What is Digg?212 Comments
- yyz_, on 11/12/2008, -1/+77This article has barely anything to do with Disney or her trip there.
- hokie47, on 11/10/2008, -16/+88I might not know the full story but, I say go for the transplant.
- AmyVernon, on 11/10/2008, -1/+66I can't blame her for not wanting to go through the transplant after everything she's been through, especially as it's very risky and the operation alone might kill her. In terms of her travelling to Disney, I wonder why they can't come up with some sort of agreement on her insurance. For example, if the plane were to crash, then the family would be entitled to some sort of insurance settlement, but if her heart gave out, they wouldn't. It sounds heartless, but it would enable her to go and solve the main issue preventing any insurers from covering her travel.
- GarrettGrimsley, on 11/12/2008, -5/+61I'll take a competent doctor over prayers any day.
- panacean, on 11/12/2008, -2/+50What are you going to prey on?
- avaugha4, on 11/12/2008, -1/+35But mostly it is better to have a doctor.
- darthb, on 11/12/2008, -1/+30By not knowing the full story, you must mean you have no idea what it's like to make a decision like this. I would've said the same thing a year ago. But then I watched a family member wither away and finally understood why some people make this decision. You don't understand pain and misery until you watch someone choose death over living another day.
- t0x2c, on 11/12/2008, -0/+28LOL at Heartless.
- redwolfwalker, on 11/11/2008, -5/+26A brave little girl
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………………………………………………………’’~-‘’_ , , ,,’,_/--‘ - centran, on 11/12/2008, -3/+23good call on this one pedobear. You are only a pedophile not a murderer.
- freehunter, on 11/12/2008, -0/+18A girl in my high school (and her family) ran a city-wide fundraiser for a couple of weekends one summer to be able to afford her chemo for her cancer. After the money was raised, she decided she didn't want to go through that all. Her family kept the money, redecorated their house, and built a new barn and silo for their farm. She died the next spring. To this day, I can't stand to look her family in the eye.
- Atrius, on 11/12/2008, -0/+17Burn the place down. Greedy *****.
The least they could have done was donate it to a cancer related charity. :| - Kalidascorp, on 11/12/2008, -0/+16Note that the transplant is only expected the last for 5 years, so basically she would have to take a chance every 5 years. Also, for those not bothering to read the article, there can be complications during surgery, meaning death. Basically, she's taking her 6 months to live rather than betting it on another 5 years.
- SmEdD, on 11/12/2008, -0/+16Problem is there is a small chance she will live thought the operation (due to her immune system being so weak). But on the other hand she has a small chance she will live without the operation.
If you have been in a hospital most of your life I think you too would opt for no transplant. She has already lived past the time line she was given to live without the transplant and has been making improvement.
If she can hold out for a couple of years, build up her immune system then I would say do it. But me personally, I would rather die happy then in a hospital. - fragileKnight, on 11/11/2008, -7/+22I have been suffering from a couple chronic diseases and would suggest a transplant. But given the girl's age and the sufferings that she has already gone through, I can understand the pain she has lived and this is the cause of her saying NO to transplant. But dear, the chances are that your will recover and stay healthy all throughout your life. I pray for you... GET WELL SOON and RECOVER FAST!
- avaugha4, on 11/12/2008, -0/+15Problem is anti-rejection meds would likely make her leukemia return. She has 2 medical issues, a heart defect requiring transplant and leukemia, which she has been dealing with since she was 4, and she doesn't want to deal with it again.
- nescalona, on 11/12/2008, -1/+15It's her right to refuse this kind of extraordinary treatment, but still really sad.
- sonofashoe, on 11/12/2008, -1/+15"Prey" might not be the most appropriate thing we can do for this poor girl.
- jaromir68, on 11/12/2008, -2/+16The girl sounds older and wiser than her years. A very moving story.
- caitlinwoodward, on 12/04/2008, -3/+16Did I miss something? What does this have to do with losing Disney trip?
- Jareth86, on 11/12/2008, -4/+17Unfortunately, 13 is about as old as she's going to get, and shes been through a lot more in her 13 years than you probaly will in a lifetime. Lets put you in her shoes and see how well you do.
This isn't a four year old refusing to take bitter medicine, this is someone refusing a procedure that may leave her much worse then she was before.
Just as the state has no right to tell you whether or not you are having a baby, the state has no right to dictate when, where, or how you die (no matter what the bible told you). - mmittimm, on 11/12/2008, -8/+21Aw. I feel bad for busting out laughing when I saw her family.
- GOVStooge, on 11/12/2008, -1/+13Why do people fear death so much? Let her do what she wants
- spyd3rweb, on 11/12/2008, -1/+13Better have the government swoop in and whisk her away, then tie her down and force her to have a heart transplant.
- lil666jrkatz, on 11/12/2008, -12/+24I agree. A small chance is better than no chance. Either way, my prayers are with her and her family.
- confoundedjoe, on 11/12/2008, -0/+12I agree but the argument isn't whether to operate or "pray it away". It is whether she spends her last time alive at home or she takes a chance at a longer life which could just lead to her death on the operating table. It's a gamble really. Walk away with what you know you have or risk it all for more.
