HOW CAN BLOOD SAVE YOUR LIFE?

Conclusion of: SURGERY, YES - BUT WITHOUT TRANSFUSIONS

At the hospital of Gottingen University (Germany), 30 patients who declined blood underwent surgery.  "No complications arose that could not also have arisen with patients who accept blood transfusions. . . . That recourse to a transfusion is not possible should be overrated, and thus should not lead to refraining from an operation that is necessary and surgically justifiable." -Riisko in der Chirugie, 1987.  

Even brain surgery without using blood has been done in numerous adults and children, for instance, at New York University Medical Center.  In 1989  Dr. Joseph Ransohoff, head of neurosurgery, wrote:  "It is very clear that in most instances avoidance of blood products can be achieved with minimal risk in patients who have religious tenets against the use of these products, particularly if surgery  can be carried out expeditiously and with a relatively short operative period.  Of considerable interest is the fact that I often forget that the patient is a Witness until at the time of discharge when they thank me for having respected their religious beliefs."

Finally, can intricate heart and vascular surgery without blood be performed on adults and children? Dr. Denton A. Cooley was a pioneer  in doing just that.  As you can see in the medical article at the end of this Subject, later titled JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES /THE SURGICAL/ETHICAL CHALLENGE, based on an earlier analysis, Dr. Cooley's conclusion was the "the risk of surgery in patients of the Jehovah's Witness group has not been substantially higher than for others."  Now, after performing 1, 106 of these operations, he writes:  "In every instance my agreement or contract with the patient is maintained,"  that is, to use no blood. 

Surgeons have observed that good attitude is another factor with Jehovah's Witnesses. "The attitude of these patients have  been exemplary," wrote Dr. Cooley in October 1989.  "They do not have the fear of complications or even death that most patients have. They have a deep abiding faith in their belief and in their God."  

This does not mean that they assert a right to die. the actively pursue quality  care because the want to get well.  They are convinced  that obeying God's law on blood is wise, which view has  a positive influence in non-blood surgery. 

Professor Dr. V. Schlosser, of the surgical hospital at the University of Freiburg (Germany), noted:  "Among this group of patients, the incidence of bleeding during  the perioperative was not higher; the complications were,m if anything, fewer.  the special view of illness, typical of Jehovah's Witnesses, had a positive influence in the perioperative proces." -Herz Kreislauf, August 1987.  

Next time: HOW CAN BLOOD SAVE YOUR LIFE?/YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE 

From the Watchtower magazine