Facing a lifetime of paralysis and a ventilator, injured hunter, 32, chooses to die

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Omaha World Herald

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tim Bowers got to decide for himself whether he wanted to live or die.

When the avid outdoorsman was badly hurt Saturday in a hunting accident, doctors said he would be paralyzed and could be on a ventilator for life. His family had a unique request: Could he be brought out of sedation to hear his prognosis and decide what he wanted to do?

Doctors said yes, and Bowers chose to take no extra measures to stay alive. He died Sunday, hours after his breathing tube was removed.

"We just asked him, 'Do you want this?' And he shook his head emphatically no," his sister, Jenny Shultz, said of her brother, who was often found hunting, camping or helping his father on his northeastern Indiana farm.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20131105/LIVEWELL01/131109217/1685#facing-a-lifetime-of-paralysis-and-a-ventilator-injured-hunter-32-chooses-to-die

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I applaud how this was handled.

I know it was tough for his family and friends, but in the end, the choice was his.

May he rest in peace...

[MicaelS]

2. I applaud his bravery. n/t

[lobodons]

3. I agree, EXCEPT

I agree with this EXCEPT that the decision shouldn't be made so soon.

[kestrel91316]

4. You obviously didn't even read the article. He had every right to make the decision

on his own terms and when he did. He wasn't going to make a miraculous recovery.

People have the right to make personal medical decisions when their mind is functioning properly. That includes decisions about life support.

[Scuba]

5. No one put a deadline on his decision. He could have waited as long as he liked.

[Myrina]

6. It isn't specific about how long he was conscious ... but

I do agree he should have been allowed some time to process what he'd be facing before making the decision.

If it was like "Hey Wake up! Guess what? You're going to be like this forever! Whaddya wanna do about it?" ... that would have been unethical on both the hospital's & family's part.

[crim son]

7. I agree.

I hope the family does not come to regret the way this was handled.

[demosincebirth]

8. Ditto

[Ezlivin]

9. I'm glad he had a CHOICE

We may disagree on his particular choice, but at least he could make one.

I was paralyzed 33 years ago on November 17. As a T-4 complete I'll never walk again, but I've made the very best of my life and recently celebrated my 35 wedding anniversary.

Would I make the same choice as Tim Bowers? I hope never to be put into that position.

[Paper Roses]

10. When my times comes, I hope I am able to make the same decision.

My life, my choice.

No need for my family to suffer through a horrible, no chance situation.
The only ones who would profit from a long, hopeless confinement would be the hospitals and caregivers.
Let me rest in peace knowing that what I worked for all my life will go to my kids and grandchildren, not to help pay the salary of some big health industry big whig.

I know my kids are aware of my wishes. I hope they have listened.

This brave man did what he wanted, who are we to go against his wishes?

[TwilightGardener]

11. I have seen several patients in bad shape, whom we nurses assumed

would be vegetables, wouldn't move, or wouldn't make it, improve dramatically. I would put forth that he was maybe not in condition to give full informed consent so soon after the trauma, and so soon after being "lightened up" on sedation, and also possibly still under the influence of narcotic pain relief. The spinal swelling wouldn't even have gone back down yet to do a full neuro assessment--these things take time. The ICU environment (confusing, upsetting) and intense physical discomfort of being intubated are not good circumstances under which to decide such matters--and he could not have had time to work through his emotions, including his shock, grief and loss, that quickly. I don't think this was a good idea.

[Swede Atlanta]

12. Agree but unfortunately how long do you wait?

What is the right time to set as a "deadline"? We saw how Terri Schiavo laid for years. Her parents kept saying she would not want to stop life support and that she was not brain dead and her husband saying differently.

It is a very difficult ethical and moral issue. I think you have to leave it to the family and the medical professionals to do the best they can in terms of the level of awareness and competency a person has when making this type of irreversible decision. It is, after all, really a family matter to be decided among the family with the patient, whenever possible, with the support of any spiritual advisors and medical professionals.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Once he's out of sedation and they trach him, and they know more about his condition, maybe?

Give him a chance to heal from his injuries and see where he's at? Doctors can be wrong. Patients may also move into a better state of mind and decide to try to keep going--he is apparently aware enough to decide. Or he may have decided he wanted off life support no matter what, and that is OK. I took care of a middle-aged lady with severe MS, and she was in terrible pain and was completely helpless, couldn't scratch her own nose or move a crampy leg. She had decided that if her condition deteriorated further and she needed intubation/vent, she would instead refuse support and die--that made sense, though, because she'd had a long time to think about it and wrestle with the decision.

[Enrique]

14. they should have let Congress decide