This story is sad, but was a waste of time, effort and money.
A devoted mother has finally overturned a do not resituate order placed on her son by doctors who did not have her permission.
June Hackett, 66, fought for two years to give her brain-damaged son a final chance – although doctors warn her it is extremely unlikely he will be able to open his eyes, walk or talk again.
Kristopher – known as Krissy – had a cardiac arrest while making his mother a cup of tea in 2021 at their home in Stockton, County Durham.
He was put in an induced coma at University Hospital of North Tees after paramedics managed to resuscitate him after 65 minutes.
Aged just 33, June claims he was given a DNR order without her consent after doctors said he would not survive more CPR.
Normally, they stop trying after a few minutes as the lack of oxygen to the brain has had the effect of causing brain death by then. Resuscitation would only result in a vegetative state anyway.
The problem with fighting this and clinging on, is that the grieving process is delayed and extended. This guy is not going to wake up, he will remain in a semi coma, half alive, half dead. The decision not to resuscitate was the right one given the amount of time involved trying to revive him.
The problem here is one that has been encouraged by the medical profession itself – the idea that we should extend life beyond what is viable, that quantity of life is more important than quality. This man should have been allowed to die with dignity, the family to then grieve and move on with their lives, no matter how heart-breaking that might be.
In this case you are probably right, LR.
My father-in-law, who has since departed, had pneumonia. A doctor had DNR put on his notes, judging that his quality of life was poor. Although he spent his days sat at home, with 6 children and 12 grandchildren, he had visitors everyday which gave meaning to his life. MrsBud phoned from Australia. Initially the doctor would not talk to her, but she threatened to make a complaint if he didn’t, so he did. He claimed that my father-in-law, a man brought up to believe that you don’t question doctors had consented, as had one of his sons, the one with serious mental health issues. As a mental health social worker, MrsBud has considerable experience dealing with doctors. She advised him that she was making detailed notes of their conversation and insisted that he add a record of the conversation to her father’s medical file. The upshot was, realising that he was dealing with a strong willed woman who understood the system, that he agreed to remove the DNR. My father-in-law recovered and enjoyed a few more years with his family.
My late mother made it abundantly clear that she didn’t want resusitating when her time came. It is a relatively modern problem that medical science has reached a level where we can keep people alive long after it has ceased to be in their best interests. Making your opinion on the matter clear to those close to you before it ever becomes a problem is one way of making these decisions a little easier to make.