Chapter 454 Putting Pressure on Her
Ava was in the doctor's office.
"Ava, I empathize greatly with your emotions. However, as a physician, I must also elucidate the situation to you. William has suffered severe brain trauma, plunging into a state of deep coma. The pupils exhibit light reflex, corneal reflex, swallowing reflex, cough reflex, and tendon reflexes are all absent. He lacks spontaneous breathing and relies solely on medication and machines to sustain life. While his heart continues to beat, his brain shows no activity. In this scenario, ceasing the machines would promptly halt his heart."
As William's wife, Ava held the authority to make medical decisions for him in emergencies where he was incapacitated.
With her signature, organ transplant surgery could proceed immediately.
However, It also meant that she would give up on William.
Ava's eyes were swollen from crying. "Isn't there any other way? Does he have no chance of waking up? With advanced science nowadays, are there really no other treatment options?"
"Ava, the human brain is very complex. William's brain injures severely. With current technology, we have no way to restore blood supply to his brain. We have done our best. However, the chances of him waking up are extremely slim. Even with machines and medication, we cannot sustain his heartbeat indefinitely. If we delay further, all his organs will fail."
Ava wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and composed herself. "So, what is your recommendation now?"
"Ava, I know it is very difficult. However, three patients are waiting for organ transplants now. They need a heart, a kidney, and a liver. If you agree, William can become a donor and save three lives."
Trembling, Ava said, "No. Isn't there still a glimmer of hope no matter how slim it is? I have also witnessed cases of vegetative individuals awakening. So, there is not a complete absence of hope."
The doctor replied, "In theory, yes. However, the probability of him waking up is extremely low. He is unlikely to wake up in his lifetime. It's more probable that his organs will fail before that happens, and at that point, those three patients will lose their best chance for organ transplants."
"So, are you suggesting that I sacrifice William's life to save those three lives?"
Ava found herself momentarily unable to accept the situation.
The doctor sighed. "Ava, I truly understand your feelings. I am not trying to pressure you morally in any way. It's just that the chances of William waking up are indeed very slim. In my thirty years of practice, I have never seen a case like William's where the patient eventually woke up. His current life lying in bed is devoid of any quality, sustained only by medication and machines. In this situation, even the patient himself might not want this. But if you agree, he can save three people and become a great hero."
"Don't preach to me. Whether his organs can save three people or thirty, this must be done under the premise of giving up his own life, which is not his own will. He does not wish to be this hero. You have been practicing medicine for thirty years. When faced with cases like William, do their families truly hold on until the end? Or do they follow the doctor's advice and choose to turn off the machines forgo treatment?"
Ava stood up, her fists clenched. "The chances of him waking up are slim, but it doesn't mean there's no opportunity. Even if there's just a 1% chance, William doesn't want to die. He definitely wants to live. If this hospital can't restore his brain blood supply, I will find another hospital! There are so many doctors in the world. Just because you can't do it doesn't mean other doctors can't."
"Ava, calm down a bit. I understand how you feel."
"Don't talk to me about these reasons. It's not your loved one who is dying. I know three other people are waiting for organs, and they are pitiful. However, I can't give up this faint glimmer of hope. William definitely doesn't want to die. He wants to live!"
"I believe William definitely wants to live. I am not trying to pressure you in any way, and no one is asking you to make a decision right now. I hope you will consider that among the three waiting for organ transplants, one of them is a ten-year-old child, and he is very ill."
"Enough, please cease speaking! You said you don't want to push me, yet you constantly exert pressure on me. I understand your intentions, one life for three lives, truly cost-effective for you all."
The doctor hurriedly explained, "Ava, I truly do not think that way. Please do not misunderstand."
"If you truly do not wish for me to misunderstand, then desist from speaking further. I will contemplate this matter. Kindly refrain from disturbing me until then."
She feared their continual pressure. Any hesitation of her would mean giving up on William. Thus, she must deliberate alone, uninfluenced by anyone.
Ava turned, pushed open the office door, and left.
