DNR

Signing a DNR for a child is much different than signing a DNR for an adult. Especially someone who is elderly. It's a lot more clear when someone has lived a long life, you understand when they are sick and there is no hope for recovery. It's not so clear with a child. You hold on to hope.

When you sign a DNR for someone, you are letting medical personnel know that you don't want that person to be resuscitated by chest compressions or intubation. In other words, you don't want the person to have their heart restarted if it stops or a tube down their throat if they stop breathing. You are letting this person die a natural death. You are simply going to let them go.

If you don't sign a DNR, medical personnel is obligated to do whatever measures are necessary to keep someone alive. They have to by law. If they don't, they could put their own jobs and licenses on the line. It's the deal. It is only after all measures have been taken with no success that a person be allowed to die.

How is it even possible to make that decision for your own child? For a kid? As a parent, how can you see the situation rationally even when you know what is best? When you know your child has been through so much and managed to hang on but you are now facing the end of the road? How do you sign off on that?

Do Not Resuscitate. You doubt everything you know.