P.S. on DNR's

Well, in case I forgot I was human, and make lots of mistakes, I find I must correct two things in my last blog.

First of all, as my husband pointed out with exasperation (as he had told me the story many times and I still got it wrong, so he made me read it in his history book) I made a mistake in my story about the abbot. I had to go back and correct it. It was NOT Muslims he was fighting. It was Cathars. Cathars were a break off sect of Catholicism and were considered heretics. It doesn't in any way change the point I was making. But now it is historically correct, and please forgive my laxness in not double checking my facts. :)

Second, and more important, as I thought about my blog I started to feel very worried. Terrible, in fact. I was worried that someone who read it had already made some choices regarding DNR's that were different from mine. I felt terrible thinking that these persons unknown would think I was in any way criticising them.

Let me clarify: Each person is different in their story. So, of course, I understand that what is true for one is not always true for another. If my husband suffered a heart attack, I'd have them restart his heart!! There may come a time where putting Joel on a ventilator does not seem to be respecting and protecting his life, but rather just prolonging a difficult and painful end.

So please understand that I am in no way trying to make a blanket statement of what is right or wrong for anyone else in their situation. I was just explaining the principles that helped me to make a very difficult choice. And as you can read, it was so difficult for me that though I made the choice in my heart, I have not yet been able to articulate it!