[ddbach]

Crustchief's sudden loss of his father got me thinking about this again.

Everyone regardless of age should have this talk and get it in writing, file it with your doctor and the nearest hospital.

My mom had COPD and did tell us what she did and did not want regarding medical care. Much of it wasn't written down and what was written didn't cover what happened and wasn't on file with her nearest hospital.

Mom collapsed at her apt while my sister, who knew mom's wishes, was there. She was taken to the hospital where seizures due to hypoxia were diagnosed. We didn't have her wishes regarding NO ventilator written out so when she and my sister first arrived at the hospital the ER staff sprang into action to stabilize mom without really any pause to ask my sister about ventilator support until mom was stabilized. Treatment needed for the seizures reduced her respiratory drive requiring ventilator support. They actually put her into a coma for several days to stop the seizures. She was very slow to recover from this and then it took quite a while to wean her off of ventilator support which was unltimately unsucessful. We let her go 11 years ago next Sunday after 7 weeks of "toture". I felt we were toturing her with the vent but couldn't get family consensus to remove vent support.

We finally got Dad to do this 18 mo ago (way late) by doing it as a group. Copies are on file at the VA where he usually goes as well as the hospital nearest his home. I want to hang a copy on the inside of his front door but he won't let me.
I'm thinking of getting a tattoo when I reach an age or health status where I don't want extensive measures taken - DNR - right over my heart so it can't be missed. (DNR = do not resusitate)

Do it for your family. Please