A Death in the Family

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Who Decides Violet's Fate?
By Moira McMahon, Researcher

In the Season Three Premiere, A Death in the Family, Pete and Naomi discover Violet semi-paralyzed, unconscious and bleeding from a gaping wound in her abdomen. Miraculously, Violet is still alive after Katie cut her baby out and took off.

Violet is rushed into surgery. Addison works to save her life, but she's losing blood faster than they can replace transfuse it in. Naomi's ready to do a hysterectomy to stop the bleeding. But Addison's not sure that taking away Violet's ability to carry a child is right.

Addison can either take out her uterus, saving Violet right now, or take more time and save her uterus. If they don't act fast, one way or the other, Violet will die.

The person who should make the decision is Violet—but she's unconscious. If you haven't designated a Healthcare Power of Attorney—your "medical decision maker "—the doctor asks for a consensus from the people who are closest to the patient. You hope that everyone agrees, but it's not always the case.

Fighting against the clock, Addison goes to Violet's family—the people who love her: Pete, Sheldon and Cooper. Pete and Sheldon agree with Naomi—save Violet no matter what. But Cooper wants Addison to take the risk and save Violet's uterus. He knows that Violet would want the choice to have another child.

Addison trusts Cooper and goes back in to risk Violet's life to save her uterus.

Did Addison do the right thing? What would YOU do in Addison's shoes?

QUESTION ONE:
Should Addison have put Violet's life in further jeopardy by saving her uterus just because Cooper said so?

1. YES – Cooper knows what Violet would want.
2. NO – Addison should have done the safest procedure.

QUESTION TWO:
Do you have someone designated as your medical decision maker?

1. YES – you never know what could happen.
2. NO – I just hope I never need one!