Amputate and stay alive or die
Question
Hello Rabbi, My father had a blockage in the leg arthery. The operation involved 2 huge cuts that doctors had to leave open as the muscle was dying. So he is basically with half a leg fully open to the bone. He is already in the hospital for almost 3 weeks. Doctors gave him 3 choices: 1. Keep on doing small operation 6o clean the wounds. This involves 3 times a day wounds cleaning and bandaging. It is a very painful procedure, he must have very strong antibiotics and anasthetics for the removing dead tissues operation. 2. Amputate the leg. In this option he can return to life the fastest. He will do rehabilitation. They might be able yo give him prostate or wheelchair if he is not strong enough. They will teach him how to use it. 3. Palative care wher they will make him conformable from pain and he will eventually die. My dad doesn't want to love without a leg. He is saying dor a long time he is not interested in this life and wants to die. My mom, sister and me are desperately want him to stay alive and trying to convince him to close the amputation option or at least option 1 where they might be a chance to save the leg. On the one hand my dad wants to die but on the other hand he is checking all the medicines and making sure no error is made. The bottom line he doesn't wnat to suffer and for this reason wants to die. What would you suggest in this situation? Thank you
Answer
Shalom!
We are sorry to hear of your challenging situation.
The halacha is that you must endeavor to heal your father even against his will, in the best possiable way. Preserving life is a primary Jewish value.
May Hashem send him a refua shleima.
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