Tuesday, September 16, 2008

what would you do?

Norma always said bad things happen this time of year. Norma is the senior lady that I word for. Or did. Through a series of unfortunate events Norma had to be adnitted to the hosptal ( I highly recommend you stay away from this place ),
Norma was with out oxvgen through the night on
friday and when i arrived
saturday morning she was not feeling good. I replaced her oxygen which did not seem to help her. I went down stairs to get the apartment manager and her daughter in-law to come and talk with her. She new her name and what day it was and that her daughter was coming to see her that evening but then she began to become confused and not able to talk as well. The daughter in-law told Norma she would call for an ambulanc which Nnorma objected too. An ambulance was called. on the arrival of the emt Norma became unresponsive to them. They began cpr, back up was called and she was being brought in to the hospital a code blue, She was place on oxygen from a mask that force oxygen in and the built up carbon dioxide out (CO2). Norma was now dependent on a machine to make her breath. In icp Norma would wake up and be agitated because ot the mask covering her face and she needed her othe medicine for her mental illness. She couldn't have these meds because she could not swallow with the mask on. She was give morphine to calm her and to help with pain. It caused her to choke and she stopped breathing. The effects of the morphine was reversed and a different medicine was given. The doctor informed the family that this mask was a temporay fix not met for prolonged use and they would have to make a decision to talk her of the mask or let her live and suffer for a short period of time. Norma seemed to wake aat times and try to come ouot of the fog of it all put could seem to do it. However on Saturday morning in front of family and the doctor when i arrived and leaned over to speak to her she came full awake nearly sat up threw her arms rround my neck trying to say my name. she was glad to see me. The doctor backed down on taking the mask off of normas to let her die. For the next few days Norma continued to recognise family and try to communicate. She was not able to take off the mask there was no sign of improvement and the doctor returned to his original request to take her off the machine keeping her alive. she is awake. she can make requests she smiles and is happy she knows what you are sying and who you are. how can the doctor do this. take her life. The morphine was increased to control her combativeness she stopped breathing and that was that, she is gone. she was able to open her eyes and smile one finale silent goodbye. I took care of norma for 7 years i knew her better then her children who did not spend any time with her but now had a reponsibility to decide if she should live or die.
They would all have to go back to work and leave norma at the mercy of the hospital staff in a room down the hall from icu. and for how long? who would pay for this?
We can pay to keep charles manson alive and for what reason, we can spend billions trying to send people to Mars but can't figure out a way to provide oxygen to comfortably help someone live who was not ready to die. How many people have been in this predicament?

2 comments:

Katie Cramer said...

Dear Carol, I'm sorry for your loss. Norma was blessed to have such a kind, patient, and dedicated person in her life. You are a blessing in all of our lives. Love you.

Honor Louise said...

Carol, The bottom line is always money. I am sorry you lost your friend. She is in a better place, where money does not matter. A new chapter begins for you. I hope it is a good one. You are sensitive and caring. May many blessings be yours!