Do you have an Advance Directive: Living Will?

My grandmother lived on a respirator for 5 months, they told us it would only be a week or so after her heart surgery, she died on it. And in the mean time we saw the real horrors of a respirator. My husband knows I'd rather die then to live on one. I want no machines forcing my body to do something unnatural, like living after God has called an end to my life.

 

SheEagle:

Very good information for all. Thank you.

Yes, both wife and I have living wills, hand-written, notarized and in safe storage, with copies in the hands of both our daughters.

We went a step further and the children have already decided what is theirs upon our demise. My remaining library goes to a Bible College, my personal files are to be destroyed (those files with information about church members down through the years). Files pertaining to the scriptures go with my books, including all my academic papers.

No heroics is a part of our wishes, cremation and no funeral services. Organs may be used,,,,,,,but they are old, and well worn.

Cheers, and again, thank you,

Jim

 

Yes . . . though I've updated it since I first wrote it. It's executed and notarized, and I've got a copy at home, with my attorney and my parents have one.

Mine's actually pretty similar to yours, SheEagle.

I've also got files marked for destruction (and description of same in my instructions).

Further . . . cremation, memorial service (to be held at the discretion of family) in the manner of Friends.

And I'm an organ donor.

My parents thouht I was nuts when I did all this. I mean, what kid writes a living will when they're 18, right? But I can't know the future, and there are some things I feel very strongly about. I certainly don't want to be hooked up to machinery to live out my days vegetatively.

My mother is my agent, and although she's not thrilled with some of my decisions (as my mother, she's not too keen on the idea of "letting me die") she's agreed to act as my agent and do as I wish. I love her so much!

 

I did, but nulled it because I didn't trust the person with power of attorney wouldn't take it too far and have me killed off over a paper cut or something.
I may redo it when the kids are of legal age. In the meantime, if something happens I'm fighting all the way, there's always that chance of a miracle.
Gina

 

No...but I have told the two people who would be in the power to decide anything on my behalf: No heroic measures are to be made to keep me alive (D.N.R.), and that my organs are to be donated to help save anyone who is in need.

 

Does this mean that you would want a feeding tube? My doctor explained that people can live many years on a feeding tube.

Thanks for the info.

Jim1999, I prefer the no ceremony also. ( I haven't decided on cremation) My late husband was cremated and no funeral service. To me, it was so much easier, but our pastor's wife said that one should have a funeral so that the pastor can preach the plan of salvation to any family members who might not be saved. She has a point there.

 

There's a point there, yes, but that's not why people go. Most services I've been to that preach salvation leave the non-Christian mourners I know with sour tastes in their mouths. They feel used, like they went to mourn and had the old bait and switch pulled on them.

Not saying that it shouldn't be done, just a sentiment I've heard repeatedly.

 

After our recent experience my husband and I both redid our will and I am in the process of writing what I want at my memorial service...the music, what readings, what pictures and personal items. I don't want anyone speaking about me who didn't know me personally. And I will write what will be said in regards to salvation.

When all is said and done, though, we don't have a lot of control over what's done with us or said about us when we die. But it's sort of a non issue anyway.

 

Living Wills should encourage family members to talk about tough situations before they happen.
Living Wills can be overruled by family members who disagree with them in emergency situations because the physicians do not want to be caught between differing opinions and the very real posibility of lawsuits.

I've worked in critical care units for decades. I once though that I would never want to be place on a resperator; that changed however when I had a acute case of asthma. Situations and feelings about these tough issues change as we experence them. What we feel may be obvious now; A strong conviction about life support frequently becomes less firm when reality hits.

While I'm all for supporting living wills, please realize that in these situations sometime the best course of action is to insure that your family members are communining with God, searching His will regarding the matter before them (and you).

 

Thank you for reminding me. I need to get on the
stick and take care of this. At my age, it is no
longer a laughing matter--it is needful.

(Gina, YOU are SO funny!! What would we be like
without you?)

 

Just a reminder that each state determines the legality of each of these documents, so you must find out what is legal and binding in your state. DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) procedures vary in each state. As an EMT I must see a necklace or bracelet or have written doctors orders in hand to enforce a DNR order.

In Wisconsin the "Living Will" is not legally enforcable, and you must have a Health Care Power of Attorney. However, that form is easily obtainable from the state and can simply be filled out with personal witnesses.

As a pastor who has had to deal with families in this situation it is always easier to plan ahead and make decisions before anything happens.

 

A doctor explained to me that one does not starve to death without the feeding tube because the vital organs will shut down before one would starve to death.

Most doctors will see to it that the patient is comfortable and not suffer, if possible.

SueEagle911
I was just curious since you said that you did not want life support. I am assuming you mean mechanical means.

Many times, these things do have to be decided on a case by case basis.

Thank you for answering my question.