This anesthesiologist sums up the end-of-life conundrum nicely:
There are families who accept death with peace, dignity, and an unselfish regard for their loved one’s wishes.
There are other families who cling to the one they love, and want “everything done” for the person, not because that’s what their loved one wants, or would benefit from, but because they, the family, aren’t ready to say goodbye.
In the latter cases, patients are often intubated against their wishes.
Sometimes not wanting everything done is the right thing to do. Families need to understand that.
