Parents Decide to Let their Daughter Go Upon Fire Injuries | Chicago Med | MD TV 

Burns are insanely painful and last a long, long time. I wouldnt want to live with that, so props to these parents for considering their child before their own grief.

Honestly, that girl is in for years of pain and agony. Years of emotional distress. Years of therapy. I’m so glad they decided to keep her alive, but I definitely didn’t blame them for their decision to take to tube out when they did.

I don't think a lot of people realize how horrific burns are especially when they're over a large area of someones body. My stepdad fell into an open manhole in the city into a hot water line as a college kid. Months in the burn unit & he still has scars at 60+

I have to respect her parents for only considering their daughter before their own pain.

If my parents were in this situation, I would want them to make the decision to let me go. I have so much respect but them.

Burns have got to be one of the most tragic things a patient could ever go through. Not only is it tremendously painful, but the emotional pain can be excruciating as well. It’s so heartbreaking

Did anyone else notice that nobody is wearing protective clothes? This despite being burned over 80% of her body.

honestly kudos to these parents. too many people are selfish and will prolong the pain and agony of others - humans and pets - just for themselves without considering the actual living being

Respect to parents who let their kid's suffering end, absolutely inconsolable and heartbreaking decision to make.

I could be wrong, but this feels like a major misrepresentation of burn wound care in the medical field. Burn wounds to this extent would require an immediate airlift to the closest specialized burn wound care center. 80% of the total body surface area burned only has a 10% survival rate in a specialized burn wound care unit (probably .1% in a general ER), and that's not even beginning to talk about quality of life IF you survive. It's not "a couple of months in the hospital", it's years and years of grafts and revisions and excisions just to be able to get SOME elasticity in the skin so that you can BEGIN physical therapy... You'd be in pain your entire life.

My worst nightmare is being a burn victim. The horror and pain is beyond anything.

As tough as this is, i appreciate that the parents were able to make that decision. Quality of life is important. Obviously it should have been the girl's choice to start, but it's clear the parents were devistated over this, and weren't making this decision lightly. What no one wants to admit is the long term financial cost that is going to devistate the family. From the inital ER and surgery bills, the long term treatments, medication, time off of work (and likely job loss, which will include the loss of insurance), as well as damage to future job prospects for the girl and overall hadm to her long term quality of life. Im sure finances were also discussed by the parents prior to the decision, which is a sad reality in and of itself that it must be part of the conversation. The girl choosing to fight to live is her own choice as it should be. But i hope the parents aren't villainized for choosing quality-of-life over life at any cost.

As a child who was in the hospital and on deaths door, I really hoped my parents had just let me go sometimes. The medical costs that plagued our family afterwards are just too much to bear

I made my husband promise to not let me suffer ever. I respect the wishes

I’m a young adult that still lives under my parents roof while I’m in grad school, and I’ve been up front with them about how if I ever were in some sort of massive medical emergency that would leave me in a great deal of pain for the rest of my life, brain dead, I’d have to relearn everything, extremely dismembered, stuck in a coma for years, etc. I’d want them to let me die. I wouldn’t want to live like that. My parents told me they wouldn’t have ever let me live like that if something were to happen, which is nice to know we have the same morals and beliefs on this topic. I had learned about Terri Schiavo in college and I did not want to end up like how she was, legally brain dead and on life support for 15 years because of a legal battle between her husband and parents on what she would have wanted. It’s a lesson, always have your wishes/desires straight when it comes to something massively medical/is a matter of life or death. Doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, anything can happen to anyone at any time. I know that sounds morbid, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. For me, part of it too is that I wouldn’t want my family to spend massive amounts of money on my treatment and taking care of me (because if I’m impaired how could I pay for it? Or drain my bank account) and risk them losing their savings and retirement funds. Also, I want to be remembered as the person I was before something bad happened that lead to some impairment, because if I’m alive with that, the memory of me would be clouded by that. Such as, if I were in a lot of pain and suffering I wouldn’t want to be remembered in that condition. Also, depending on the type of impairment, my family would end up grieving the old me and then if I were to die at some point from the impairment, they’d have to grieve my death all over again, and I’d hate to do that to them. EDIT: when I talk about this I’m referring to EXTREME medical issues, not a medical emergency that can be bad but that has a good prognosis which includes maybe needing some therapy, rehab, surgery, etc. I’m referring to extreme cases like the one in this clip.

