Futile Treatment and Conquering Death

摘要

Not long ago I was called by my brother's doctor. He wanted to know if I would accept his judgment that the respirator for my brother should be turned off. Vince, age 81, had contracted West Nile virus, normally treated successfully in 99% of cases, but often lethal in 1%. My brother was in that 1%, with a fast onset of the disease and a no less rapid decline into a coma, all in one day. There was no pain or suffering. His doctor called me one month later for my decision.