Blood transfusions - what would your Next of Kin do?

by talesin 6 Replies latest members private

• 

  talesin

  I thought of this question when reading buffalosrfree thread about funerals.

  If you are DA, DF or faded, would you have a blood transfusion?

  If so, is your Next of Kin (NOK) a JW? What if you were unconscious and needed a transfusion? It is an issue you may not have thought about; I know I didn't until I was in the situation a few years ago.

  Would your NOK give permission or murder you by refusing blood? Have you considered this possibility?

  Also, have you really thought about what you would do if faced with this decision? It may seem a no-brainer, but this is a 'law' that was deeply hammered into our psyches. Eating a package of weiners is a lot different from signing a legal form when you are bleeding to death. Most of us do not like to think about nasty stuff like this, but what if you were in a car accident TODAY? Have you taken care of this from a legal standpoint?

  talesin
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  Dansk

  Hi Talesin,

  Good questions!

  To be fair, I'd rather NOT have blood - but not from any religious perspective. In the UK there's a scare about blood being contaminated by madcow disease. Then there's AIDS. Then there's all the other possible contaminants - and others we don't even know about yet.

  HOWEVER!!!!!! If the hospital point blank refused to operate on me or my family without using blood we'd let them go ahead.

  We haven't made any legal directives so, if we were injured and unconscious, we'd probably come round to find blood dripping into us. That's a risk we're prepared to take.

  Ian
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  talesin

  tks dansk

  I just realized that there may be many on the forum who had not thought of this problem, and it could mean their lives are at risk. I will tell you, I was happy my partner was there to sign forms FOR me. I did not have a transfusion; however, I could literally feel the life draining out of me and did not have the strength to make any decisions at the time. And now that I am single, I have made provisions for NOK in the event that it happens again.

  And as you say, some may NOT want a transfusion, and this could be legally clarified as well.

  tal
• 

  Black Sheep

  Yes, I have thought about this problem. My NOK would let me die for sure, before they compromised and signed a consent.

  I haven't brought up the subject yet. I should.

  I am not bothered with tales of Mad Cow and AIDS, as I am an Apostate of both of those unproven holey theories.
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  blondie

  This is why anyone, JW or non-JW, should have a healthcare power of attorney or proxy. Check and see what forms are used in your state/area. You don't need a lawyer to fill them out; they may be online; check Google. You can detail what you want, transfusions, transplants, resusciation, etc. You select one person and an alternate to act as your representative if you should be unable to act for yourself.

  Blondie
• 

  galaxy7

  I have told my husband should I need blood I want it.I have a rare blood and carry a special blood card

  My husband carries the JW card refusing blood

  His previous wife died because she refused a transfusion I outright told him I didnt want to die like her.

  I know my husband would refuse one for me if he could get away with it.
• 

  Rabbit

  I just had back surgery 3 weeks ago, I told the Doc, I preferred any alternatives 1st, but, if my life was in danger it would be OK to transfuse. He gave me a strange little 'sly' smile, as I was telling him about my JW history..."and so-o, I have changed my mind..."

  I warned him, too that it was possible, but, not probable, that some JW relative may show up to make sure I go the JW way. He said, "No problem." He used a "Cell Saver" method of surgery -- there were no problems. Oh, my JW relatives were still very, very busy...still shunning me for marrying "outside their Truth.? No shows!

  This was really weird after 35 years of sticking it in the Doctor's faces and saying, "This is the way it better be!"

  And as my encyclopedic friend, Blondie suggested, I did sign an "Advanced Directive" and a "Durable Power-of-Attorney" and a "Living Will". All these the hospital readily provided. I made my new non-witness wife as primary and my non-jw father as second.

  It was a good feeling...

  AND my back is really improving fast...a few more weeks in therapy and a back brace and I'll be as good as 50 years old !