Posted on 02/24/2005 3:08:47 PM PST by prairiebreeze
I heard on FOX that yes he did have a flu shot.
Most likely.
What's your point?
Sheesh, wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?
This is the first year in a long time I was refused
the flu shot because of my age....I'm so grateful
that I didn't get it.....poor man....I wish him a
miraculous recovery.
I find it difficult to understand how something as serious as a tracheotomy could be considered an "elective" procedure. I fear we are witnessing the Pontiff's final days. My prayers are with him.
I have 2 "nick names" geege (geee-ch) and gigi.....it's short for Jeannine.
Dittos.
I do, too.
First, the article says "flu-like symptoms". It could be from a number of non-flu ailments, including pneumonia, as was specifically stated in the article.
Second, a flu vaccination only protects you from what doctors predict is going to be the most dominant variety of flu that year. It doesn't protect against every strain out there.
Third, the vaccination, just like every one, is not 100% effective. Even if he did get the shot, and it is the strain he was innoculated against, there is still a chance he could get it.
I'm no longer a Catholic, but I was moved by his recent statement about respect for the difficulties of the elderly. It is a hard thing to remember sometimes, even in my own middle age.
I will have to meditate on his statement that the suffering of the sick "is never useless." I don't know. Perhaps in all suffering there are lessons to be learned, but it seems a hard way to learn them sometimes and so often the innocent suffer.
Still, I hope he is not suffering too much and that he either recovers or that if he does not, God grants him the grace to to deal with his situation.
Got it.....thanks.....
Sorry I was so curt. I was a bit touchy from all the jerks from the other thread.
The pope had approved the procedure, which the Vatican characterized as elective - underscoring that it was not done as an emergency measure.
I have never heard of an elective vent proceedure on someone his age, unless of course the election was between the vent and death.
From this article:
When you do a tracheotomy and you decide to do this operation, it is for a longer-term thing. No one knows that the tracheotomy will be permanent, but we're talking about leaving the device in for some time not only to secure the airway, but to allow doctors to do something they call pulmonary cleaning, actually cleaning the lungs. ...
I agree with you -- makes no sense -- never head of it being elective. My prayers are with the pontiff.
Really hate to think that anyone surrounding him could be the new pope because for the most part they seem anti-American as witnessed by their statements.
Suctioning. He is too weak to cough up his own secretions. Used to do it all the time.
Agreed, but hardly the same as artificially being kept alive.
I've gone over and helped people fill out "Advanced Directives" which are basically a list of things a person might want done or not want done if they are in a grave situation. In my state, at the hospitals I've worked at, they are quite specific, such as, "If I cannot swallow, I'd like a feeding tube put in" check yes or no; and "I want every effort to resuscitate me, if there is a possibility I may recover meaningful life" check yes or now. Elsewhere, you can write what you consider meaningful life to be. Those are just examples. Another "If I have severe respiratory distress and require a ventilator to continue living, I want the procedure done" check yes or no. Actually, I think everyone should have an advanced directive with medical durable power of attorney given to someone who will make for you the decisions you want made, should you be unable to communicate. Then, give a copy to that person, to your doctor, to your priest, rabbi or clergyman, and take one with you if you go to the hospital.
It can be an elective procedure if he has a detailed advance directive.
PS, in cases of progressively debilitating diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, other diseases, patients like to make the decisions about what they want, before the decision is an emergency, or they can no longer make it.
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