Extraordinary Measure

At the age of 101 admittedly, my mother is in decline physically.  Recently when she contracted a viral bronchial condition, it prompted a snap visit to her physician who led us to a physiological and philosophical discussion about the “appropriate care” given her age.

The question at hand was about the “end goal” and the burdensome cost of that pursuit.  To what end are heroic efforts that ultimately lead to eventual death?  He was speaking personally as he is at the same decision point with his dad at 93 years old.

He said that many more people today are beginning to grapple with the question of mortality as it relates to aging.  He emphasized the meaning of life for someone at advanced years opting for comfort care instead of providing sanitized safe environments that may just prolong the inevitable - death.  

He cautioned that there are no right or wrong answers and that people should embrace what they believed to be the best solution not just for the aging parent but also for society at large where resources are dwindling.  His perspective however does not include the teachings of the Catholic church where life is precious from the moment of conception to its end.

This is where human reasoning fails the divine.  Knowledge does not surpass the Wisdom that is inherent in man’s destiny and its fulfillment.  Heroism disguised as extraordinary measures for prolonging life only opens a pandora’s box to mercy killing.  

Who decides whether a man lives or dies?