I remember meeting a patient during my (4 day) adult placement in my first year. She had attempted suicide, not for the first time, and had been rescutitated and is now permanently hospitalised. She suffered brain damage that has left her unable to talk, unable to move and is oxygen dependent via her trachaeostomy. And it really makes you wonder... For who's benefit do we "save" these patients? To make ourselves feel good that we saved a life? For the family? Or for the patient? Look... I'm not even out of my training and I've become cynical! It's hard to predict the outcome and what the right thing is to do, and right by whom (or possibly even who!). It makes you consider what you would want were you in the patient's situation. I'm still troubled by the memory of this patient 2 years on, and I met her only briefly. I know that I will be faced with similar dilemmas in my future career choice (A&E nursing). By the way, received your book in the post this morning, looking forward to tucking into bed with it tonight.