How would you react to a loved one refusing medical treatment?

I have a co-worker with a heart murmur and needed corrective surgery. Doctors told him that if he didn't have it, his certain fate (death) was sealed. He is not a fan of hospitals and is leery of surgery, so he procrastinated. Everyone in his life attempted to coax him into going through with it sooner than later, but he wasn't budging. Finally his wife threatened to leave him if he didn't have the surgery immediately, so he did and it turned out well for him.

If a loved one of yours were in the same situation, would you issue a similar threat if they procrastinated on treatment?

Yes, If their life was on the line.

It just depends on the situation. In some cases people are just being stubborn over something silly. But if it's a terminal illness I have to respect the wishes of that person. I'd talk to them but ultimately it's their life & their choice.

Usually it's my husband being a baby about going to the doctor, which he hasn't done in years, yet whines when he gets the smallest sniffle. I usually just tell him not to worry--he can ignore all his own healthcare stuff if he wants, because I've gotten his life insurance policy paid up, so I'll be all set if he kicks off.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:Usually it's my husband being a baby about going to the doctor, which he hasn't done in years, yet whines when he gets the smallest sniffle. I usually just tell him not to worry--he can ignore all his own healthcare stuff if he wants, because I've gotten his life insurance policy paid up, so I'll be all set if he kicks off.

It definitely depends on the situation and I can understand people NOT wanting to go through with something; around here our doctors are not the most competent breed. My mother knew a man who had throat cancer and the doctor's idea for how to treat that was to wire his jaw shut and cut a hole into his neck, WHY he decided that, I don't think anybody ever found out.

It's their life, but I wouldn't respect them being so reckless and depending on how much I cared about them would probably be upset by their choice.

As others have said, it depends. I'm not going to divorce my wife because she won't quite smoking but you can bet your ass that if she doesn't stop if she's ever diagnosed with a smoking related illness, I'm dumping a bucket of water on her head every time I see her light up. She can leave me.

his life, his decision to handle it

It would ultimately be their decision, but I would be about through with them if they decided to not go ahead with it. I don't know how much I could tolerate watching someone I cared about choose grim suffrage over possible wellness, simply because they have some hospital phobia.

Alan Smithee wrote:As others have said, it depends. I'm not going to divorce my wife because she won't quite smoking but you can bet your ass that if she doesn't stop if she's ever diagnosed with a smoking related illness, I'm dumping a bucket of water on her head every time I see her light up. She can leave me.

Sounds like a good idea to me, Alan!

I think I would yes.

Alan Smithee wrote:...I'm not going to divorce my wife because she won't quite smoking ...

That was one issue between me and my wife and the counselor thot it no big deal. It was to me.

I wouldn't like it, and if I have to threaten them to get treatment that will save their life, then I'll do it.