[Answered]: Case Mrs

Case Mrs. Neil is a 58-year old school teacher. She had a stroke six weeks ago that left her with some severe deficits. Her doctor has told her family that because of her injury, she will not be able to walk on her own, feed herself, or be independent from full assistance for the rest of her life. Currently, she is still in the hospital and has not communicated with her family since her stroke. She’s breathing on her own but will most likely experience unpredictable bouts of respiratory distress for the rest of her life, requiring future mechanical ventilation. She is receiving nutrients through a feeding tube, which has been inserted surgically in her stomach. Her husband wants the doctor to remove the feeding tube and allow the effects of the stroke to take their natural course. He is sure this is what his wife would want, especially given the grim diagnosis. He knows this not only from what she has told him in the past but also because of her free and independent character. She would not want to live like this. The doctor has told the husband that she does not feel comfortable removing the feeding tube because she believes it is necessary to sustain Mrs. Neil’s life. Prompt Write and post an initial post that responds to the following questions: Do you think the husband’s request is reasonable? What do you think about the doctor’s response? If you were the husband, how would you proceed? Do you think you can remove the feeding tube and still honor the dignity of Mrs. Neil’s life?