Contrast this with our friend to stopped by yesterday to talk about his wife's brain surgery next week. All he really knows is the need for a large amount of money. Things that remain unknown include: why she needs surgery [no diagnosis], risks of surgery, possible outcomes of surgery [cure?], recovery time [important as the surgery will take place in the Dominican Republic]...... Remember a few weeks ago when I blogged about questioning how involved we should be in this case, should we visit her at home? She continues to experience headaches and remains bed ridden now in the DR. No one knows if this relates to her previous battles with cancer.
In medical care does a perfect balance exist where the patient receives all the information and not one fact more that they need to make the correct decision about treatment for their personal case? Not very long ago in the history of American folks generally left the major decisions up to their doctor. While some positives existed in this method so did negatives.
So I wonder, has the USA swung to far to the other extreme-flooding patients with to much information to understand so that if a bad outcome occurs the medical profession can hide behind 'informed consent'?
In medical school training the idea existed to try to leave it up to the patient how much information they wanted. Yes the basics needed to be addressed but after that one could leave it up to the patient how much additional information to share.
Our friend came with some medical questions. With almost no information about his wife to base my answers, I answered to the best of my ability. "How to do they reach the brain?" "Do they remove bone?" "How?" "Do they put it back in?" "Will it stay in?"
I confess, I also added some unsolicited advice [I know.... I'm working on this] noting a few questions that he may want to ask so the family can understand more what to expect.
Another line of thinking occurred to this as I pondered this dear man's dilemma after he left for his home. I wonder how our expectations of medical treatment apply to our faith? Take a person raised in a 'information overload' culture and a person from a 'blind faith' culture- would one be able to put their faith in God easier? Is it best to 'count the cost' before committing or commit 100% in faith?
Yet another instance in life where finding the right balance can be tricky. I do not want to get so caught up in the details and making the right decision that I end up waisting all my time thinking and not acting. Neither do I want to act before thinking.....that would not be living an intentional life but reacting to life.
3 comments:
She'll be in our prayers. We liked your blog. This is Osias's wife, right? That's such a hard situation. Thanks for the update.
Reminds me of a book I perused in the bookstore a couple months ago called "Just Do Something" where it talked about people getting paralyzed with indecision wasting time - meaning, while you're waiting to hear from God on something, just do something in the meantime that is pleasing to the Lord. Instead of doing nothing, at least do something - even if it's not related to your original prayer request. Does that make sense? Sounds confusing now that I re-read my post!
Yes Chris and Kath, thanks for the prayers.
Sherry-yes I think to often people sit around waiting for a 'sign' from the Lord when they could be using the basics He taught and lived to help others.
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