R. D., I was being coldly practical in making that statement. Still, I think it should be taken into consideration--not in the context of the "value of life," but rather in the context of what the chances are for quality of life and whether limited medical resources can be put to a higher and better use.
So many want "everything to be done" for their beloved, as long as someone else is footing the bills for "everything." That said, I am not suggesting that this is applicable in this case; I am not privy to those particulars.
On a lighter, more uplifting side, thirty-plus years ago, I was employed by a hospital which was one of the first in the country to implement a neonatal intensive-care unit. One of our first patients weighed a mere one pound--unheard of in terms of any meaningful survival at the time. Well, ten years later, we threw a ten-year birthday party for the unit. That child was present and was healthy in every respect. A delight to her parents and to all of us--on so very many levels.
So, In the words of one of my favorite ER physicians, "But who in hell can ever really know." - Holly |
