Medical Decisions: The Right to Choose

To refuse medical treatment.

It will be wonderful when medical science has at last eradicated major illnesses and there are cures for the horrors of cancer and other debilitating and even fatal diseases. In the mean time many thousands of people must cope with medical trauma.

Does an individual have the right to be in charge of their medical condition? Some doctors are so involved in their God-like status that they demand their patients go through any routine or test they deem necessary, irregardless of the pain or discomfort.

Mildred C. is sixty-six years old. She is a painfully thin person, eating only the most healthy of food and avoiding meat. In a trick of fate she has developed arteriosclerosis. Fatty deposits are clogging her major groin arteries and causing her to be unable to walk some days.

Mildred has lived a difficult life. She spent a majority of her life in Nepal, living on the edge of poverty. She was abused and gave birth to a child that died because no medical treatment was available. Mildred doesn't see modern medicine as some of us might. It was never a major component in her life and she does not want to embrace it at this point in her life.

She has however, gone to a clinic and established a relationship with a doctor and is now willing to take the medicine they prescribe for her. But as her disease worsens doctors are recommending more and more things that Mildred just can't deal with. She is harassed by her doctor to have surgeries to flatten plaque against the vein so it can be flushed out of her system. If a piece breaks off - she will die when it floats to her heart or to her brain.

This process of introducing shunts into major arteries is not a permanent solution. The life of these shunts is six months to a year. Then Mildred would face having to have more surgery. Her doctor has very blatantly explained that without surgery Mildred could and most likely would have to have amputation.

Mildred's doctors and friends cannot understand her reluctance and constantly urge her to have the surgery. Some are actually very angry with her, which is understandable in that they care about her and want her to keep living. But, what right in the decisions of our heath and life do we have the right to say - enough!

When does the quality of life stop counting and the clinging to years of pain and medical intrusion begin? Mildred is a poet and artist. She is content with her birds and her little dog. Should her doctor insist on Mildred having the operations, or be let go from medical help? This is a line close to blackmail. Of course the doctor won't discharge her, but her threats serve to keep Mildred on edge and feeling cornered.

This situation will go on forever. Both sides want their own way and Mildred isn't a weak person. She will fight for her right to direct her life and her medical decisions. A hero in a tiny world of her own creating.