Thursday, November 16, 2017

THREE.

Have you ever been alone, just sitting and thinking, spending very precious time contemplating on how all would end while you are just alone, say, in the porch, or perhaps by the window, where you just look at the blank space in the distance?  Death is something even us old folks can only think about ... we probably cannot actually know and experience it.  We can wonder ... would it be lonely when that happens?

In times like this, one would perhaps think of the medical people who have been working so hard to keep us alive.  It's the medical doctors that I have in mind right now.  Many of them, when they deal with old people would be guided by their hypocratic oath ... to save lives ... to keep a patient alive whatever it takes ... etc., etc.  Sometimes, this is no longer in consideration of how the old person thinks about it.  In many cases, doctors succeed in saving lives, in prolonging lives, but usually of a different quality.

I recall what I told the two doctors who were looking after my late mother, Nana, when in the hospital they asked me what should be done when a medical situation happens.  I took control immediately.  I told the doctors, "if she stops breathing, let nature take its course.  Do not revive.  Even if you can revive her, she will not regain her previous quality of life which she is entitled to whatever happens. I take all the responsibilities relating to this."

In any case, what does the extension of life means?  It's really more old age and less quality life.