60 Minutes rerunning the pull the plug on granny segment.

[Cleita]

Basically, they are saying the terminal elderly shouldn't be getting treatment that may only extend their lives a few months because of the huge cost. They even brought up the example of an eighty year old woman whose heart problems would be so expensive and would only have short time effectiveness that the family decided to let her die instead. Now I wonder why no one has brought this up regarding Dick Cheney. I believe that old woman had a better heart beating in her than he does. We really do have a class system in this country and the same health plan that Dick Cheney has is Medicare just like that other woman, but for some reason or the other extending her life even for a few months isn't as important as extending his even if it's probably only short term as well.

I'm just disgusted is all. Since our law maker dudes want to shorten Medicare benefits on this, maybe we should just put a bullet in our living wills with the statement that it's to be used when paying for war is more important than paying for the medicine and care the elderly need at their end of life.

[Archae]

1. My Dad just died on Friday, of liver cancer.

And he flat out said, *NO* chemo, that would just make him live miserably for 6 months, at most.

There is a time when we have to say to the "Hook 'em up to 14 machines to keep 'em alive for a few months!" pushers, no more.

[babylonsister]

2. Archae, my sincere condolences.

:hug: I agree about the pushers, too, after seeing my mom getting 'good treatment' for years and die anyway.

My dad's honey now has inoperable lung cancer, and she's said the same thing. No prolonged measures; I think they've seen so many of their friends go through the motions only to die after months of misery, they realize it's not worth it.

Getting old is not for wimps. :hug:

[AnArmyVeteran]

26. My Mom always said "What golden years?".

She saw her physical abilities dwindling and she lived on a very modest budget. She said the 'golden years' was a myth that didn't exist.

[madmax]

3. Sorry for your loss, Archae

I think your Dad was a very smart man. :hug:

[Archae]

5. It's like he said himself, when he got the news the cancer was terminal.

"I've always completed my projects, and I've completed my living project."

He died smiling.

[w8liftinglady]

9. my dad did the same thing...pancreatic cancer

"keep me comfy in my last days...I've seen you grow...and my grandkids.I'm a happy man"...it was the humane thing...in his case.he did hospice and died a peaceful death.

[pipoman]

6. My mom declined chemo last monday

she has liver/pancreas cancer...I'm not ready to loose her, nor do I want her to have a few extra but painful months...we are saying goodbye..:brokenheart:

[OhioBlue]

10. Hugs to you pipoman.

I don't know what it is like to be in your shoes. I can't even imagine. You and your mom are in my thoughts. Good vibes & love sent to you and your family for strength in dealing with such a difficult and what must seem like an impossible goodbye..

[babylonsister]

11. Oh, pipoman,

moms are really tough to lose. So sorry to hear that, and I hope you get hospice involved if you need help and support; they are wonderful.

:hug:

[pipoman]

17. She was assigned a hospice on Friday

She worked for 15 years as her oncologist's receptionist, baby sitter, house sitter, and friend...he was visibly saddened by her condition but not her decision.

[babylonsister]

22. I'm happy to hear that; she's in good, loving hands. nt

[Archae]

15. Sorry to hear that.

[pipoman]

19. Likewise to you Archae...

I lost my dad in 2000 to a sudden heart attack...I don't know which is worse..

[madmax]

20. I don't think we're ever ready to say good bye.

:hug:

[OhioBlue]

I'm so sorry Archae. my condolences.

:hug:

[loudsue]

18. My Dad died of liver cancer 13 years ago today. He said the same thing as

your Dad...no to chemo. :hug: I'm so sorry you're going through this, Archae. It is a really hard thing to do, losing a parent. You have my deepest sympathy.

[madmax]

4. Any of us who have witnessed loved ones

at the end of life know that letting them go peacefully without tubes and stress may be the best.

In that segment they gave and charged an 80 something y.o. woman dying of liver and heart failure a pap smear. Really now, :wtf:

[47of74]

13. I remember when my grandma went

My grandma passed in 2003. After seeing her go from an independent woman who was in good health and still at home to very sick, totally unable to care for herself, and barely remembering her children or grandchildren all in a matter of months it was actually something of a relief when she finally did pass away. Yes we all still miss her but now she's with everyone who went before her again, and isn't suffering any more.

So that grass mowing SOB of a Senator we have here in Iowa making cracks about pulling the plug on grannie really pisses me off.

[Archae]

14. It's painfully obvious, the motivations here

The hospitals want to suck 'em dry of their insurance.

[mitchtv]

7. My sister entered a hospice today

Pancreatic cancer. Her husband couldn't care for her at home any longer . The Dr said she had days to go. I'll miss her

[babylonsister]

12. mitchtv,

my uncle died of pancreatic cancer; I'm glad your sister is with hospice; they are great. I'm sorry she is so ill. I just want to give you a virtual hug. :hug:

[OhioBlue]

16. I'm so sorry mitchtv

please accept a virtual hug from me too.
:hug:

[w8liftinglady]

21. my dad died in hospice with same things,,,a lovely,peaceful death

no regrets-lived...and died..with dignity.

[NNN0LHI]

8. My living will stipulates "financial cost" as one of the considerations for pulling the plug or not

Last thing I would want would be my wife to go bankrupt keeping me alive for an extra month or two in a hospital bed. Let me go.

Seriously.

Don

[Warpy]

23. I'm delighted Cheney is getting the best torture medical science

and our tax dollars can provide. You see, I've taken care of LVAD patients and I know what they go through, the complications they are prone to, the limitations on their lives. I also know he's bought into a lot of the right wing Christian stuff and that's making him absolutely terrified of death.

I can't think of a worse hell on earth or a stouter prison than being terrified to die and having death prolonged, seemingly forever.

I made my mother DNR when it was time and my dad made himself DNR after he told me he was tired and wanted to go. Letting them go was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but it was the right thing.

I would never have wanted to force them to wring the last bit of misery out of life after hope was gone.

Cheney? If he's created the perfect prison for himself, that's just peachy with me.

[Bitwit1234]

24. I have a better idea about pullling the plug

Wouldn't it be nicer if we could pull the plug on some asinine politicians instead.

[arikara]

25. Such terrible journalism... if you can call it that

its not about the money when it gets to that point, the person just doesn't want to suffer anymore. The Mr's 80 yr old aunt was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she has declined chemo. She doesn't want a couple extra months knowing how sick she'd be. She's already unable to get around because of arthritis poor soul.