- leapingstan, on 11/12/2008, -1/+12As a registered nurse I have looked after kids who've been in and out of the hospital all their lives with congenital heart disease. It's an extremely difficult life for them, they miss their friends, school, all the normal kids' staff. They are constantly subjected to tests, injections, etc.
In this case it looks like her chances of a successful outcome, even with transplant, are not that great. Children like her are much more mature than regular kids her age, because they deal with doctors and nurses all the time and know and understand their medical condition extremely well. I understand why the hospital officials respected her wish in the end. They probably saw, that she fully understands the consequences of her decision, and considering the risks of having a transplant with her compromised immune system she is probably right. Because even if the transplant went OK she is likely to develop post-operative complications such as infections and other organ failures and her quality of life would be even worse than it is now. - Treshnell, on 11/12/2008, -2/+12No, she made the decision to live her life the way she desires. The transplant and likely return of leukemia would be just as likely to kill her.
- inactive, on 11/12/2008, -3/+13Good for her. I was just released from the hospital, and was also offered a very risky procedure I declined to sign off on.
I've just gotten my lab results today, and all my levels have returned to normal.
Keep fighting for yourself kid. Your very brave. - Enderic, on 11/12/2008, -1/+11Who says winners get rewarded?
- snached, on 11/12/2008, -1/+10People fear what they don't understand.
- Smoko, on 11/12/2008, -1/+10Children that go through things like she has have a better understanding of what's good and what isn't than most adults who have lived trouble free lives. Having to spend so much time in mature environments really rubs off on people, especially when you're young.
I'm sure she understands what death is and realizes that a heart transplant won't guarantee her getting better and may even lead to her death. I'm sure she also understands that having a shoddy heart will lead to her death, but it won't be anywhere near as bad as surviving the transplant and then dying.
Get off your high-horse, the world isn't great and she knows that. There's nothing wrong with wanting to go out peacefully and getting as much family time as possible before it happens. Anyone who says otherwise needs to come to grips with reality or die. - shimmi147, on 11/12/2008, -0/+8Tasteless...
Dugg. - ShadySpace, on 11/12/2008, -4/+12These comments are ***** terrible.
- paulsabo, on 11/12/2008, -0/+7Sad thing for a 13 year old girl to know she'd rather die in peace than have another operation...
- ousthouse, on 11/12/2008, -1/+8The article has nothing to do with the title... the only thing about Disney is in the picture where it says that she might not go because nobody will insure her... but what's the point of taking out an insurance policy if everyone understands she only has a few months left? The article says nothing about it.
- kthxbai85, on 11/12/2008, -1/+8No person in their sane mind should be forced into treatments they don't want. This girl not only seems to be in her sane mind, but she seems to have a grasp on the enormity of the situation. Considering that she has been in the hospital already much of her young life, I understand her decision to refuse the transplant. I'm not saying it is brave, or in reverse, that it is moronic. But I think it is very understandable, and I think she should be allowed her right to refuse. She is, after all, not a two year old just throwing a tantrum.
- sonofashoe, on 11/12/2008, -1/+8Nicely written story and I like the way you said it. For what it's worth, thanks.
- Khast, on 11/12/2008, -1/+8I actually had a friend die of this particular heart deformity. He died on the operating table. Though I miss him, his alternative would have been just as painful to watch. :( He could have lived, but would have been bedridden for the rest of his life. This, I think would have hurt him more.
- Jareth86, on 11/12/2008, -0/+7What does being PC have to with any of this? retard.
- beaverfetus, on 11/12/2008, -0/+7avaugha4 has it right, the intense immuno suppression she'd be on would most likely reactivate her leukemia. By mechanisms we don't wholy understand an intact immune system seems to keep cancers under control, particularly those of white blood cell origin. either way she's probably making a well thought out decision. Most kids don't just give up on life for no reason.
- Firespray1138, on 11/12/2008, -9/+16Poor taste man, poor taste.
- mbrewthx, on 11/12/2008, -0/+6I have a heart with 3 chambers instead of 4. I have found that Medicine is more art than science. My parents were told that I would not live past 1 year old. That was 1970, I've been given time frames many times, but I'm still here. I say to her, keep going strong.
- Arramol, on 11/12/2008, -0/+6Johntp - No, the way you respond to a post like Jareth's is, "Patnsmith didn't say anything about religion, and the Bible doesn't say anything about who gets to dictate what in this case." Spouting off like you did does not contribute to the discussion in any way, shape, or form.
- mrkmrk, on 11/12/2008, -1/+7Oh, I don't know, it might be that whole, "absolute opposite of everything that makes existence special" thing. I could be wrong, though.
- comrademikhail, on 11/12/2008, -1/+7Pyroteq: Umm... okay... Maybe it's just the buggs that have been plaguing the comment system lately.. Ever think of that smart ass?
- iota, on 11/12/2008, -0/+6I read the article twice thinking I missed something... appears to only be the caption under the picture? Considering the meager Disney content (and Cory Doctorow's Disney boner), I'm surprised that this article isn't already on BoingBoing...
- andrewlotta, on 11/12/2008, -1/+7Isn't she eligible for the Make-A-Wish Foundation?
- harrisbradley, on 11/12/2008, -11/+17Happy Veterans Day Hannah, you're on the list.
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