World's oldest mother reveals she is dying... just 18 months after IVF birth age

[debk]

There are cut off points in scientific advancements for me. I would NEVER use the "choose the gender of your child" advancement that is in place now, however, God gave us doctors and scientists, and there are some scientists that do believe in God. It can be a slippery slope, and caution should always be used. Having said that, I am thankful for medical advancements and scientific advancements. One medical advancement saved my life, and I am sure many many have stories of being saved by it. I am not sure about the cloning. It seems like a terrible idea until my child needs a heart transplant, or what have you. I certainly don't want another me walking around, that is messed up, but I can see the plusses too. It is about where you draw the line morally I guess. Morally FOR ME, I couldn't fathom bringing a child into this world at such an old age.

Has anybody ever read....or seen the movie....My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult? It was written in 2004. I read it for a book cllub I was in.

It's about a 13yo girl who's parents had her, after her sister was diagnosed with cancer, as a very young child, in order to get her bone marrow.

It's a gut-wrenching book, I haven't been able to watch the movie, but I think it's running on tv now, Runnin' Buddy said she watched it the other night.

The doctors told the parents that the best way to save their daughter was to have another child as that child's umbilical cord could be used to save the existing daughter. Then it was the younger daughter's blood that was wanted, then bone marrow, then a kidney. It was never-ending.

We've all read about parents who have had another child to save an existing child.

I not only can't imagine being in that situation....I honestly don't know what I would do.

Is it morally wrong to do anything you possibly can to save your child?

Is it wrong to put one child in the position of saving another?

Science can do it to save your child...how far are you willing to go to save your child?

We had quite a lively discussion at book club...half of the women had children, half had never had - nor will give birth to their own child. We finally decided it was impossible to say what we would do, as none of us, had ever been in the position - nor ever will be (we're all too old) - to have to make that type of decision. We did all agree though that we would give anything of ourselves to save one of our own, even if it meant dying ourself.

[Hawkgirl]

Having another child to essentially be an "organ donor" is wrong in my opinion.   I would give anything of myself for my child.  But to bring in another person in this world, simply as a back-up is horrific in my opinion.  It's as horrific as cloning.  
I hope this book you read was fictitious....This is on the same level of Munchausen's syndrome.  You may not be causing the child harm for attention, but you are causing the child harm.  Imagine if one was to find out their sole reason of existence is to donate body parts (including blood, bone marrow) to another?

OMG...the more I think about this, the more scary it is.

[soleil]

Has anybody ever read....or seen the movie....My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult? It was written in 2004. I read it for a book cllub I was in.

It's about a 13yo girl who's parents had her, after her sister was diagnosed with cancer, as a very young child, in order to get her bone marrow.

It's a gut-wrenching book, I haven't been able to watch the movie, but I think it's running on tv now, Runnin' Buddy said she watched it the other night.

The doctors told the parents that the best way to save their daughter was to have another child as that child's umbilical cord could be used to save the existing daughter. Then it was the younger daughter's blood that was wanted, then bone marrow, then a kidney. It was never-ending.

We've all read about parents who have had another child to save an existing child.

I not only can't imagine being in that situation....I honestly don't know what I would do.

Is it morally wrong to do anything you possibly can to save your child?

Is it wrong to put one child in the position of saving another?

Science can do it to save your child...how far are you willing to go to save your child?

We had quite a lively discussion at book club...half of the women had children, half had never had - nor will give birth to their own child. We finally decided it was impossible to say what we would do, as none of us, had ever been in the position - nor ever will be (we're all too old) - to have to make that type of decision. We did all agree though that we would give anything of ourselves to save one of our own, even if it meant dying ourself.

I never saw the movie, but I did know the basis of it. What a terrible and tough decision to make. I can't say what I would do. My baby is my world, and I would do anything to save her if it ever came to be. Desperation makes people do desperate things. It doesn't seem right to have another baby just to save another's life, however, like you said, how can you ever really say what you would do unless you are faced with it yourself. I'd like to think it was my baby's time to go as terrible and tragic as that sounds. I pray to God I am never ever faced with such. I can't even imagine.

I do know that watching my mother and father lose their very young 24 year old son while I was only 18 made me realize that the love of a parent is almost like no other love. I can imagine my mom would have done damn near anything to bring him back. Selfish? Maybe, but it is human nature. I am blessed to know that love myself now. I love my baby girl with all of my being. It is a wonderful and scary love.

