearickson Tada. She provides numerous scenarios and has discussion questions following each chapter. It really helps you formulate a consisent and compassionate approach to end of life issues
Lisa N
 
Momofone:
I agree, but what about someone with ALS who has been on a vent for several years or someone who is receiving kidney dialysis over a long period of time? Mind you, they are not dying, but functioning to a point that their condition allows. Is it permissible to stop? With all that went on with Terri:crying: this has been a question that I have been pondering. If I am ever asked, I want to be able to give the right answer.
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A person in such a condition cannot morally refuse treatment, nor can some other person deliberately kill them – even by withholding treatment.
 
Lisa N:
These questions have helped me to look at a number of situations. A very good book is Life and Death Dilemmas by Joni Eearickson Tada. She provides numerous scenarios and has discussion questions following each chapter. It really helps you formulate a consisent and compassionate approach to end of life issues
Lisa N
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Thank you for the reference! Ever since the Terri Schiavo ‘killing’ - which is what it was IMO - I’ve been concerned about something happening to me and me not being able to defend myself. In creating an Advanced Medical Directive I need to be clear and need to make sure I’m as informed as possible.
 
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