Mortality vs Morbidity

[jack]

I was introduced to this topic by my cardiologist. It was a very existential conversation prior to making the decision to have the surgery.

It was the sway that caused me to make the decision after all.

Mortality isn't necessarily longevity, but morbidity is about extending quality of life while alive, no matter what chance you have to take.

Discuss.

 

['Gear]

What was your Cardiologist's position?

(while I'm studying)

 

[I Love Cunt]

Well there was a fatality this morning on the road, which made me think about my mortality, and it was morbidity that caused everyone to slow down and look. (2 semis, one log truck, and 13 cars).

 

[Donovan]

My position after having worked among the folks I mentioned is that there is very little reason to end your own life. They go through life with tremendous handicaps and hobbles, but they keep plugging away and enjoying such quality of life as they have. Meanwhile, Jack's scare and an accident here this morning (a reckless driver in a hurry tried to pass a farm tractor on the road, swiped a bus full of Amish farmers, killed five on the spot.) shows that whatever life we have today is not guaranteed tomorrow.

Morbidity in the negative sense is self-indulgent when viewed through the lens of those who have even less but are happier with it. Mortality is not within our control. So both are in a sense irrelevant...

 

['Gear]

So are you guys saying morbidity is a perspective?

This is the def. I read-

Morbidity (from Latin morbidus, meaning "sick, unhealthy") is a diseased state, disability, or poor health due to any cause.

But it seems more like you guys are talking about a state of mind or?

 

[jack]

I saw the video from that accident on the Channel 3 News Dono. Fucked up.

Gear, it went like this. I initially didnt want to do the surgery, because I felt what had brought me there to begin with was the switch in drugs, and all I needed to do was go back on the old drugs with the new ones and I could progress.

The Dr pointed out that that might prolong my life, but in a morbid state (as you describe) The idea that I might take the chance at a quality of life with the same lack of guarantee of immortality was the difference. Did I want to just mark time and hope for the best, suffering all along the way, or did I dare to take the risk, and take a chance that my actions might improve the quality of whatever life I had left no matter what the cost.

One was a sure thing (not surgery) I would continue to live with the drugs hiding the symptoms that were showing up without them. With diet, exercise and lifestyle change, maybe nothing bad would happen.

On the other hand, although the surgery had risks and complications, it was a practiced proven procedure that improved the quality of life of anyone in my condition who would take the leap.

But, I had to jump, and didn't want to.

Hence, mortality vs morbidity. I had never had it put that way before, and it really helped ground me. My wife was impressed by the way I held court to make the decision, and once made was 100% in his hands.

 

['Gear]

The age and position in life of my children and the financial security of my wife would have huge implication for me were I in the same position.

I would imagine the calculated part of 'calculated risk' has a lot to do with a decision like that.

Still, from an admittedly strictly intellectual position, it does represent an interesting conundrum.

 

['Gear]

The thing here is there are so many different variables.

For me I would have to look very seriously at the risk of surgery because I have a young child to raise. That alone would make me stand on the side of diet/excercise/medication with a critical eye toward the potential for death on the table.

Again, I'm freewheeling in the dark here. It's so hard to figure everything in without being there personally.

 

[jack]

It's awesome, the choices we get to make in real time, and how they play out.

I'm liking this life adventure.

Til death do us part.