In January of 2022, my father went to the hospital because of low oxygen levels. A CT scan confirmed a pulmonary embolism. Upon admission, he was alert and oriented and communicated with me continuously via text messages.
What followed was surreal and unlike anything I have ever experienced. Communication with my father stopped shortly after he was admitted. I struggled to obtain information. I watched his MyChart account constantly for updates. When I was finally able to speak to a nurse, I requested no interventions occur without discussing with me first per my father’s request. Despite this request, I received a call that the hospital had intubated him. I requested that the ventilator be discontinued, but my request was denied. My father never would have consented to a ventilator.