JW’s Horror At Facing Blood IssueFree Minds Journal, vol.11, no.5, sep/oct 1992Dear Friends, My husband and I have been reading the book entitled Witnesses of Jehovah, and have been enlightened by it, but yet have so many questions. The reason that I am writing to you is because we have been faced with a very urgent matter which we need help and consolation in making a crucial “life and death” decision. We have been studying together with the Witnesses for over three years, but have not made our dedication or baptism because too many matters have been left uncertain in our minds. But now we are expecting our third child in mid-September and have been faced with the “Blood issue”. I have RH-(B-) blood and was given a Rhogam shot after our last son’s birth. Apparently the dosage of Rhogam was not enough to prevent my blood from being sensitized. As a result, our baby of 20 weeks is being exposed to antibodies and damage level to the baby is rising. We are seeing a perinatologist (high risk) and he is suggesting an intro-uterine transfusion at 23 weeks to prevent hemolytic anemia to the baby. If left untreated, this may lead to stillbirth, brain damage or death after birth. The alternative is to take the baby at 32 weeks and deal with the prematurity risks and blood disease possibly. My husband and I are very excited about this new baby. We have watched our VCR copy of the ultrasound over and over again. After seeing such a beautiful new life, we cannot bear to think of losing it by choice. Are we wrong in making the sensible decision? Are we lacking that much faith? Wouldn’t God want the best for this new life? It’s all so confusing. If we decide to go with a transfusion (of less than 200cc), we will no longer be associated with by the Witnesses and have no “church” to go to for spiritual guidance. I can’t believe we’ve been faced with this decision. Is this a test of our faith? Will we fail? We both feel in our hearts that we cannot take the NO BLOOD stand and watch our baby die. Would God want us to do this? Will we risk all of our lives by making the wrong decision? We have experienced how many brothers and sisters in the congregations are waiting for the new system to have their children, mainly to save them the hassle and burden of them while out in the door-to-door service. We both disagree with this attitude as we think our children are precious in every aspect. The congregation would not understand the heart-felt concern we have for this baby, as they feel this should be an easy decision. I can’t help but feel the guilt when I read at Acts 15:28,29 to “abstain from blood.” Is this really this kind of interpretation - no transfusions or just no “drinking/eating” of blood? If we choose to deny the transfusion, are we going to find out later that it was not meant that way and regret that we gave up our baby’s life? Or maybe the Witnesses may change their interpretation and accept blood in five or ten years down the road? I guess I’m feeling desperate to justify my actions with God. Please help. Sincerely,
ANONYMOUS
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