What an awful dilemma...

[Bobbisox]

My friend who I love dearly, her parents are Jehovah Witnesses, she was too till she rebelled and came away from them, she is lucky though, because she still has very good contact with them and loves them both to bits, some are excommunicated from the Church for this. One of her parents is in theatre at the moment undergoing surgery, I can only pray everything will be ok and the sad and awful predicament of having blood, does not arise. I can't get my head around it, but respect everyones chosen Faith.
Bobbi

[supersuezy24]

Hi Bobbisox,
Are Jehovah Witnesses allowed get blood from a family member who may have the same blood type?

[Greedyfly]

Similar things have happened in my family - most are witnesses (never understood it). Hopefully she will be fine and all will go well. =) Fingers crossed.

[Greedyfly]

I believe its not transfusion at all no matter what, a young boy was in the news this week for the same reason

[Bobbisox]

not sure SS, perhaps Greedfly can tell us this

[joeluke]

Jehovahs would sooner die or watch one of their own kind die rather than receive life saving treatment

They do not deserve any respect

[Bobbisox]

they are humans , and therfore they do joeluke

[ummmm]

And brainwashed.

[Bobbisox]

yes ummm, I do agree there, but they aren't the only religion to be bw, most are

[ummmm]

No....It's hard to move away from what has been drummed into you though.

[rowanwitch]

My aunt and uncle are JWs when my aunt needed emergency surgery my uncle was so distressed he broke a lesser rule by getting very drunk My aunt was unconcious and he wasn't in a fit state to discuss this with the doctors, The doctors asked my cousin what they should do, he isn't a JW he said give mum blood he felt he'd rather his mum was alive for his dad and sisters and he took the risk none of them would talk to him again.. The family are still working it out but at least they are all still there to argue

[paddywak]

I'm with Joe on this, people (or a religion), that let people they supposedly love die rather then undergo an everyday medical procedure aren't worthy of respect and no arguement will convince me otherwise

[paddywak]

Forgot to add, Bobbi, that my previous post doesn't stop me from hoping your friends parent has no complications during the op and pulls through OK

[woofgang]

mmm rowanwitch, I wonder if that was why he got drunk. I know only one JW that I know off and she is very fond of a glass of red!

[Bobbisox]

thanks paddy x

[rowanwitch]

I'm sure it was completely deliberate as he knew his son was next name on the contact list,, He loves my aunt very much they have been married 53 years He knew the elders would forgive the drink but not the blood, my Aunt has never been especially strict but wasn't in a position to choose for herself although she carried a no transfusion card

[Bobbisox]

whatever the rights or wrongs of a religion I will never embrace or understand, it has to be an awful thing for a family to deal with

[Sqad]

I have operated on 2or 3 JWs and luckily blood transfusion was not required, had it been, then I would have not hesitated in transfusing the patient.

I appreciate the opinion and feeling of the JW's, but I also have feelings and I could not have lived with my decision not to transfuse and the outcome being a dead patient.

[Bobbisox]

yes sqad , I am thinking of the patient, but what an horrible position for a surgeon to find himself in

[woofgang]

Its a difficult one sqad and that may be what the JW's you operated on were relying upon BUT, and with respect, if I had given you specific instructions concerning an operation on me, I would expect them to be followed...its my choice, not the doctor's
Did they know that you would transfuse against their wishes?

[ummmm]

Are you allowed to transfuse against their wishes?