Blood for Sextuplets

P.C. · Jan 31 07 06:59

I'm wondering how many of you could imagine being a doctor, and having to face the dilemma of not being able to help a life because of religious beliefs. Especially when the lives you're trying to save are reliant on someone elses decision. What would your decision be if you were the doctor? I'm prety certain I could not stand idly by and let a life slip away when there is some certainty I could save it.

I'm thinking all this seems rather odd. If the couple that gave birth to these little miracles had to receive artificial aide in order to conceive these babies.....how is it then not OK to receive artificail aide to ensure they live.

Lise · Jan 31 07 09:26

Pretty tough issues there, PC. If I was a doctor, I would do everything within my power to save the sextuplets. Even if it means stepping over the parents' belief. If it is within my means to save lives, I would do it in a heartbeat. Or fight to have it done. I couldn't just sit and not do anything especially when it comes to the lives of innocent babies.

Sportsdude · Jan 31 07 09:29

I'd have called them out as hypocrites for using meds to get pregnant in the first place and say not to have a blood transfusion?! oh the nerve. Then again I'm not a doctor.

P.C. · Jan 31 07 09:32

Me too Lise. I'm probably not the best person to make these kinds of calls.....but I think any religious beliefs should take a back seat to life. Although I am not a religious person.....I still view it as if I WERE.....I would see it as a 'god slap' to over ride the godly decision of life or death.

P.C. · Jan 31 07 09:32

I don't think it's about 'meds'. I think it is specifically about blood.

Sportsdude · Jan 31 07 09:35

Yup thats how bob marley died. They found a tumor on his big toe and doctors said they'd remove the toe and the cancer would be gone but he said it was against his religion to remove a part of the body so the cancer spread and he died from a contusion on the big toe from a cut, that grew and got infected, developed a tumor and killed him. Religion should not get in the way of health.

Sportsdude · Jan 31 07 09:38

Either way its still silly. When I played football we would play this Christian Scientist school who do not believe in modern medicine at all. So when are star linebacker tackled and broke their running backs arm I watched in horror what they did to the poor kid. They just yanked his arm in place and put him in a sling for a couple minutes and then sent him back out on the field. His arm was completely motionless the rest of the game. Felt really sorry for the guy.

Raver · Feb 01 07 09:05

P.C. wrote:
...but I think any religious beliefs should take a back seat to life

Not to single you out P.C., but I just wanted to make a point and this is a handy quote.

JW's believe that when you die, there is nothing. Then when judgement day arrives, the faithful are resurrected to live forever in Paradise (like the Garden of Eden). The unfaithful are resurrected, judged and then destroyed.

Taking in blood is a mortal sin to them and by allowing their children to live a few more years now, they may be sacrificing eternity, (assuming that their beliefs could be correct).

To go one step further, remember Terry Schivo? It was the religious nutballs keeping her alive. By all accounts, she was not even a religious person, when she was able to conciously be one.

Personally, I'm not sure what I would have done if I was the doctor in either case.

P.C. · Feb 01 07 09:15

I appreciate the insight, Raver. I'm a little short on knowlege when it comes to religious matters.
I'm sure their decisions make sense to them.

I know for certain, that if I were the doctor, I would have to be restrained before I could stand there and watch a baby die if it didn't have to.

Sportsdude · Feb 01 07 09:18

well the point of a doctor is to save people right? So I'd have disregarded the religious jargon no matter what they say. If its for the good of the baby/person so be it.

Lise · Feb 01 07 09:24

You made a good point there, Raver but I still feel the parents are wrong in their belief not to accept blood in order to save lives. I still don't see the point of denying this chance to your own children. It's as good as 'killing' them when you say no to any treatment.

Still...... I'm wasn't there when they made their decision so I don't know. Perhaps one shouldn't pass judgement when you're not there to hear their story. It's just so hard because I'm a parent and I would do anything, literally ANYTHING, if it means extending my child's life.

P.C. · Feb 01 07 09:30

I think that's somewhat my view too Lise. It IS the same as 'killing'. And there isn't a religion around that could convince me that it's more godly to do this, and send them to an early grave so they can party down for all of eternity than it is to revere the life you were given in the first place.

Lise · Feb 01 07 09:37

You're right, PC. I doubt God would have wanted you to end your child's life simply because it's a faster or 'right' way to get into Heaven. We should appreciate what is given to us now, what God has given us and not what other people claim stop you from doing so.

I feel sorry for the parents though. They have to live with this decision for the rest of their lives. The sad part is they probably think they did the right thing in the eyes of their Church and God. A real pity.

P.C. · Feb 01 07 09:45

I feel sorry for any poor soul that hasn't figured out that the Golden Rule covers all goodness and doesn't need a faith to make it the most valuable lesson of all.

You've never heard of wars and killings in the name of the Golden Rule.....well have you?

Lise · Feb 01 07 09:48

P.C. wrote:
You've never heard of wars and killings in the name of the Golden Rule.....well have you?[/DIV]
Are you asking me? I admit, I don't know what the Golden Rule is.