Wishing you and your family a Happy and Merry Christmas
Living Will
Making a living will has been in the back of my mind for sometime now, 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.
For the record I have decided to make 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 make this decision now? 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 make 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.
To be continued...
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.
For the record I have decided to make 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 make this decision now? 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 make 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.
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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.
To be continued...
17 comments - care to make one?:
Interesting thoughts, and some important ones that have not been in the fore-front of my own mind. Thanks for writing this Peter ... my own ideas regarding a will have been sparked.
Hello from SpeedyCat, how have you been?
Peter, what a great post. It makes good sense. Not burdening the family with a difficult decision like that. Thanks for the advice.
Lovely family photos!!!
I am doing fine now. :D
Hugs, JJ
Hi JJ! I should have the living will up and running shortly, as we are currently redoing both our wills. Just have to work out what the kids get from all the treasures we have at home! Good to see you on the mend!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Speedcat Hollydale! You certainly crack me up with your site. Just what I need after a hard days work!
Sorry to hear about the rough deal you got with your cell. Providers being so very keen to sign people up are not always so enthusiastic when you ring them with a problem.
How about we do away with them all together and go back to the pay phones on the side of the road? Yeah right, they're got us by the short and curlys haven't they? Hook, line and sinker.
Anyway, I'm well considering my poor old legs feel like they've done 36 rounds on the golf course in one day! I'm glad I've thrown a spark your way.
Take Care,
Peter
Excellent post and advice Peter. I had made a regular will up because of my flight to China but have really got to consider doing a living will. Lol about the use-by date.
Hey Peter way to go! You tell them, lol, yet I think you still have many beautiful years to come, and especially now when in 106 days [approx] you will be grandfather...Congratulations. Anna :)
BTW finally blogger got spell checker in the form, its about darn time....or my browser, lol, one or the other. I thought I just spell out few irrelevant thoughts.
Hi Bob and hope all goes well in China. Do you want me to carry your bags and cameras for you while you're over there? I come cheap!
Good to see you making a will. My living will, will be up and running very soon. Oh! and don't forget to take out health insurance for your international journey as to be caught out without it can cost an arm and a leg!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Anna! Touch wood, that I live for many years to come as I don't want to miss out on all the grandkids do I, especially with one on the way!
As for my spell checker, I wouldn't know what to do without it.
Take Care,
Peter
Hello Peter!
I agree it is a person's right to choose. I have not put together an advanced directive yet. I probably should. Neither my grandparents nor parents put one together for us kids. We were left to decide their fate.
The hardest, and most recent, was my mother. I watched her suffer as my sister chose to keep her going. In the end she did finally let her go, there was nothing left for the doctors to do short of an heart lung machine and constant dialysis. She could no longer communicate and was almost comatose.
I could not take it anymore. I told my sister mother was ready to go. The doctors had told her the same...It is so sad when a body shuts down.
My sister is an RN. She'd seen this before, but her knowledge of various treatments is quite a burden. Sometimes I think she knows too much for her own good.
I asked her if she would want to live the way mother was living? She said no.
Recently, we were discussing this. My sister has a living will. Hers asks we do what we can to keep her comfortable, but DNR.
Peter, thanks for this post. Given my recent medical bouts I better get to this right away.
Have a great week!
Peter:
Are you sure that the labeling on the left side picture is correct?
I like the will idea. Even my Queen has been after me to prepare one.
Happy trails.
Hey Peter,
You are absolutely right: 50 is the new 30...my mom is 51 and I can tell you that she looks 35, it's impressive!
Nevertheless, I know well what you mean (for my dad is going through the same process: he is in his 60's which are the new 40's lol).
"I believe the right to live or die decision should totally lie in my hands:" - I hear you! I wouldn't want to be connected to a lifeless body either. If the shell has perished it is time for me to go Home.
Oh Pete, such gorgeous family photos!! The first one (up on the left): is it you and your brother? They are such cute babies!! :)
This is quite a theme, but I didn't perceive it as being pro-euthanasia...I perceived it as a will of wanting to leave your shell with dignity.
Euthanasia: I must think about it in more depth, for I don't know how ethical it is (perhaps I might write about it one day).
I see that you have a Baby Poll going on: I have voted :D!
Cheers
Hi The Muse. I'm unsure if my parents have a living will. I should ask them but knowing my two brothers they would have asked this already, I hope!
Obviously deciding whether someone is for DNR is a difficult task as most hope and pray that some miracle will occur that will bring them back. But unfortunately miracles are few and far between.
As for your recent medical bouts, you should last another 100+ years going on the work you've done to turn them around.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Max! So your Mum is 51! A spring chicken in my books and you're so lucky as you will have inherited your mothers youthful looks.
I consider myself the same, but unfortunately my insides tell a different story! Heaven knows what's holding me together!
The pictures you see are from days long ago when we were all in good nick with no thoughts of the after life.
I see everyone has voted for a girl! That should take some heat off the mum to be!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Swubird! I'm not sure what you mean by the first sentence. If I've made a blue, please let me know and I will fix it up!
Now, with your story about the Grim Reaper I think it's high time you made one, a living will that is!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter!
"So your Mum is 51! A spring chicken in my books and you're so lucky as you will have inherited your mothers youthful looks."
Yes, she is. LOL Amen, Pete, amen!
"Heaven knows what's holding me together!"
I'll tell you what's holding you together: love and a wonderful family :)! But you feel ok, right?
"The pictures you see are from days long ago when we were all in good nick with no thoughts of the after life."
Well, they are beautiful!
"I see everyone has voted for a girl! That should take some heat off the mum to be!"
I noticed it too - girls are so adorable (boys are too, but girls are special). LOL...
Cheers
Hi Peter
Last night after looking after this once vivacious woman, who now reduced to regular pressure area care, her body is wasting away, her skin tearing at the slightest touch, her daughter now has agreed to a PEG insertion. I've seen it before but want to know how do I go about stopping this ever happening to me. How do I get a living will, I'm 42, don't want my kids or husband to have to make these choices for me. Does anyone have any positive stories about having a PEG? I've always seen PEGs as the beginning of the end.
Hi Anonymous and welcome! In answer to your first question, I found a site that explains how to make a living will pretty well. Of course it’s an Australian site (Australian Government site) but still a lawyer or solicitor can help you out wherever you live. Click “here” to view the link. In answer to your second question, I did find a site that shows that even the young can experience a PEG. A young girl by the name of Laura writes about her experiences with this very thing – to go to her site, click “here” and perhaps later when you have time, click “here” to read more about her other enlightening experiences.
Take Care,
Peter
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