# Would you get the surgery? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037 "2017-07-24T15:56:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/21 "2017-07-24T20:18:01Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I think you’d find a number of disabled people who disagree. What exactly does that imply about _their_ lives? Did you not read the OP? They didn’t ask what I think YOU should do. Did you not see the word “ **personally** ” in my post? I don’t give a shit what you or someone else thinks about my answer. I wasn’t tasked with answering for _everyone_. I’m not about to say what you or someone else would do. I’m not implying shit about shit. I’m just answering the OP. Jeeszh. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/22 "2017-07-24T20:44:24Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I think you’d find a number of disabled people who disagree. What exactly does that imply about _their_ lives? Every life is sacred and I’d be happy for anyone who is strong enough to live a fulfilled life in whatever circumstances they find themselves in. I hope I would have that strength too, but examining the hypothetical, I suspect I wouldn’t be that strong and I would prefer death. Especially dying painlessly under anesthestic. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/23 "2017-07-24T20:46:27Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > Did you not read the OP? They didn’t ask what I think YOU should do. Did you not see the word “ **personally** ” in my post? I don’t give a shit what you or someone else thinks about my answer. I wasn’t tasked with answering for _everyone_. I’m not about to say what you or someone else would do. > > I’m not implying shit about shit. I’m just answering the OP. Jeeszh. I’m not meaning to single you out in particular, but your assertion that, for you, ‘‘being paraplegic is a fate worse than death’’ is also the underlying assumption of the OP. This is an assumption that warrants critique, reflection, consideration, critical thinking, whatever, for what should be obvious reasons. There’s nothing wrong with pushing back on that idea. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/24 "2017-07-24T20:57:48Z")
Thanks for that, **Spice Weasel**. I felt attacked and charged forth. In the interest of discussion, I’ve got a long list of things worse than death and I’d think there’s a fair number of them on the list before you ever get to paraplegic. There’s some days when I’d take my death over someone else’s suffering. There are days I’d die for a certain cause, too. I’m not completely insensitive. Life is okay and many/most days life is great. But I don’t value it -alone- above all other possibilities. We each have our own value systems, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/25 "2017-07-24T21:06:07Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > Thanks for that, **Spice Weasel**. I felt attacked and charged forth. In the interest of discussion, I’ve got a long list of things worse than death and I’d think there’s a fair number of them on the list before you ever get to paraplegic. There’s some days when I’d take my death over someone else’s suffering. There are days I’d die for a certain cause, too. I’m not completely insensitive. Life is okay and many/most days life is great. But I don’t value it -alone- above all other possibilities. We each have our own value systems, of course. I guess there are all sorts of tragedies that could befall a person that would seem worse than death in our imagination. Losing my husband and (hypothetical) children, for example. Enduring the Holocaust. But people in general tend to be incredibly resilient and adaptable. I think one of my biggest fears, ever, is being burned alive. But somehow or other I got hooked into following [this guy’s story](http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/severely-burned-officers-family-raises-awareness-of-fire-safety/) on his Dad’s Facebook page, and I realized, shit, people can even overcome that. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/26 "2017-07-24T21:23:13Z")
Change it to quadriplegic and it’s a no-brainer. Paraplegic, I’d have to think long and hard about it. Change the odds to ~20% death and I’d probably choose surgery. 50% as indicated in the OP is just too damn hard to choose. I’d certainly _consider_ it, but I’d need to be closer to that situation to make a decision for sure. And I’m certainly not making a statement on disabled people either way. It’s a very personal decision and doesn’t reflect my view of other people at all. Just my own self. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/27 "2017-07-24T21:32:16Z")
Damn, this is a hard one. I think I’d go for the surgery, not so much for my sake but so that others weren’t obligated to help care for me. Without my legs I could still do a lot with my hands, though, so…damn. If it was quadreplegia I’d go for it if it was one chance out or four. I wouldn’t want to live not being unable to move my arms and legs. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/28 "2017-07-24T21:37:49Z")
It would depend on the extent of the paralysis. Paraplegic doesn’t necessarily mean complete paralysis. I don’t remember the percentage, but in the film “Murderball” they explained that to qualify as quadriplegic there’s a certain percentage of movement that the person needs to be below. The athletes competing at quad ball still had enough movement to operate manual wheel chairs. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/29 "2017-07-24T21:40:35Z")
Would it change things for those of you who wouldn’t get the surgery if it was more than just the inability to walk? Frankly, I thought of the sex (or inability to have it as a male) and the issues with incontinence and associated issues. I had a paraplegic friend and he had these issues after a really bad ski accident, and, frankly, I think he would have jumped at the chance of surgery with a 50/50 chance of either cure or death…especially since he ended up taking his own life after only about 5 years after the accident. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/30 "2017-07-24T21:43:33Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > You bet. I live in a 2nd-floor walkup, so a wheelchair wouldn’t work for me. > > More seriously, I’m diabetic, and I feel like I’ve already lived a full life. Over the next couple decades, I’m looking at a possibly horrific medical deterioration, and 50% chance of a clean ending now is actually one of the better ways for me to end up going. I’m not diabetic but I too am looking at the possibility of significant deterioration kicking in along with increasing levels of pain and loss of functioning in the coming years…all this with no family left at all to give a shit. I like the idea of the clean ending as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/31 "2017-07-24T22:36:37Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I think you set up the ideal situation. Life numbing situation with the risk of ending it all vs full restoration. On first breath I’d say most would opt for the miracle treatment. > > But disability does go through cycles and is very hard at first, but some seem to have overcome this initial state and seem to love life to the point that they may not opt for such a risk. Exactly! I don’t know how many people I’ve seen enter into a wheelchair dependent life thinking that their only hope for a happy life is to “beat” their injury and walk again. Also, suicidal ideations are common in the aftermath of such an injury. While I am all about letting someone handle their life as they see fit, I absolutely think making a life or death decision in such a precarious time is wrong. I seriously contemplated suicide in the first couple of years post-injury. Suffice to say, I’m so glad I didn’t. > [@somepumpkin](#): > > Without question, I’m in. There’s a lot of things worse than death and I, personally, assume/imagine that being paraplegic would be one of them. You know, I think I shared such an opinion before such an injury became my reality. It’s why I _hate_ these types of hypotheticals; the answer you give in a hypothetical is an answer made in total ignorance. When it’s your life and not a hypothetical, it’s amazing what one can adapt to. > [@gigi](#): > > Every life is sacred and I’d be happy for anyone who is strong enough to live a fulfilled life in whatever circumstances they find themselves in. I hope I would have that strength too, but examining the hypothetical, I suspect I wouldn’t be that strong and I would prefer death. Especially dying painlessly under anesthestic. Honestly, you have no idea until it happens to you. I think speculation as to how you’d respond in such a situation is next to meaningless. > [@XT](#): > > Frankly, I thought of the sex (or inability to have it as a male) and the issues with incontinence and associated issues. I had a paraplegic friend and he had these issues after a really bad ski accident, and, frankly, I think he would have jumped at the chance of surgery with a 50/50 chance of either cure or death…especially since he ended up taking his own life after only about 5 years after the accident. ☹ Keep in mind, spinal cord injury is an incredibly person-specific injury. I cannot move my legs from the hips down but I have zero incontinence issues, don’t use a catheter and have full sensation and a fully working penis. So a spinal cord injury doesn’t necessarily need to include such dysfunction. ETA: As to answering the OP, um, no. No I wouldn’t have the surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/32 "2017-07-24T22:46:22Z")
Where do I sign up for the exoskeleton? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/33 "2017-07-24T22:47:39Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Where do I sign up for the exoskeleton? Personally, I’d rather not look like RoboCrip. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/34 "2017-07-24T22:55:08Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > So let’s say you’ve been in an accident that has left you paraplegic. The doctor has an experimental surgery that may allow you to walk and function normally but the surgery has a 50% chance of killing you. Would you do it? If not how bad off do you have to be to say yes? Yes, and if it did not work, please up the killing chance to 100% ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/35 "2017-07-24T23:04:26Z")
Paraplegic? Nope. But if I were paralyzed from the neck down, I would probably do it. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/36 "2017-07-24T23:26:54Z")
Another point in the “pro” column, that I don’t think was mentioned yet, is the opportunity to further the progress of medicine and potentially help thousands who come after you. No matter the outcome, that has to be a comforting thought. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/37 "2017-07-24T23:33:37Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > E\ > You know, I think I shared such an opinion before such an injury became my reality. It’s why I _hate_ these types of hypotheticals; the answer you give in a hypothetical is an answer made in total ignorance. When it’s your life and not a hypothetical, it’s amazing what one can adapt to. You’re right. It’s very easy for me to say, especially on a message board. I could imagine that it’d be different if i was actually IN that situation. I sincerely didn’t mean to sound insensitive to anyone. Perhaps I should have _treaded_ a little more lightly. I’m also a risk-taker, and that’s influencing my decision on this hypothetical. Maybe that’s the card I should have played. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/38 "2017-07-24T23:42:16Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > You’re right. It’s very easy for me to say, especially on a message board. I could imagine that it’d be different if i was actually IN that situation. I sincerely didn’t mean to sound insensitive to anyone. Perhaps I should have _treaded_ a little more lightly. > > I’m also a risk-taker, and that’s influencing my decision on this hypothetical. Maybe that’s the card I should have played. Oh, no I took no offense or anything. I don’t consider it to have been an insensitive comment, you were just telling the truth, as you see it now. I am just saying, from experience, that it’s an entirely different scenario when it’s your **life** at stake. We have a drive to stay alive and this drive is incredibly difficult to diffuse. You take your life and that’s it. Just nothing. No pain or heartache from living with the injury, sure, but no happiness, love or beauty either. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/39 "2017-07-25T01:38:37Z")
I wouldn’t take the chance. A lot of the things I enjoy in life don’t involve the need for functioning legs. No way I’m risking a 50/50 shot at dying just to regain the use of my legs. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/40 "2017-07-25T02:51:53Z")
No, I wouldn’t. I think I could adapt in time, just as several people I’ve known have. If I were instead to go totally blind, however, I _would_ opt for a cure with even odds of killing me because I don’t think I could adapt to that in a meaningful enough way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037.md?page=3)