Resuscitation for a Patient in a Terminal Condition
Question
Greetings! I have a sister who is suffering from a non-metastasizing brain cancer in a severe condition that affects her functioning. She does not walk, is not awake, does not speak, does not see (probably hears) but cannot respond. Recently, it affected her swallowing, causing breathing problems, and they had to make a hole in her trachea so she could breathe. She is currently in Beit Rivka [Petah Tikva] and the hospital staff asked us if, God forbid, she needs resuscitation, should we do it? [From the doctors' perspective, she is in a terminal condition, but 'Is anything too wondrous for the Lord?' — even they do not know when it will happen {since there are no metastases in this disease} but there is no cure and it only spreads throughout the brain. Therefore, the question is whether to perform resuscitation [and an additional question of worldview since the Gemara says in Tractate Ketubot that it is a good sign for a person die at the end of Yom Kippur [since his sins are forgiven] should we assume that the patient's opinion is to perform resuscitation before Yom Kippur [even though he may suffer]? May we merit robust health!
Answer
Shalom and may she have a complete recovery!
Resuscitation should be performed. [Regarding Yom Kippur: It is not our consideration to 'arrange' when a person will pass away. The only consideration is when we are obligated to care for the patient's life, and when the Halacha tells us to give up.]
Source
Instruction of our teacher, the Rav, SHLIT”A