If I left this earth with regret would it be a less satisfying life? If I never say the sorrys I need to say or get in that one hug just to know I have been forgiven, am I less of a man? If I lived a life where I left behind some anger, loss of respect or just tears would my family choose differently at the end of my life? In my experience recently with families and the end of life with some anger and animosity, it seems as though the decisions regarding hospice or end of life choices become more clouded. Are personal feelings ethical? What are ethics when the heart hearts? When mom or dad weren't there in the happiest of times, or mom and dad ruined my childhood. Now mom and dad need you to make a choice that will impact their lives, your siblings lives and everyone in the family. Where is the ethics in these upcoming decisions?
In the case where the patient doesn't have a DNR or a living will which will state the dying parties wishes, what is the ethical thing to do? In one case I saw a family member refuse to pull a plug on a father because it was only the first of the month and the welfare check doesn't come until the 3rd. Or another case where the family member was the next of kin and didn't want to be the one to say pull the plug because in her mind she is committing murder. She compared it to abortion, where that is a life and with my hand I am taking it. In the latter case the person had clearly stated in a right sound mind that they did not wish to live in a vegetative state. When the time came, the family member could not make the decision to end life support. Feelings drive us, but what is right, what is wrong? In some cases the person can go on to live and if the decision to end the life is made, the person making that decision has to live a life of not knowing what could of been. Is that a life with blood on your hands or was that the right thing to do? Are there two sides to this coin? Does guilt forgive or can guilt be lessened because its ethical?
