Jean Long wrote:
> Rose & Collette,
> My mother-in-law also had a Living Will stating no tubes or life support
> etc.
> She also had Alzheimer's. It did get to "that point" where she couldn't/
> or wouldn't eat anymore.
> At that point her mind was completely gone so she did nothing and knew
> nothing.
> My husband was Power of Attorney so even though they have a living will
> you have the final say, which I don't think is right. What good is a
> living Will anyway if you can overturn it???
>
> We also didn't like have the burden of the final decision but in the end
> decided to honor her wishes. We didn't allow any tubes. She died within
> a few months which was kind of a blessing for her. She had not been
> "living" for a long time, just existing.
> It is very sad but they don't even know what is going on and they are in
> their own little world somewhere.
> The last she was speaking she spoke like she was doing her gardening and
> playing & running after her kids when in reality she was in a Nursing
> Home and 79 years old!!
>
> Jean
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: adhesions@adhesions.org [mailto:adhesions@adhesions.org] On Behalf
> Of Rose Lunn
> Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2001 12:50 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS
> Subject: Collette
>
> Dear Collette,
>
> I know how tough a decision this is. My aunt had alzheimer's and we had
> to make the decision that she would rather die with dignity than go on
> as an unthinking, unfeeling vegetable. I also have medical power of
> attorney since she has alzheimer's also. But, she filled out a medical
> directive before she got too bad and that shows her wishes for no
> 'extraordinary means of support' and that includes feeding tubes. We do
> not yet have to worry about it because she is still somewhat functional,
> but I know in the future I will have a fight on my hands to do what she
> wanted because some of my siblings as well as one of my aunts don't
> agree.
>
> I know this is a sensitive subject and one that involves a lot of soul
> searching and prayer. You have to weigh your father's quality of life
> and what you believe he would want. I believe that dying with dignity
> is a right that the medical profession pretty much wants to ignore. To
> most of them death is a failure and their enemy because they want to
> stave it off at all costs. Maybe they need to review the part of their
> that says to first do no harm. I feel that keeping someone's heart and
> lungs going without any soul left is a travesty.
>
> I hope I have not affended anyone. It is only my views on the subject
> and I respect everyone's right to have their own opinions.
>
> love, hugs and respect,
> kcmo rose
>