Most debates on futility considerations revolve around mechanical feeding and ventilation. If I had a dime for every time I heard “feeding tube” and “futility” in the same sentence, I would be laughing at my student loan by now. This is why I was compelled to share this little nugget of everyday life with you.

One of my friends suffers from a degenerative disease that attacks her muscle tissues. She has difficulty feeding herself since her caloric intake is entirely consumed by her degenerating muscle mass. I recently asked her husband how she is doing this winter (the cold season is never a happy time for people who have a hard time breathing) and he got really excited telling me about her new feeding tube. She gets all these extra calories with the push of a syringe; she’s getting better colour and putting on weight. She hasn’t been that sick at all this winter.

Quality of life improved by feeding assistance… Think about it, it happens.