Discussions

Do you have a living will?

Posted by FaithfulinPrayer • 8/31/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: healthcare reform, living will

With all the hoopla about end-of-life counseling in the healthcare bill, I wanted to know what people think about living wills.

User Comments

8/31/09

Hayseed

Absolutely. With a cancer diagnosis seven years ago, it became more important than ever. I also chose my ex-husband and his wife to be executors of a newly-updated will and gave them a CD copy of all important documents. A duplicate of that CD is in my safe, with document originals.

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8/31/09

FaithfulinPrayer

I glad to hear that. It is so important to have everything in order so our children and family are not overwhelmed when our time comes someday. I didn't realize how important until my mother passed. She had everything so well organized.

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1. 9/01/09
  
  Hayseed
  
  Advance preparation is a gift to your loved ones. Hooray for your Mom's organizational skills!
8/31/09

melindaville

It's a really good idea--not only for you but for your loved ones. Then they don't have to make tough decisions wondering if that's what you really wanted--the living will makes it clear.

I do not want to be on life support and I do not want to be resuscitated if it looks like I will be badly damaged mentally. I'd rather go peacefully into whatever happens next. I also want to make sure that my organs are donated to either people who need them or science. And finally, I want to make sure that I am cremated since I have an irrational fear of being buried alive!

I teach a class in human development and all my students create a living will for their last assignment. Most of them tell me how glad they are that they got around to doing this.

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8/31/09

nothingprofound

No-but I should. I guess I think I'm going to live forever or I'm just too lazy or irresponsible.

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8/31/09

timethief

Yes and I have posted comments into similar threads previously. If you are interested in reading them you will find them by using the Discussion searchbox in the sidebar -->

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8/31/09

maccasenior

Making a living will has been in the back of my mind for sometime, especially when seeing others anguish over the decision whether to continue life support by way of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the hope that their family member will recover or to allow “Not for Resuscitation” (NFR) measures after being informed that any attempt to prolong life would be either futile or not justified taking into account the patient’s prognosis.

This decision is made even harder when the family member concerned has left no instructions as to what is to happen in such an event.

Recently I have made a living will that frees my family from having to make that decision. I hope this advanced care directive will be respected when the time comes.

Simply put, my “living will”, will have documented that if a senior doctor considers resuscitation on me useless, no attempt should be made.

Why did I make this decision? Good question. There are a number of factors involved in making this decision.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel getting closer:

Yes, even though 50 something is the new 30, I realise my use-by date is rapidly getting closer. Touch wood, as I’m still in good health and being sound of mind, I know it’s best to have made this decision now while I’m still able to.

My first hand experiences with life and death measures within and outside a hospital:

Knowing what I know, I don’t want to have to experience first hand what I’ve seen others go through when faced with death or living a life with absolutely no quality of life.

The only other thing I deem prudent in regards to this decision is that palliative care measures such as pain relief and basic patient care are to be carried out in order to free me from any discomfort.

I believe the right to live or die decision should totally lie in my hands:

And so it should be! As to live entombed within a lifeless body is one of my greatest fears.

Please take note that my views here are not advocating pro-euthanasia, as this is simply not the case. It is just my simple wish to die with dignity, unencumbered by someone else’s well intentioned decision making and to be remembered for what we were and not what we have become at the hands of others.

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8/31/09

exit2013

I have nothing to leave to anyone anyway!

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1. 9/01/09
  
  Hayseed
  
  @ Exit .. Living Wills are designed to let your family and health care providers know your preferences on extended life support, resuscitation, and other extreme medical measures. It can also list your willingness to be an organ donor, your preference for cremation or burial and similar end-of-life choices.
  
  Thus, 'Living Will' and 'Last Will & Testament' (which involves distribution of assets) serve different purposes.
9/01/09

Agit8r

I'll just let the Death Panel decide

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1. 9/01/09
  
  exit2013
  
  Oh...no!