End of Life Decisions

End of Life Decisions

Abstract

When suffering from a terminal disease making the end of life decision has proven to be a real challenge to many patients and families. It is a real challenge because of the terminal illness brings hardships and sufferings. The introduction of palliative care and hospice is making life better for those suffering from terminal diseases. The hospice offers best and quality palliative care to the patient and also considering his Faith, interest and choices. Many religions are against euthanasia, especially Christianity. This essay will talk about the end of life decision of George. George has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). George is a Christian, and he is thinking of euthanasia as he is afraid of the suffering the disease brings. The essay will talk about the Christian narrative and worldview of George sufferings and the possible choices he can make.

Keywords:  palliative care, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, euthanasia, hospice.

End of Life Decisions

Religions and cultures have a significant influence on personal life decision making. When seeking medical care services, cultural and religious teaching will guide individual decision making. A while back people would confirm to doctors’ diagnoses and interventions, but now people are accepting the treatments that match their religious teachings. People are rejecting doctor’s diagnosis and treatment with the basis of their religion. In Christianity, Christians believe that God created everything in this world. In this belief, the Christians view illness is from God because maybe the person sinned or he is staying away from God. In the bible, when Adam and Eve sinned, God gave them suffering. Where women will be having labour pains while men will toil and sweat to put meals on the table. About George’s case, it means that the illness is a result of his sins or that of the world. The bible states the coming of Jesus Christ where he suffered for the sins of the world. In this case, the same can apply to George. Another reason for George suffering can be maybe he is staying away from God. Thus God sent illness to him so that he can come back to God. The pain of George is because of the sins of the world because he is a morally upright person. Christians still view that George suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned him. The only way George to end this suffering is through repentance and create peace with God. However, Christians also believe that the pains may not stop and thus, believers should embrace till the end of life. Therefore, sin is what causes fallenness to Christians and result in suffering.

Christians believe in life after death. They believe in going to heaven or hell after death. The concept of resurrection is that Jesus came to the world died for our sins and then resurrected. The resurrection meant that every Christians would go to heaven only if they repent and leave a beautiful life. After death, those that wholly followed Christian teaching and repented their soul will go to heaven and continues to live. The body will remain on earth. George, who is suffering from ALS degenerative condition means that his physical body is the only one suffering, and thus it is not eternal. After death, the soul of George will remain intact, and it will go to heaven. The Christians believe that after every suffering, there is happiness, and that is life in heaven. George should embrace this suffering here on earth and be aware that he will go to heaven and enjoy a happy life. George should view the pain as a preparation for the better life ahead. George should not complain about the hardship. He should see the suffering as God’s work to strengthen his Faith to go to heaven.  Having Faith explains that George suffering on earth is just for a limited time, but his enjoyment in heaven would be eternal.

The ALS condition will make George lose his mobility ability, speech and breathing. However, George will still have a sense of hearing sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste and smell. So, when the conditions reach critical levels, George will need to a wheelchair for mobility and ventilators machine to assist breathing. The loss of mobility and other abilities will make George to depend on others but not be independent. George is contemplating to do euthanasia because he does not want to live a life where he has no power and dignity. The Christian worldview value life. Christians believe every human being who is still alive has dignity, and his life should be valued. Despite George being ill, he is still a precious member of society (Shelly, & Miller, 2009). Therefore, George needs to evaluate his life because of his life because he can still be productive and valuable before his death. George should be thankful about having a supportive family and will get palliative care and value life.

George has reached a dilemma in his medical life where he is contemplating euthanasia. He does not depend on others to perform basic chores and also feel the suffering of the disease. Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia is a hot debate where many people support and oppose in equal measure (Wells Frey & Cataldo, 2013). People have many reasons to justify euthanasia. They are using the argument that because it is reasonable to end the life of a suffering animal, it is also wise to do so to humans (Ravitsky et l, 2009). They believe euthanasia will relieve the patient pain and suffering and make them rest peacefully. The Christians are against euthanasia. They think it is against one of the ten commandments that one shalt not kill (Hogan et al., 2013). So. Euthanasia is self-murder and thus sinning.

Furthermore, the bible states that God gives life, and thus it is God takes life. It is very wrong to do euthanasia. Also, euthanasia is a show that one is rejecting life a precious gift from God. In this euthanasia is going against the God commandments. Not harming other human is an essential principle that the Christians apply in everyday life. Christians are against the intentional killing of fellow humans. The massacre will block the patients and the physicians who administered the euthanasia from going to heaven.

Christianity sees euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide as a sin. For George case in a Christian view, they will not encourage euthanasia. Hospice and palliative care that the hospital is proposing is what the Christians will advise George to take. George doing euthanasia will mean he has sinned self-murder. He will go straight to hell and not heaven. Euthanasia will be escaping temporary pains here on earth going for eternal suffering in hell. However, if he remains alive and dies natural, he will go to heaven and enjoy an eternal happy life. Christianity supports the patients to continue taking medications and receive medical care even when suffering from a terminal illness. As a Christian, George should do euthanasia as it will show that he has given up. Christianity teaching advocates that George should continue taking up his medications to show that he still has hope and believes in God. George should allow dying a natural death as intended as God.

It is unethical and unacceptable to do euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide even for terminal illness. It is God who gives life, and it is God’s responsibility again to take a breath. Euthanasia remains a controversial concept where many debates regardless of their race, age, gender or religion. In this case, George is suffering from ASL condition, which will make George retain all his senses but lose his mobility, speech and have breathing problems. These sufferings will make George meaningless and not enjoyable at all. From the authors perspective, it inappropriate to do euthanasia. As a Christian, this shows it will be committing sins. Also, George will live a horrible life after death in hell. The author adds that doing euthanasia will traumatize the family of George as they are staunch Christians. The family is ready to take care of ailing George and not welcome the idea of euthanasia. Furthermore, with technological evolutions and new inventions in the medical industry, the author feels George may have a second chance. The discovery and technology may come up with new cure or devices that will make continue to enjoy life before dying.

In summary, the ALS condition diagnosis is making George face a tough time in his life. The progression of the disease will make him live relative meaningless and unenjoyable. One is freely able to do euthanasia in these circumstances, but George faces an unethical dilemma. George wants to do euthanasia, but his Christian background opposes the euthanasia. In this case, people opt for euthanasia to relieve themselves from pain and suffering. Additionally, patients do physician-assisted suicide to save on costs and ease the family from the tiresome of taking care of them. The idea of euthanasia is still a controversial debate as other nations have legalized it and in other countries it is illegal.

References

Hogan, Jr, W. J., & Velez, J. R. (2013). Invoking Shared Beliefs in End-of-Life Decision Making. AMA Journal of Ethics, 15(3), 193-197. Retrieved from https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/invoking-shared-beliefs-end-life-decision-making/2013-03

President’s Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1984). Defining death: Medical, legal and ethical issues in the determination of death. Report of the President’s Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research.

Ravitsky, V., Fiester, A., & Caplan, A. L. (Eds.). (2009). The Penn Center Guide to bioethics. Springer Publishing Company.

Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2009). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing. InterVarsity Press.

Wells, K. R., Frey, R. J., & Cataldo, L. J. (2013). Euthanasia. In Gale (Ed.), The Gale encyclopedia of nursing and allied health (3rd ed.). Farmington, MI: Gale. Retrieved from https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/galegnaah/euthanasia/0?institutionId=5865Meilaender, G. (2013). Bioethics: A Primer for Christians. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.