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noof_
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« on: November 19, 2009, 03:07:06 PM » |
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I have a family member who is a JW and in desperate need of blood. Of course that isn't going to happen. According to a family member, the doctor does not know enough about blood alternative treatments to administer them. This doesn't make sense to me. Is it possible to call on another doctor - a hematologist - to manage this portion of treatment? I am not in the same state as the patient, but am trying to lend support in any way I can. The family member who is with the patient is overwhelmed and calling me every ten minutes with conflicting and at times incomplete information.
Let's just say I am frustrated and exhausted. Please try to avoid slamming JWs. It's not my religion, but I will respect the patient's wishes.
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msparticularity
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« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2009, 09:58:46 PM » |
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I have found a couple of references on the Watchtower site that appear to be authoritative: http://www.watchtower.org/e/hb/article_03.htmhttp://www.watchtower.org/e/200608/article_03.htmThere is, as several other websites note, more flexibility on receiving hemoglobin. Best wishes to you and your family member! |
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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noof_
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« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2009, 10:32:06 PM » |
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Thank you for the links. The doctor seems unwilling to try JW-approved treatments - at least based on the information I am getting. We will provide more information tomorrow. Your links and sources I have received via PM will be included. |
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inthelab
Where beloved molecules abide
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 4,241
Who knew?
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« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2009, 11:52:26 AM » |
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My department does "bloodless" surgery and has done so for years. I suspect a Google search will find more academic medical centers that do this across the US.
PS: We're not in an area known for a lot of JW or 7th Day Adventists either; I think we did it to deal with blood shortages, panic over AIDS, etc.
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inthelab, I love you for that.
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noof_
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« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2009, 08:21:30 PM » |
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Thank you all for your responding to my desperate post. I finally got some answers today. Turns out family member in town with the patient is in denial. The best any doctor can do now is make the patient comfortable.
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msparticularity
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« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2009, 12:07:42 AM » |
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I'm sorry to hear that, Noof. I'm also sorry that you're having to deal with the family member in denial--that's tough.
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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mountainguy
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« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2009, 12:20:51 AM » |
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Sorry to hear about the situation, Noof. I hope the family member's final days are comfortable, if that's indeed what this is heading toward.
Several years ago, a family friend worked with a woman who was a JW. She posted a notice in her cubicle with very specific instructions on what was to be done in the event of an emergency, down to the level of which hospitals would be able to handle her needs and who to consult with about treatments. It struck me as being a very sensible thing to do.
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noof_
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« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2009, 08:18:29 PM » |
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Thank you, Mg and Mp.
MG, I think that is pretty standard for Witnesses. My family member is a patient in a hospital that does "blood less" procedures, and there was a JW representative - an emergency contact - present upon ambulance arrival to confirm the patient's wishes were being respected.
Family member in denial now has PoA. This is strange, but I think I mourn more for this person than the patient. MsP, you are right; it's tough trying to have a conversation about the patient with this person.
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kedves
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« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2009, 08:35:42 PM » |
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I am sorry about what's happening. It hurts like hell whether you see it coming or you don't. I's hard to know which is worse. But I hope for the best, whatever that can be.
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noof_
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« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2009, 08:40:29 PM » |
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I am sorry about what's happening. It hurts like hell whether you see it coming or you don't. I's hard to know which is worse. But I hope for the best, whatever that can be.
I decided last night that I'd meditate on the situation and say a little prayer. I joked that I think my higher power remembers me ... it's been a while. |
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msparticularity
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« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2009, 02:52:49 PM » |
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I am sorry about what's happening. It hurts like hell whether you see it coming or you don't. I's hard to know which is worse. But I hope for the best, whatever that can be.
I decided last night that I'd meditate on the situation and say a little prayer. I joked that I think my higher power remembers me ... it's been a while. Yeah, but that's the nice part of that whole grace thing. :) |
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"Once admit that the sole verifiable or fruitful object of knowledge is the particular set of changes that generate the object of study...and no intelligible question can be asked about what, by assumption, lies outside." John Dewey
"Be particular." Jill Conner Browne
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