In the Midst of Life

life.’
    ‘Don’tbe so beastly. You just want her out of the way.’
    Miss Jenner interrupted. ‘Please. You can settle your differences elsewhere.’
    Jamie looked furious. ‘I don’t want her “out of the way”, as you put it. I just want what is best for her.’
    ‘And you think it’s best for her to die? You … you
    She turned to Miss Jenner. ‘Please, oh please try’
    ‘I cannot guarantee a successful outcome, and therefore I am reluctant to operate,’ the surgeon said.
    ‘What is the balance in favour?’ asked Priscilla.
    ‘I would say about fifty-fifty Not more.’
    ‘Then it must be attempted.’
    ‘No,’ said Jamie, ‘It would be going too far. Why are you so keen on a second operation, Priscilla, when it is against medical advice?’
    ‘I am not “keen”, as you put it. I merely say that if an operation can relieve the pressure on her brain and save our mother’s life, then it must be done. To do nothing, and allow her to die, would show indifference or negligence, which I cannot allow.’
    ‘Priscilla, you are so sensible. We must do all we can for Mummy.’ Maggie turned to Miss Jenner. ‘Don’t listen to Jamie. He doesn’t understand. We can’t just allow Mummy to die.’
    Miss Jenner replied, ‘Your mother is going to die anyway. An operation will only delay death.’
    ‘That’s what I’ve been trying to say, Maggie, only you won’t listen. And it’s the reason why I don’t think it should be attempted. We must do what’s best for her. I appeal to you, Miss Jenner.’
    ‘Be quiet, Jamie. Don’t listen to him, Miss Jenner.’ Maggie was sobbing again. ‘Mummy could get better. It’s quite possible. She has been improving every day this week. I have seen it. She can nearly talk – at least, I can understand her, even if you can’t. We must do all we can for her.’
    Priscilla spoke again. ‘If a second operation holds any chance of survival, then it must be done. I cannot have it on my conscience that, when my mother was seriously ill, I stood by and did nothing. I am not even sure about the
legal
rectitude of non-intervention.’
    Jamie,tight-lipped, said, ‘I think you are wrong, both of you. It will only impose more suffering on her.’
    Priscilla said, stiffly. ‘I am confident the hospital staff will be able to reduce any suffering to the minimum. It is a simple matter: if a life can be saved, it must be saved, and a fifty per cent chance of survival is worth taking. She has been a good mother to us all, and we owe it to her.’
    She turned to Miss Jenner and me.
    ‘I want it recorded that I request a second operation on my mother, to relieve the congestion on her brain. If you will get a consent for operation form, I will sign it now.’
    I glanced at Miss Jenner and she nodded her head. I went to the office and returned with the necessary form and filled it in, ready for signature. Miss Jenner did not say a word, but left the room. Priscilla and Maggie signed, Jamie refused to do so.
    When I returned to the office, Miss Jenner was sitting with her head in her hands. Poor woman – she had had a full morning in theatre, had another clinic in the afternoon – endless responsibilities – and now this. She looked drained.
    ‘There is something formidable about that woman. She is relentless in her logic, but she is wrong, in my opinion. Logic is a bad master. She may be right legally, but she is wrong morally and ethically. I’m sure of that.’
    ‘Her last words sounded like a threat,’ I said.
    ‘They were.’
    ‘Can anyone threaten a consultant? Surely a consultant’s opinion must be respected?’
    She laughed, pulled off her theatre cap, and ran her fingers through her hair.
    ‘Not any more. Medicine is changing fast. Professional expertise and experience are no longer enough. Now we have the law breathing down our necks.’
    ‘That doesn’t sound too promising for medicine.’
    ‘No it is not. But you heard her words – “if it can be done, it must be done”. I don’t agree – I think it is a question of balanceand restraint, but if it came to a court of law, my professional opinion would count for very little.’
    ‘A court of law?’ I exclaimed in alarm.
    ‘Perhaps not a civil court, but the BMA have their own tribunals, and they have unlimited power to make or break a doctor’s career.’
    ‘Surely you don’t think Priscilla would sue you, or anything like that?’
    ‘No, I don’t, it would be out of character. But her