Fashion

[151949]

OP, often in situations such as this, the doctors feel they must continue life support because they fear the person in the family who does not want it discontinued may sue them. Sad but true.However, when a person starts to go into organ failures such as lungs and heart failure, the ventilator may not be enough to keep them alive.Also, once people have a lot of interventions in place they will develop infections from all the various tubes and needle sites, and in their debilitated condition that causes them to die.So sorry you are having to go through all this. We just went through it for 3 months this summer with my BIL, and it is very difficult. As for your question about how long a person lives after they discontinue life support, sometimes they actually don't die , and get moved out of ICU. You never know what may happen in that situation. In 42 years as an ICU nurse I will tell you no two situations are ever the same.usually just a few min, though.

[IControlMyHappiness]

Happy...you are so right, the brother already told someone that "he" plans to SUE....so she might remain on life support for a long time.

Since my posting last because the brother has not telling anyone the updates....here we go....the drama continues....

[Bestdressed]

Sunshine... My prayers go out to you and dear MIL. If your brother in law is POA, as he claims...he must produce these papers at the hospital. I hope your MIL passes away peacefully without your BIL holding the reins. Good luck to your Dh...hope your BIL gets what he deserves.

[BOYINTX]

O dear...All i can say is i know in one case it took about almost 3 days after life s was removed. This is when the fighting stops. It eases the tension and reality takes place.

Do not try and stop them from fighting as it will only cause you stress upon stress.

Peace and God Bless you and yours

[JustJazzmom]

I haven't read the thread, but if there is no health care proxy or advanced directive on the patient's chart dictating who makes the medical decisions in case a person hospitalized cannot, then the hospital is obligated to do all they can for the person.

You all need to discuss this with the palliative care nurse or person who handles end of life decisions with families and come to a decision to determine what would your MIL have wanted at the end of her life? Sorry to say but once a person is on life support, the time is indefinite as to when a person passes on. It depends on how well her lungs, heart & kidneys are doing.

[colliegirls]

May I ask what happened that put her in the condition? How old is she? Is there a chance for improvement or is this considered to be ""the end""?

[Ibby114]

Does your MIL have a will? My Dad's will (he passed away Sept 24) had an advanced directive- talking about life support related issues. Often POA issues can be mentioned there as well.

[10000Nicknames]

Without a valid Living Will in place, the family will face a very difficult decision. Hopefully, after consulting with the doctors and discussing amongst themselves what their MOTHER would have wanted, they will make the right decision. It's so important to execute a Living Will at the time other estate documents are signed. Best wishes to you and your family.

[151949]

On 10/17/2014 sunshine3215 said:

Happy...you are so right, the brother already told someone that "he" plans to SUE....so she might remain on life support for a long time.

Since my posting last because the brother has not telling anyone the updates....here we go....the drama continues....

We used to have a joke where I worked that these patients and families are looking for some reason to sue from the moment they enter the admissions office. Do you know some keep a notebook and write down all the staff names and then a list under each name of what they perceive may be an infraction. Not a great atmosphere to have to work under , believe me.

[IControlMyHappiness]

Ladies thanks....here is the MIL history...and I'm going to be honest since no one in the "family" will read this...

long term heart problems, several heart attacks, not living in good environment, not eating well, heart functioning at low level, constant fluid in the lungs, kidney shutting down, son not giving medication correctly or feeding her on any type of schedule, has bed sores, must wear depends, dementia, some days knows you...some days...not...lungs not functioning...

Supposedly she is to be taken off life support today ....to see if she can breath on her own,