The ER shipped a patient up tonight, GI bleeder....vomiting copious blood. The patient appeared ill, like he'd been ill for years. All he wanted was some pain medicine and to have us let him die. That's what he said in the ER. His family said, "Yes, this is what he wishes. He's told us so."
We didn't have a formal DNR. And I have no clue why the ED shipped him up to the ICU, instead of following his wishes right then and there.
Dr. One Of The Good Guys, one of our intensivists, was here. The ICU team gathered at the bedside and Dr. OOTGG shakes his head.
"Give him some morphine."
It was quiet and simple and we did what the man wanted, and the line went flat.
And that was that.
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2 comments:
amen sister.
we both know how ugly this could have gotten...and so often does.
Thank goodness for Doc OOTGG! A doc who can give a guy what he wants.
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