Respecting Wishes, Breaking Hearts

I found a patient's chart that said do not resuscitate but the family was screaming at me

to do everything. My hands were shaking. The attending was on another floor. I had maybe ninety

seconds to decide. This wasn't what they taught us in school. The daughter grabbed

my arm begging me to ignore the paperwork. The son was yelling about his father's wishes.

I looked at the monitor. Flatline. Every fiber in me wanted to start

compressions. But that signature on the chart was his. Not theirs.

I made my choice and walked out of that room knowing half that family would hate me forever.

Sometimes respecting someone's wishes means breaking the hearts of everyone they love.