A meeting of hearts if not minds

[rug]

Some Jehovah's Witnesses with leukemia turn to an atheist Cedars-Sinai doctor who respects their refusal to accept blood transfusions.



Dr. Michael Lill examines Jehovah's Witness leukemia patient Christina Blouvan-Cervantes, 27, while her husband, Andres Cervantes, 21, observes during a weekly checkup at Cedars-Sinai's outpatient cancer center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times / January 10, 2012)

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times
February 2, 2012

Christina Blouvan-Cervantes had been battling aggressive leukemia when her blood count plummeted and she landed in the emergency room in Fresno. Her doctors told her a blood transfusion was her only hope. But her faith wouldn't allow her to receive one.

So she turned to one of the only doctors who could possibly keep her alive: a committed atheist who views her belief system as wholly irrational.

Dr. Michael Lill, head of the blood and marrow transplant program at Cedars-Sinai's Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, is a last recourse for Jehovah's Witnesses with advanced leukemia.

They arrive at Lill's door out of desperation and a desire to live. Many specialists decline to treat them because of their biblically centered refusal to accept blood transfusions, a mainstay of conventional care for the cancer.

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-jehovahs-20120202,0,1225354.story

[jeepnstein]

1. Reminds me of an old joke...

A man was standing on the roof of his house, flood waters totally covering his house and lapping at his ankles. He prayed, "Lord, I trust you and know that you will save me."

A couple in a canoe came by and asked if he needed help.

"No," said the man, "the Lord will save me."

Later, the water now risen up to his waste, the man kept praying, "Lord, I know that you will save me from this."

A couple of fishermen in a rowboat came by then and offered to take him to safety.

"No thanks," said the man, "I know that God will save me from this."

Not long after that the water rose to throat level. The man kept praying to God, "Lord, I know in my heart that you will save me from this."

A National Guard helicopter came by, hovered overhead, and lowered a rope for him to hold onto. He refused saying, "I know God will save me from this flood. Thanks anyway."

Well, the water rose even further and he drowned. When he got to heaven he looked up at God and asked, "Lord, I prayed to you and trusted in you so much. Why didn't you save me from that awful flood?"

"What?" the Lord asked, "I sent you a canoe, a rowboat, and the National Guard in a helicopter but you wouldn't take any of them!"

[dmallind]

2. Fair enough I guess but really isn't this

"Responsible doctor does his job, even with irresponsible patients".

Don't see the difference between doing this and giving an enormously fat man who refuses to diet some pills for the pain in his overloaded knees. Sure you treat the symptoms as best you can even though patients continually work against their better interests.

[rug]

4. If you read farther he said this:

"I try and treat people's religious beliefs with respect."

[dmallind]

5. Sure - doctors don't often say "pills are just treating the symptoms fatass" either

While many forget it, doctors are in the service industry. I wouldn't go all House on JW's if I were a doctor either. I'd just tell them what their limits mean and make sure they signed off on the ramifications and do my best.

[darkstar3]

7. Oh my, a man who tries really hard not to piss off his customers.

I love how you think "the customer is always right" is a novel concept.

[cbayer]

3. Good for him. These are tough cases and can precipitate

ethical crises in hospital staffs. He is doing the right thing by respecting their wishes and beliefs whether he shares them or not.

[Deep13]

6. I don't know if I'd be willing to take a case...

...with one hand tied behind my back.