I can't find the article online but I listened to a very intriguing story today on BBC (via NPR) about a crew out of Cambridge Univeristy in England that has found a way using fMRIs to communicate to patients who might have otherwise been viewed as stuck in a vegetative state. fMRIs are a way to analyze and view blood flow through the brain. They basically asked patients while in an fMRI simple yes/no questions and were able to recognize that the patients were answering.
The story went on to talk to a doctor about this kind of research could mean for the care of vegetative state patients. And let me also say that I really do not like the term 'vegetative state'. I'm assuming that word originated from the word 'vegetable'? It's degrading, no? Somebody please correct me I am wrong in my understanding. But I digress. The doctor was asked many questions in regards to whether this could mean that these kinds of patients could potentially continue to be their own guardian and make their own decisions about treatment. He said "technically, yes". But his last question made me think. He asked listeners if they were in a 'vegetative state' would we want to remain as is or be sedated. He said that he personally would want to be sedated as he would hate to be stuck in a body which doesn't allow him to communicate (unless in an fMRI) and doesn't allow him to live life.
Made me think. What would I do? What I want to have some sort of brain activity and have it limited to simple yes/no questions and that only when undergoing an fMRI? Or would I choose to be sedated? The good news is that it really made me think. The bad news is that I haven't decided. So what about you? What would you choose to do?
3 comments:
My husband heard a story about a man who appeared to be vegetative for years and somehow (maybe through the fMRI thing you're talking about) they discovered he's in fact totally there in the brain, just no way to communicate. He now has a book all about how it was, being stuck in his own body. CRAZY! I'll talk to the husband and get some more info. on it for you. It's always a hard question to ask yourself, because we've never been there and have no idea if that is indeed a quality of life worth living or not. I'm going to have to say no, but then again, who knows. FREAKY stuff to think about Kavita!
Reasons to have your wishes made clear to those around you so if this were ever to happen they'd know what to do. I say no thanks. I wouldn't want to 'live' that way or put my loved ones through it.
Lauren, they mentioned that book on the radio show although I didn't catch the name. They said that it's a very good read. They also used a term called "locked-in" which describes how some people feel when in a vegetative state. Oooof, tough stuff.
Yes, you're right Lizzie, I think Rich and I have talked about this and we both agree that we wouldn't want to be "locked-in". Well, I probably should double-check that's what he said, huh? Ooops.
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