Cardiac patient given blood, and died

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Patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses face a hard reality when their mortality depends on receiving blood transfusion. Either face death from insufficient blood supply abiding by Watchtower’s blood doctrine, or face death by social ostracism by choosing not to abide by Watchtower’s blood doctrine.[1-3]

One 56-year-old Jehovah’s Witness underwent cardiac surgery without perioperative transfusion of blood. After surgery she suffered rapid hemorrhage and doctors opened up her chest right in the ICU to find the source and get control before it was too late. By this time her pupils became fixed and dilated. She was on the brink of immediate death. At this point her husband agreed to let doctors transfuse blood. But it was too late.[4]

Acute blood lass was directly related to this Witness’ death. Initially she received no blood, which left her susceptible should she suddenly lose more. She lost more. Even though her husband finally agreed to let doctors administer blood transfusion, she died.

The decision came too late.[5]

Marvin Shilmer
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References

1. See Coercion to Refuse Blood

2. See Cruelty and Threat — Shunning and Watchtower

3. See Watchtower — Faith — Compromise? (unabridged)

4. Henderson et al, Cardiac surgery in Jehovah's Witnesses. A review of 36 cases, Anaesthesia, 1986, Vol. 41, pages 748-753.

5. The article Cardiac patient changed his mind, and lived details a similar incident of post-operative hemorrhage and transfusion where the decision was, fortunately, not made too late.

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