Everyone should have the right to die with dignity, I'd want the same thing tbh

I was burned at 18 when the gas tank in the car I was a passenger in exploded. My legs, arms and hands, and face had third and second degree burns. I was eighteen and in the hospital over six weeks. I am so glad to have lived and gone on to a full with my husband and our son. So glad this mentioned the will to live and overcome. It’s worth it!

it's hard to get in their shoes, but if i was, i would have done the same. If i were severly burned like this, taking years to recover, having to learn everything again, having horrible scars of the accident on 80% of my body, i would be relieved that my parents chose to let me go

I was a nurse. One of my best friends worked a burn unit because he had been badly burned as a child. I know what I saw when I visited him and what his life was like. If I sustained burns like that, I would want to die. The agony that awaits her is not what anyone would want to go through. It is a sham life, constantly having children scream, people shrink away, living huge parts of your life in so much pain.

I worked in a whatever position at a few hospitals. One "case/patient" will haunt me forever. I saw & interacted with thousands of patients, but this ONE was the most difficult. A young child came to th ER via ambulance. The nearest/best children's hospital was there to transport child. But children's kept lapsing back into arrest. When we finally got child stabilized for transport, the mom was told to go ahead & they're meeting her there. Mom left to get a head start of the transport ambulance, child arrested AGAIN! Mom came back...& said "stop. Just stop.her body is trying to die, so just let it". This child was in a car accident 2 yrs prior & had spent about 20 months in & out of hospital. Once it was "called", I stayed in the bathroom crying so long, mY supervisor cane knocking. Being the mom of a special needs child myself, that child/mom/case will always be the most memorable, the most heartbreaking. That mom is incredible. That night, alone she watched her child be resuscitated at least 10 times. So almost 2 yrs added to it, i cant imagine. 😢💔💔

I think the parents made a very sound decision. Of course, I'm sure it wasn't easy by no means, but they may have already knew what their daughter would have preferred. I know for myself, my parents and I have already had these types of conversations as well as with my doctor. I personally have a DNR, which to some may be pretty bizarre considering many factors such as age, but like someone commented already - quality of life is very important. These types of talks are scary, but it's imperative that you have them because you just never know.

I freaking love this show and honestly hearing about her body image issues and bullying, if she had come out of the induced coma and saw herself there would be so much trauma and a risk of killing herself.

I totally respect the parent's choices. I would hope if I were in an accident like this my mom would let me go. I know she wouldn't but I would not want to live like this.

Livin as a burn survivor it's a extremely hard life. Shout out to whom keep on fighting...

Letting her go is the right decision here, if you look at projected quality of life it’s just not worth it

I don’t blame the parents, they knew she would have been depressed, but understood she had fight in her

As one that often wished to have been let go, I appreciate that they stood for what they knew she would want and ultimately by having the convo in front of her, letting her body choose

Sometimes it better to let someone go - sometimes living is far more painful, torturous, and cruel then death. Having your wishes made clear to those you trust is important. And it's never easy to make a decision like this for someone else. The only thing you can - and should - do is respect someone's decision: specially if you hope others will respect your decisions.

Took medical ethics last semester, these types of situations are a lot more difficult to unpack but at at the end of the day, if the parents decided not to continue treatment, they’re doing it with the best intentions

I've watched my own mother die, and it came down to quality of life not the cost. I was with her the last several weeks in home hospice. Not an easy choice by any means. Her poor parents 😢

To be realistic they would have Delores from accounting come in and advise them that they are not covered by the insurance for any of the treatment but sign here and the large corporation that owns the hospital is willing to take their retirement, home, auto and garnish their wages

I understand how difficult it must be for doctors to step back and allow parents/relations to make decisions of life & death they don't agree about, but famlies are much more likely to know the dynamics, personalities, wishes of family members than medical personnnel.

Dad took it like champ and kept his cool in every frame he was in. I know there are actors but still, that is awesome.

One of the best crossovers the Chicago franchise has ever done especially with the fact everything happened because of one person

I don’t blame them. I’ve told my parents if I were in a really bad accident that was life changing and I would be miserable the rest of my life don’t save me. I don’t want to live like that.

honestly, best parents ever, me and my mom have an agreement that if anything happens that may change our way of life and a decision has to be made, we would do it. We dont want a half life

Parents made the right decision. I myself would not want to live like that.

