NPR

Should Eye Surgeons Fulfill A Dying Man's Wish To See His Family?

An eye doctor was surprised when some of her colleagues questioned whether a man dying of cancer should have cataract surgery. Was it justified when he could "use" those new lenses just a few weeks?
Source: Nicole Xu for NPR

Vincent Thomas had battled multiple myeloma for quite some time and gone through countless treatments and drug regimens, which weren't stopping his cancer. He and his family made the decision to go on hospice care.

The thing was, his eyesight had failed him. He had significant cataracts, or clouding of the lenses, in both eyes. He couldn't see his family, he couldn't drive himself to his doctor's appointments, and this once-fiercely independent man had to learn to depend on others just to cut his food.

He wanted to see his family before he died.

"He was a really hands-on type of person," his daughter, India Haashim,

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readAmerican Government
The House Plans To Hold Separate Votes On Aid For Israel And Ukraine After Delays
Aid for Israel became more urgent after the weekend's attack, House Speaker Mike Johnson said. After months of delays, he is also putting forward a bill that provide additional aid to Ukraine.
NPR3 min readInternational Relations
Iran's Leaders Insist The Attack Against Israel Was A 'Victory'
Iranian officials have heaped praise on the attack, with a top lawmaker saying that "it humiliated the Israeli regime." But Israel says 99% of Iran's missiles and drones were intercepted.
NPR3 min readAmerican Government
What To Know About Iran's Strike On Israel; Jury Selection Begins For Trump Trial
Iran strikes Israel in retaliation for an attack that killed top Iranian officers at an Iranian consulate in Syria. Former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to begin Monday in New York.

Related Books & Audiobooks