Lost Lullaby Book by Deborah Alecson

Ethics

'Lost Lullaby' is a book about a mother who prayed for a child. The prayed that that child die. It is a narrative that involves the ethical dilemma of whether or not to retain a child (or individual's) life when the life is critically impaired.

'Lost Lullaby' is the story of parents who demonstrate courage in placing the needs of the individual above their own. The key consideration in caring for a patient should not be selfish, religious, ideological or political interests, but rather should devolve around the dignity and the quality of the patient's life.

Summary of Book

'Lost Lullaby' is the story of parents who finally gave birth -- to a child, Andrea, who suffered extensive and irreversible brain damage. The book leads us through the agony of the mother, her endeavors to find answers to her questions, her attempts to have the child survive, and then her gradual decision to allow the child to die rather Thant to live a pain-filled incomplete life.

The Message of the Book

i. Nursing Ethics

Nursing care revolves around the patient. The dignity and desires of the patient must be upheld at all times (Tong, 2007).

ii. Surrogate decision-making

There are times when the patient is incapable of making decisions. Surrogate decision-makers, such as guardians -- should always consider the needs and welfare of the patient above all else (Torke et al., 2008)

iii. End-of-life care should be directed around the dignity of the patient and allowing the patient to die in as comfortable and painless a manner for her (Mathes, 2005)

iv. How this is represented in this book:

A. The parents struggled with the challenge of arriving at the correct ethical decision

B. They had problems with the hospital ethics committee, some of whom attempted to dissuade the parents otherwise

C. They had problems with some of the physicians involved, some of whom attempted to dissuade the parents otherwise

D. There were suspicions of a cover up (specifically with unsupervised use of Pitocin.)

Despite all of this, the parents adhered to their decision: the patient has a right to die if he or she wishes. The patient's dignity and needs comes above everything else. The surrogate guardian has to consider the needs of the patient.