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Did we hear about the Mom refusing a blod transfusion for her daughter?
WDYT? I think Eggleston is a good hospital , and believe the consent form is standard protocol, so I would have the procedure done.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/25055953/detail.html
She was just on V103, so let me tell you what I heard her say. The story doesn't give alot of information:
I believe the girl has had surgery before and got an infection for a previous blod transfusion.
When Eggleston said they needed her to signt he consent form she found another GA Medicaid approved hospital in Ohio( I wonder if it's the Cleveland Clinic, I know they are top notch) however GA Medicaid isn't letting her take the child there.
If GA Medicaid doesn't approve the procedure at the Ohio hospital she is going to lose custody of the baby and they will have the procedure done at Eggleston.
Here is a text of the story:
ATLANTA -- An Atlanta woman is refusing to let doctors perform heart surgery on her infant because of her religious convictions.
One-and-a-half year old Billie Varner was born premature with a serious heart problem. She is hooked up to a heart monitor 24-hours a day and has already been resuscitated several times.
Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta doctors said she needs surgery because her heart can give out at anytime, but her mother, Zayna, won?t sign the consent form.
The form gives doctors the right to conduct a blood transfusion in the event of an emergency, and Zayna said that conflicts with her beliefs as a Jehovah?s Witness.
?In my understanding of the Bible and reading the scriptures, when it says to abstain from blood, it's my father telling me to abstain from blood because there could be dangers involved," she said.
The hospital obtained a court order to perform surgery on Billie?s twin sister Brooklyn, who was born with the same defect. Doctors performed emergency surgery on Brooklyn when she was 3 weeks old.
But Zayna said a Columbus, Ohio, hospital can perform the surgery without any chance of a transfusion. The only problem is that Georgia?s Medicare program won't pay for it.
If she ever does take Billie to the hospital, Zayna fears her children will be taken away from her without the consent form. Time will tell how long she?s willing to wait.
Re: Did we hear about the Mom refusing a blod transfusion for her daughter?
I have personally watched grown adult patients die because of their refusal of blood products... it was sad, but it was their choice...
I think in the case of children, they should have a medical advocate on their case if the parents are refusing necessary treatment.
I mean, it's a terrible situation, but really, I don't think anything can be done. GA Medicaid pays for things in GA. I'm assuming she can't pay out of pocket, but as those of us with private insurance know, our insurance doesn't pay for everything, let alone top tier, state-of-the-art technology. I wouldn't wish the loss of a child on anyone, but the baby will probably pass away in her own time. The fact that she's been resuscitated several times leads me to believe the heart really can't perform its necessary functions on its own.
It isn't really state of the art technology, it is just a place that specializes in treating people without blood product. They use volume expanders and other stuff instead. The procedure isn't really any more advanced, the procedure would be just as effective with human blood product.
And I would never assume that a baby isn't going to make it based on their rough start in life, kids are so resiliant, and if she was receiving all the proper care and treatments, who knows... Having a heart that works makes a pretty big difference
She'll agree to have the surgery in Ohio, but not in GA?
The consent form states only in the event of an emergency would a blood transfusion be necessary. I agree with pp who stated that adults have the absolute right to refuse medical interventions, however, a child should not have a parent decide based on their religious beliefs when it is a life or death circumstances. How is it any different than abuse?
Don't worry, I'm working on it.
Get it on!
Adventures of A Girl and Her Apron
Oh, I guess I didn't read that part correctly. That is good to know! I was thinking more along the lines if the mother refused the transfusion and the procedure wouldn't be done b/c it would only be done here in GA.
I agree that a medical advocate, someone who has no emotional attachment to the child, should be available when no other feasible options exist.
OMG, you're right. I guess I'm just jaded from the clinical pharmacists who would come back with some heart-wrenching stories after their rounds in the NICU.
Interesting that this was brought up, because we were just having a discussion yesterday about vaccines. I feel the same way about vaccines, but that's a whole different story.
Good - I hope this woman never sees her child again. If you're willing to let your child die because of your BSC beliefs, you don't deserve to be a parent.
ETA: it pisses me off to no end that she expects GA taxpayers to foot the bill for her to choose something totally and completely unnecessary because of her own BSC beliefs. You want to have BSC beliefs? Fine. Then pay your own damn hospital bills.
AMEN. I didn't want to open that can of worms, but I couldn't agree more. When you rely on the government, you get what the government is willing to offer.
I actually saw her interviewed by Jovita Moore on Channel 2 news one night last week. You are correct - Medicaid is not willing to foot the bill for surgery in OH because there is a great in state hospital that will perform the surgery.
How was the interview? In the middle of her phuckery she cited being a very intelligent person, I was like
It sounds like it went basically the same as the one on the radio went. She was talking about her religious beliefs and her interpretation of the bible and why blood transfusions go against the bible. Then in the next breath, she was saying she isn't some "super religious person". Um what?? So your religious beliefs are so important that you would withhold life saving surgery for your daughter, yet you aren't some super religious person? The whole interview angered me. And I started to wonder, if it comes to the state taking her child, will they take only the sick twin? I can't imagine splitting twins up like that. My mom is a twin and her bond with her sister is unlike anything I've ever seen. That mom is beyond selfish.
Well that's exactly my point! Why should they have to pay for her to go to another state when she can get the procedure done right here at an excellent hospital?? Because SHE wants to get something special and totally unnecessary done due to her BSC beliefs.
