Scott's dad

It seems just when good news comes in, that bad news follows. Scott's dad had a good day the other day. His oxygen level was up, he was not agitated like he had been. Scott really thought it was a good sign. Then he went to the hospital the following day.

The doctor called them all in a room when he knew the whole family was there. His dad, it appears, may have suffered brain damage. They had weened him off of the morphine. He is sitting up with his eyes open, but is unresponsive to any commands. The nurse though he might have squeezed her hand but she was not sure. He does not shake his head or blink his eyes or anything else when asked.

The doctor also told them, that with his stage of chronic emphasima (sp) that even if he was responsive he would never be able to make it through heart surgery. Basically a heart attack waiting to happen.

He said that they needed to decide what to do. The choices were to refuse ressatation or to intubate him and transfer him to a rehabilitation hospital. If he did suffer brain damage, he may be able to get some functions back but would never be the same as he was before going into the hospital.

So my husband, his brothers and mother now have to make a decision no one should be forced to make. They are scouring FIL office in hopes that he may have a living will. Hopefully he does. I am not sure a person can make this kind of decision and not feel guilt either way. No son should be forced to watch his father suffer or end his suffering. Life is cruel.