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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 1,039
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WHat do doctors think when you tell them this?
Been a Type 1 diabetic for 36 years. Been on a pump for 9, numerous diabetic issues that I have dealt with, went completely blind in 2017 for 3 months and after 3 major surgeries in 6 weeks I now have good sight in the right eye and OK sight in the left eye. Was talking to my general practitioner and she was asking how the diabetes was going. Talked a bit and at present my kidney function is pretty good. Only slightly declining on what normal function should be. So at that moment I told her that if the kidneys begin to fail that I have elected to NOT do dialysis. She kinda gave me a look that I couldn't place. As I left the office I saw her looking at me with a different look as well. So. for the docs out there, when a patient tells you something like this does this what are you thinking? Does it make you want to care less? Do you have to notify insurance about something like that? I have not mentioned this to my Endo doc after seeing the reactions from my GP.
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02-17-2019, 06:47 PM
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The Unsettler
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lantanna TX
Posts: 23,885
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Well, it could indicate suicidal thoughts so they would be obligated to take note.
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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02-17-2019, 07:18 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 1,039
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Not suicidal at all. She knows that I have multiple situations in the past that could have been take advantage of if that were the mindset. Great observation though.
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02-17-2019, 07:35 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 9,806
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She's probably wondering why you would give up, after all you have been through.
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'24 Tesla Model 3, '22 Tesla Model Y '19 Tacoma '06 Carrera, '79 930 '06 S4 Avant |
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02-17-2019, 08:28 PM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lacey, WA. USA
Posts: 25,305
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Perhaps the look was more philosophical than judgmental.
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Man of Carbon Fiber (stronger than steel) Mocha 1978 911SC. "Coco" |
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02-17-2019, 09:07 PM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lacey, WA. USA
Posts: 25,305
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I'd totally respect that, and maybe she did too.
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Man of Carbon Fiber (stronger than steel) Mocha 1978 911SC. "Coco" |
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02-17-2019, 09:08 PM
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FUSHIGI
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 10,731
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The looks could be derived from a LOT of different things. Your age, your history, your presentation...but just as important would be whatever is also going on with her...every healthcare provider is a person behind it all and they consciously or subconsciously can drag their own stuff or the stuff of others along in their day and life. Also, she may be under pressure from someone following your lab work as a way to measure her performance. Lastly, she may have let her need to remain objective slip a bit...which isn’t always a bad thing.
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02-17-2019, 09:47 PM
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A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
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Why don't you ask her.
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02-17-2019, 09:56 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 48,496
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Quote:
BUT...refusing treatment doesn't necessarily mean you are suicidal. It just means you are refusing treatment. Some things they try to push on me tells me "we get good money for ordering this test, so we want you to do it." I often say no.... And if refusal kills me? Well, that's okay by me. I've had a generally good 75 years. If extending that to 80 meant I'd have a much less enjoyable life, I don't see that as a gain.
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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02-17-2019, 10:16 PM
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Control Group
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If you said that to me and asked me what I thought, I would tell you I am on the same page as you.
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She was the kindest person I ever met |
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02-17-2019, 10:36 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,041
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Lots of docs will not go through some of the torture that is common medicine.
Tobra may be spot on. |
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02-17-2019, 11:43 PM
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Make Bruins Great Again
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My wife and I have seen "that look" when we talk about do not resuscitate and other wishes like that. Make sure you have a strong living will and end of life care document. Doctors by training will want to do everything to extend life even if the quality of life is low due to the treatments. Be sure all your family is aware of your wishes and have access to copies to those who are assigned authority if...
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-------------------------------------- Joe See Porsche run. Run, Porsche, Run: `87 911 Carrera |
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02-17-2019, 11:46 PM
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Almost Banned Once
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Adelaide South Australia
Posts: 38,269
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Are your depressed?
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- Peter |
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02-18-2019, 12:03 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,660
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My grandfather elected not to do dialysis. I don't blame him.
With the advanced medical treatments. Death is denied. It's the same way for terminal cancer patients. Going to hold on for that sliver of hope with chemo, or live the last month not sick hoping that the steroids make good days.
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dolor et pavor Copyright Last edited by Arizona_928; 02-18-2019 at 01:11 AM.. |
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02-18-2019, 12:57 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 1,039
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Thanks guys for the input. To answer a question, I am not depressed. I still have a good life, enjoy life, I'm only 54, but I have seen the horrors of dialysis and do not want to go through that, knowing the final outcome AND I don't want to leave my wife with unnecessary bills after I am gone. Now I could get hit by a truck today and its all over but for now I am OK.
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02-18-2019, 04:29 AM
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Our ability to keep the human body working has outstripped our ability to understand what that means to the human in the body.
Good on you for taking control. If it was me I’d at least try the dialysis. You can always stop if it’s as bad as you fear.
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02-18-2019, 05:37 AM
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Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
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A friend of mine was told he had terminal cancer and about six months, get things in order. His wife and kids talked him into kemo, for them to have more time with him. I stopped by his house every week when he got bad and he ended up lasting about three more months. They weren't good months. He wasn't happy about it, but the kids.
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02-18-2019, 06:15 AM
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Same boat as you. 50 yo, T1 for 37 years. Eyes starting to go bad. Other things. Hope when things start going it goes quick like a heart thing instead of slow multi organ failures. Don't want my wife to have to take care of me . She's aware of my feelings and has the medical power of attorney
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----------- Scott 79 911 SC - Green, 2014 cls63 amg, 1981 528i, 2015 lexus Gx, 08 xterra |
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02-18-2019, 06:16 AM
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I see you
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 29,876
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People in generally good health may try to understand but until you live with serious health issues you can't really relate. I suspect the OPs doctor was having a moment of reflection.
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Si non potes inimicum tuum vincere, habeas eum amicum and ride a big blue trike. "'Bipartisan' usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." |
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02-18-2019, 06:47 AM
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Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
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Quote:
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02-19-2019, 06:19 AM
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2004 Mazda Miata
Max
79 sc
2014 Mercedes Cls63 AMG
