Replies

I respect others choices but I have a problem with blanket advanced directives. You can't be prepares for every situation. My husband and I have decided not to do this. We trust each other to make decisions and would do so with parent(s) support. While no one wants artifical means, at times it is appropriate. What if you had to have an ER surgery and needed to be medically sedated (vent) a few days to allow your body rest to recover or were in a coma temp. that could be reversible.

Cindy,
Yes you are right about that. I abbreviated the whole long document there is some flexibility, however overall if I ever become irrerversivly incapacitated, brain dead and relying soly on machines to live, then I don't want to be kept alive like that. My wishes are not short term after an operation type of thing, it's more permenent than that.

My husband and I have both made each other Medical "Power of Attorney" for each other. However suppose my husband is just really bad, and I know his wishes but I just can't make myself follow them, in that case I can (it is within my option, no one can take this from me or step in, it is up to me to step aside) call up the second (after me) Medical Power of Attorney, my sister's husband. In this way he could make the decision and give the orders. It spares the spouse from giving the "word". As an in-law I think he would have an easier time doing this than my blood family. But I gotta tell you I beleive food and water are NOT extrodinary measures and have spelled that out completely.

I am rather shocked that my parents want food and water withheld from them. It will be hard for me to do, God forbid I should ever have to, knowing my own beliefs. I personally could not do that, I would make my big brother or my 2 sisters do that.

I agree with you about this.....I think it is too "case specific" to sign a paper, and then have some court oppose my hubby, or my brothers? No way! I prefer to leave my life to the judgement of those I love, not some bogus legal system, or liberal judge.

I think most of us have better people in ouru personal lives than MS is......and that is all the difference in the world.

Good post, Cindy........

My husband and I have decided not to do this. We trust each other to make decisions and would do so with parent(s) support.

It may still be wise to draw up and file advance directives for what should be done in the event both of you are incapacitated, with the proviso that if one of you is competant that person's judgement should be trusted over the defaults prescribed in the advance directive.