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Need Advice Asap, Mother Is Hospitalized And Doesn't Want To Be Incubated Again, Hospital Says They Won't Honor The Request

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Location: Texas. My mother got hospitalized a few days ago. They didn't have anyone's phone number at the moment, and didnt have anything in writing about not wanting intubation, so they ended up intubating her. I was told by the social worker I was the next of kin and the one to make decisions while she can't, but they still wouldn't let me make the choice to remove the tube. Every time she woke up she freaked out and tried to remove the tube herself, so they restrained her to the bed. Despite that, she finally managed to get the tube out using her tongue, and has said to them and us don't you dare put that back in me no matter what.

The problem is.. they have still said if it's to save her life they will still put the tube in her if they feel they need to. I don't know anything about how to go around this, what she needs to do or sign or whatever to make sure they can't do that, she's scared to be in there and to be left alone at all because she does NOT want that to happen again. What is there that any of us can do to prevent her getting intubated again?? She's conscious enough to talk clearly and is capable of writing.

edited because I realized its intubate and not incubate

edit #2 to update: i went back at night and was able to request a palliative care doctor who was a different one than her daytime doctor through the night shift nurses (who also said she also made it very clear to them the whole time she did not want intubation no matter what). The nurses assured me they would not do that to her knowing how strongly she's against it, and the palliative care doctor was MUCH nicer and more understanding than the one during the day. She talked to my mother with me, made sure she understood exactly what she was asking, confirmed she did not want any form of lifesaving care, and since she was on anxiety medication and lightly sedated from it verified that I was her next of kin and in charge of affairs (my mother also confirmed I was the only one to make any decisions for her). She got me the paperwork to fill out, and a DNR is now in place and my mother is extremely relieved.

submitted by /u/LazuriKittie
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