This is why if anything happens to me I don't want want to be kept alive

I wish they'd give some idea of how people pay for these procedures and doctors. Especially people who don't have sufficient medical insurance. 🤷‍♀️

I respect the parents original choice. For me it's not worth surviving for more pain. Also how tf is ava a doctor?

If her body was 80% burn the doctors and the parents should have some protective equipment on. Because her body is severely damaged and exposed.

The parents look so young to have a child that age. Also I don’t blame them if I was burned that bad I would want them to just let me go.

My mom had cancer, her body was shutting down, several falls, she had a DNR bracelet and medical records. She fell backwards off cement stairs and hit her head. The doctor still asked us if we wanted surgery to fix her brain bleeds.

I'm 100% on board with the parents decission. I would not want to live like that, the pain, the slow progress, and the "life" you would have...it wouldn't really be a life worth living. Not to mention the financial strain the whole thing would put on the family, it's not fair for them either.

This scene is not that simple. If i was in that girl position i would have told them to pull the plug on me. Imagine feeling depressed your entire life because of the way you looked, you dress, for being chubby and being bullied just make things worse for you, it makes you feel that you dont mattered. I respect the people that chose to survive, to keep fighting and surving after an accident like this, but the truth is im not you, i dont have that will power that many of you have.

I wish more people took quality of life into account before their own feelings about love and missing someone. It's incredibly difficult but would make so many peoples struggles a lot less terrible.

I would do the same for my child ,it’s heartbreaking but who wants to see their kid go thru that

I understand the parents decision.

I knew this couple, their baby was born with underdeveloped lungs. They were given the choice whether or not to take him off life support, as he would live his entire life hooked up to a machine. Ultimately, they pulled the plug, but the baby was breathing on his own. It was a miracle, as the doctors didn't think he'd survive. Life will be hard for him, but at least he'll have one.

The parents had good intentions in my opinion, they clearly cared about her. It was in the aspect, was the girl going to be happy fighting financially and physically in a life on life support, having to regain and relearn how to go on with life. The parents were aware with their daughter about the things she’s gone through and since chose the hard decision she needs to go. they clearly don’t want her to go, just something to bring her peace.

This is why everyone should have an advanced care directive that outlines what decisions you'd make for yourself in these scenerios so if you're incapable your family doesn't have face the burdeon of making the final call

There’s the old saying of a person choosing between what is right and what is easy. These parents chose what was right and it breaks my heart. I don’t know what I’d do if it was my child

As a nurse, this shows the importance of getting your medical wishes (code status) on paper and notarized so your true wishes are carried out.

It takes an enormous amount of love to make that decision 💔

I have always told my family that if anything happens to me that would leave me in devastating condition. I never want to wake up, to just let me go. We are thankfully all on the same page.

This has to be a parent's worst nightmare

I feel so bad for the parents having to let their daughter die

Actually good parents. If I would’ve had to go through something like this as a teen, I more than likely would’ve taken my own life afterwards anyways, once I was able.

That girl is very strong. I'm shocked of it. Whoa... I'm speachless.

Would she survive? Yes. But what would the quality of life be? It's a sad decision that lots of people actually go through. But I understand why the parents here made that decision. Mental health isn't a joke. Being bullied isn't a joke.

I've been through so much already. If I have something very bad happen to me like this I hope my parents let me go.

Living with a painful disability is never easy, but the people who do are stronger than the mountains they climb every single day. Keep climbing, even when your body shakes from the pain, it is worth it.

My respect to these parents to make this decision! Extremely difficult and heartbreaking 💔! They saved her many years of pain and suffering on top of what she had already suffered.

If this happens to me I hope my partner has the courage to say no to doctors as well.

I'd rather die than live like that. I already know daily pain, and I barely survive that. I wouldn't even want to survive this.

one of the painful part is even after she's completely healed of her burns her movements would be limited

My son and daughter's high school friend, had a bon fire. Parents inside. The fire was dying out, she decided to pour gasoline on it. The only part of her not burned was the bottom of her feet. She lived a little over 1 year, mostly in a coma. Underwent over 30 surgical procedures. She finally passed from infection. She was in a highly skilled burn unit. As painful as losing her would be, I dont think I could put her through 365 days plus of the torture and years of rehab to "live" after being burnt that extensively.

