Even if we just had the advanced directive, most hospitals will recognize them and do as they say. I have one on file at my doctor's office and carry a copy wherever I go. So does my husband. We haven't decided who to give power of attorney to, most of my nieces and nephews are too young still. We may just delegate it to our family attorney.
Sad subject, but I've learned the hard way to cover the bases while you can.
kcmo rose
At Sun, 2 Sep 2001, 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