I wouldn't have a problem with her fighting to get Medicaid to cover it if it were a procedure that was necessary and couldn't be done in GA. I would never say that someone shouldn't get a necessary life-saving procedure just because they're on Medicaid. But there is NO reason for her to go to another state at all in this case and there's no reason at all that the taxpayers should be paying for something utterly unnecessary.
I saw the mom on some news channel (whatever plays in my company's lobby) and she said that she had consented to a blood transfusion in the past for that daughter and she had some sort of infection because of it. I don't know about the side effects of blood transfusions but it appears that her daughter's reaction to the last one is part of her reasoning.
I think its rude to call anyone's beliefs BSC but I do agree that she can have her beliefs and pay the bill on her own. Most people that actually pay for their own insurance can't just go to a random hospital in another state and get a procedure done. I respect her right to have her beliefs and pay for the surgery on her own.
JWs all over the world are probably sending her money now to get it done so I'm sure she and the baby will be fine.
~~~MARRIED BIO~~~
Thank You: JadoreMag, Jovita Moore (Channel 2 Action News), Frank & Wanda Morning Show, The 1380 WOAK Community, Mike Galanos (CNN/HLN), ABC World News & The VIEW and Gary Reaves (Channel 8 News, Dallas,TX) I wanted let you know, Billie Varner has had her life saving surgery.
Because of the story airing on CNN, Hampton Roads Health Awareness contacted me & recommended me to Bob Bellido @ Medical City Children?s Hospital in Dallas,TX. Because of Bob and Dr. Eric Mendeloff along with joint efforts from the Honorable Myrtis Evans and the State of Texas, what seemed impossible became,possible.
Even an attorney, who said he would take he case for free, after getting the whole story said he would not. When I asked why? He said "Frankly? Because you'll lose."
I am glad that the fate of myself & my daughter did not lay in the hands of several of you who posted to various places across the web or called in to the shows. But I can say nothing but Thank You.
Thank you to the websites that were created.
Thank you for the forums that were posted in.
Thank you for the blogs that were written.
Thank you for the donations that were given
Thank you to the hearts who broke along with mine
Thank you to the hearts who spoke
Thank you for the "likes" on Facebook.
Thank you for the letter's of encouragement and love
Thank you for the letters of discouragement and hate
Thank you for the many people who "shared" her page and "shared" her story.
Thank you for the clone Facebook pages, begging me to take the procedure offered by my state
Thank you to the Doctor's who told me the world would not stop turning just because I walked into their hospital
Thank you to those of you who understood.
Thank you to those of you who did not.
Thank you to those who supported me thru this 10month journey
Thank you to those that lost faith and pulled their support
Thank you, to each and everyone one of you for helping in your own way.
I appreciate every single one of you.
Thank you,Thank you,Thank you
Because as a collective, you helped Billie's story be told and as a result, she got the care she needed.
And THAT was the ultimate goal.
The positive and the negative.
Thank you. For it all.
The lack of understanding and slowness to self educate was disheartening at times, I must admit. But as I had stated before, I would only wait so long?so I did what I had to do, to look out for the best interest of my daughter. I sincerely hope & pray that none of you are faced with a medical situation such as this. And that if any of you are, you have the self will & love for your child to educate your selves on the whole picture, inside of simply relying on what you are told.
Doctor?s are people. Medicaid is composed of individual people. Judges, are people.
And people, can make mistakes?especially if they lack the accurate knowledge to make educated decisions.
Knowledge is power?.Read a book?.or several if you must
It?s a sad thing, that we live in a day and age when a person is not listened to because the title that comes with her name is ?Mommy?.
Regardless of your faith.Regardless of the color of your skin. ESPECIALLY, If you are provided with Medicaid. Any parent,in the State of Georgia,If they challeng the integrity and overall positive outcome of a blood transfusion or necessity to put at risk in regard to their child, could have been in the same exact position as I.
Why?
It disappoints me that to cover up the lack of knowledge & inadequacies in advanced medical practices a system would so readily move to take a child from it's parent, in order to shut the issue up.The resources that were given to me in the state of GA failed me. I could not allow that lack of education to determine my daughter's chances for a healthy life & future.
I took my daughter where they would listen, I wasn?t going to wait for my daughter to die for an example to be set to shake people to their senses. Not over something as simple as a parents right to choose and simple piece of paper.
The media distorts things to make it shocking. To grab your attention. And I needed that to make SOMEONE?ANYONE listen. However, I never realized how easily swayed people were until this. It?s as if we have lost the ability to think & reason for ourselves.
My daughter is where she belongs, safe & sound in her mother?s arms. I thank God everyday over & over & over again.
She went thru the surgery with no complications. She lost less than 2cc's of blood and she is recovering very well!
Thank all of you who did support, for your support then & your continued support now. We are still in Texas, trying to make our way home.
In the Media: Without the efforts of Jovita Moore(Channel2) & Mike Galanos, @ CNN/HLN. I don't know where Billie would be today or what her medical condition would be.
Thank You
To Facebook: Every single person who clicked "like" or "share"! With the tap of a finger or the click of a mouse you changed a little piece of the world & helped me save my daughter's life.
Thank You
Thank you to all those involved for giving me the opportunity to express the situation over the air. Thank you for making people talk about Billie story. And, for Billie's sake, thank you,
for giving me a voice.
ZaynaV
Billie's Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/For-Billies-Sake/149547721742656
Her Website: www.forbilliesake.com