It really is a hard decision, but their initial decision was out of love.

Honestly it's a hard choice to make but you can understand their reasoning. Ignoring the likely years of painful therapy she'd have to go through just do even basic stuff again, she'd lose months, even years of her life in the hospital and live with burns all over herself, on top of all the stuff she was already dealing with. Not to mention from a financial standpoint this would bankrupt her family and I doubt she'd want that either.

This is heartbreaking to watch on TV, I can't imagine when it comes time to make such a decision in real life. My heart goes out to everyone who ever had to make a decision like that.

I wish we'd had that choice with my grandpa. He had blood cancer (qnd other cancers they couldnt locate but knew they were there) and literally went through treatment until his heart just stopped beating. I wish we'd had a chance to stop his suffering earlier.

This is every parent's worst nightmare..

I feel like most doctors that work with burn victims that severe would agree with the parents.

This was beautiful - *such* a brave and loving decision by the parents, each time. FWIW, I think it was the right decision each time, and I only hope I can live up to the strength the writers gave these characters (and the actors playing them - such honesty in their performance!) if I'm ever in that sort of position. They were prepared to let her go, and she clearly chose to fight: whatever the outcome, that's a decision of which one can be proud xx

How dare that arrogant doctor speak to Mrs Goodwin like that😮

They did the right thing. I would've been SO APPRECIATIVE.

I feel so sorry for that girl and her parents. I know how it feels to struggle then at a moment of time where everything was good something terrible like almost dying happens.

As someone who has worked in the medical field, this was a good decision to let the suffering end.

A lot of people know in their own heart that they would not want to live permanently disfigured or a quadriplegic etc. Its good to see people respecting wishes, if that is indeed what there daughter would have wanted.

Quality of life > These parents were so brave and selfless omg

Worked as a chaplain at a major university research hospital-very plausible scenario.

I am so glad they changed their minds in the end. Imagine the converstaions afterwards though-

I would have made the same decision. I would also want my parents to let me go if I was the patient.

"Sink or Swim". The girl choose swim. The parents made a good decision by letting HER decide. People who might have question their decision need to understand that there are fates worse than death.

Look. If i ever was a burn victom, if i was in a coma or something horrible id want them to let me die. I wouldnt wanna suffer

I’ve been ill my whole life with a neurological condition. The hospital I was treated at as a child (neurosurgery), was predominantly a paediatric neuro and burns ward. A little bit of orthopaedic surgery too. Anyways, I spent alot of time on that ward, saw alot of children with burns. At 32 I still have quite a severe fear of fire, I can still hear children crying from having their burns dressings changed, I still find it had to look at healed burns. I’ve made it very clear to my family that if I experience a severe burn such as this, I’m not to be saved. There are other illnesses and injuries we have discussed and the outcomes, how I wouldn’t want to live. I think being in hospital from such a young age, we had these conversations early. It’s important.

this scene always makes me cry every time I watch the whole thing. I just love watching emotion movies, and TV shows . 😢😭😔❤

Survive to something like this is one thing living after it is the real deal, not everyone can do it and the ones who does have my respect and prayers

the parents are doing the right thing.

Fantastic parents. I would want the same from my parents if this happened to me.

I've watched many of these video's and this one the only one got me crying.

I understand long-term care is pretty tough and stressful for a family to go through. Jesus Christ I know this is a TV show, but I don’t doubt there are some people like this.

No one should ever have to be put in situations like this

If it were me in that bed, I prefer my dignity and count on my family to not let me live like that! She was bullied before the burns, and kids are freaking cruel!!

since this is the US, Im assuming their family goes into crippling debt thereby devastating the entire livelihood of the family. So theres no happy ending

We had to let my dad go too in the same situation. We really thought he’d make it, but it just wasn’t looking good, to say the least.

A medical power of attorney that states your wishes should you become unable to voice them is exactly for situations like this one

At the end of the way the doctors wouldn’t have been the ones who had to pay all those medical bills. And with the trauma the parent acknowledged their daughter had been going through. They did the best thing

Not an easy decision but I can’t imagine anything more agonizing than burns and the treatment afterword. I’d want to go.

No parent should ever have to make this kind of decision. Ever.