[debk]

Having another child to essentially be an "organ donor" is wrong in my opinion.   I would give anything of myself for my child.  But to bring in another person in this world, simply as a back-up is horrific in my opinion.  It's as horrific as cloning.  
I hope this book you read was fictitious....This is on the same level of Munchausen's syndrome.  You may not be causing the child harm for attention, but you are causing the child harm.  Imagine if one was to find out their sole reason of existence is to donate body parts (including blood, bone marrow) to another?

OMG...the more I think about this, the more scary it is.

The book itself is fiction....but people do have children in order to save an existing child. Have been doing so for years.

I don't know if you've ever read any of Picoult's books, but they are extremely thought provoking. I've also read
Nineteen Minutes, about a high school shooting. They are the type of book that you really want to discuss with someone else, and are frequently used in book clubs because of that.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards is another one of those that make you think about choices. It's about twins that are born and one has Down's - back in the early '60's, and progresses 30+ years. It's fiction, and really reflects how times have changed. 

[MrsSmith]

This is a sticky wicket for me.  Does one except what God has put in place or allow Science to help-.

I watched the trial of parents that allowed their son at 16 to die as they prayed over him.  The young man refused medical help as he wanted the acceptance of his parents and church that would have frowned on him getting medical help.

Nature said yes he must die but science could have saved him.   I am still upset over this thinking.

Some woman can conseve at the age of 50, strange but who would have thunk it.

I am reminded of the Bible story of a woman who never could conseve a child, at the age of 88 or so she gave her husband permission to in pregnant her servant.   The slave gave birth to a son, then at the age of 90 she the wife became pregnant and also gave birth to a son----All hell broke out after that, both sons wanting to become heir , something about one of them tricking the father into giving rights to the slaves son.----OH MY.    Some how a bowl of porridge came into all this drama.


   

But, in this case, the conception DID happen naturally.  If Sarah and Abraham had been completely obedient, Isaac would have been the only son.  God knew what Isaac's future was...and how long he would have his parents.  When we take God's decisions into our own hands, we mess things up.  You know the verse that says the father's sins will carry down onto the third and fourth generation?  Our mistakes fall upon our children and grandchildren, sometimes heavier than they fall upon ourselves.  When it's obvious that an action is going to harm your child, a parent should not take that action.

[Hawkgirl]

The book itself is fiction....but people do have children in order to save an existing child. Have been doing so for years.

I am so naive at some things.

[bkg]

I am so naive at some things.

Can you imaging being told "the only reason we had you was because we wanted your body to save your sibling..."???

[Hawkgirl]

Can you imaging being told "the only reason we had you was because we wanted your body to save your sibling..."???

It brings child abuse to a level I never knew existed.

[Hawkgirl]

I am all for organ donation...in the unfortunate event of death...or even voluntarily giving a kidney to a sibling....or giving blood(something I do).    I understand a parent wants to do everything they can to prevent the death of a child...but I don't think it is morally correct for a parent to do so if it infringes upon the rights of another child.

[soleil]

Can you imaging being told "the only reason we had you was because we wanted your body to save your sibling..."???

I certainly can't imagine that. But having lost a sibling at an early age (not child early, but 18 nonetheless), I would have given whatever I could've to save him if it were a possibility.

People have children for the wrong reasons all of the time. It is a shame. There is then the whole issue of whether a parent should be able to consent to give such organs, etc., on behalf of a child who may not fully understand the consequences. Definitely a very slippery slope morally and otherwise.

Again, I am thankful, at least as of this point, that is something I will NEVER have to consider. I've said it many times, and yes I will say it again. Desperate people do desperate things.

[debk]

Can you imaging being told "the only reason we had you was because we wanted your body to save your sibling..."???

I doubt that a parent would come right out and say that - at least most wouldn't - but I would think the child would eventually figure it out for themself.

[bkg]

I am all for organ donation...in the unfortunate event of death...or even voluntarily giving a kidney to a sibling....or giving blood(something I do).    I understand a parent wants to do everything they can to prevent the death of a child...but I don't think it is morally correct for a parent to do so if it infringes upon the rights of another child.

We definitely agree on this. Unfortunately, our gov't doesn't...