My dad is in intensive care unit, on life support.

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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,039
12,367
136
Thanks everyone for your replies. My dad suffered from a stroke on Tuesday that incapacitated most of his brain. His kidneys and heart are now failing him too. He is currently unconscious, in a deep coma. The prognosis is very bad. His chances of recovery are very slim.

I just had lunch with him on monday, and he seemed just fine. The more I think about it, the more I believe he knew something was going to happen. With our recent talks, he finally made peace with me and my mother. On monday, he insisted at the very last moment that I have lunch with him, as if he knew it would be our last time together. For months, he kept telling me he might die any day now, but I kept blowing him off because I didn't want to talk about it. But he always insisted he didn't want to be kept alive by machines either as a vegetable or suffering. He wanted to go painlessly with dignity. The least I can do now is to honor his wish.

I really don't know what to feel right now. I am somehow happy because we made amends and he knows he is leaving us peacefully, with good memories. But at the same time, I am angry that he has to go so early and young, and I am also filled with regrets that I was on bad terms with him over the past few years and that I didn't spend more time with him.

Thanks for listening folks.

That's a pretty unpleasant situation. Did your dad have a medical directive that says he doesn't want to be kept plugged into the machines?
Every state is different about this, but without a written directive, it can be nearly impossible to pull the plug if he goes brain dead...but the body lingers.
 

Brigandier

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2008
4,394
2
81
Good luck OP, I hope there is a confidant you can utilize to manage grief and grief related issues.

My condolences.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
That's a pretty unpleasant situation. Did your dad have a medical directive that says he doesn't want to be kept plugged into the machines?
Every state is different about this, but without a written directive, it can be nearly impossible to pull the plug if he goes brain dead...but the body lingers.

if OP is the legal decision maker it shouldn't be a problem. and clinical brain death is appropriate grounds for termination of care
 

Powermoloch

Lifer
Jul 5, 2005
10,084
4
76
sorry to hear the bad news, best of luck and be strong for your father and yourself. You'll make it through.
 

Krynj

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2006
2,816
8
81
Made me tear up a bit.

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Try to remember the good times is all I can say.
 

preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
My condolences on the loss of your dad.

Take comfort in knowing that you were able to spend time with him this week, and that there was a healing peace between your mother, you and him. You were given a gift that many never receive.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,525
9,839
146
I feel for you. Death is such an impossible thing for us to get our minds around. There is no timetable for your grief, just a gradual lessening of the pain. You get to keep all the good times alive in your heart, and everything else lessens and fades.