I had power of attorney for my mother and did not wish to prolong a vegetative state. But I can understand people who’d do anything to keep that spark of life going for another hour or day or week.
I’ve told my kids I’m not interested in being kept alive on machines, but need to put that in writing. I understand that hospitals frequently override DNR orders, probably for fear of being sued.
Hospitals rarely override a cogent written DNR order. They can be sued for malpractice and criminally charged with assault and battery for ignoring a written DNR. They also can also be hit with triple damages for an intentional tort.
A hospital will deal with your written DNR very seriously.
I’ve told my wife and kids: “It’s not the quantity of life I live, but the quality that matters. If I’m hooked to a machine and will never leave the bed again just let me go.”
I don’t agree with a lot of the HTT crowd here who think that if you shorten a life by a few hours or days, or even weeks you’re going to hell.