Many of us have read about Terri Schaivo, the unfortunate woman who was hooked up to machines for years before her husband's plea to terminate life support was approved by the courts. Before Mrs. Schaivo's life ended, thousands of people, many of whom never met her or her husband, weighed in on what treatment she should have received or not received. Although I had already addressed end of life issues, the circus atmosphere that surrounded Mrs. Shaivo's last days haunted me.
I had already been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease for which there is no known cause, no reliable treatment and no known cure. Either the disease or a complication of the disease, pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, or some other organ failure, will eventually take my life. Since it is my life, it is also my choice as to how it ends, hooked up to life supports or resting peacefully until my last breath. For some people, life is sacred enough to endure anything. They want life support and treatment right until they draw their last breaths. For others, turning off the machines when the body cannot function on its own is a humane and dignified way to die.
Everyone has the right to make end of life decisions but many of us avoid them. We don't want to think about death, especially when we're perfectly healthy. Why would a 20-year old young man want to put in writing what he wants done if he's in a coma with irreversible brain damage. Who would even want to think about that? On the other hand, if the worst happened and that young man was in a coma, who would make those decisions for him. His parents, his spouse -- and would their choices be the ones he would have chosen?
As revolting as it may be to ponder what we would do in the event of a critical accident or illness, there is actually a sense of relief once we have these issues covered. We can go about our lives never considering "what if". The entire process of making end of life decisions can be made quickly and easily, once you know what you want.
Unless you have a legal background, you might not know where to start. But that's okay, because there are companies that will draft the paperwork for you for a modest cost. Although I have a legal background, my expertise was in other areas of law. So I went online and used LegalZoom.com to draft a Living Will, also known as a Health Care Directive or Healthcare Power of Attorney. You just answer the questions on a computer screen about your preferences and pay a modest fee using your credit card. Then LegalZoom or whomever you chose will prepare the paperwork and send it to you. The paperwork should be signed in front of witnesses who will need to sign the document as well. You will need to have this document notarized; notaries can be found in many banks and other businesses. If you work, there is probably someone at your office who is a notary.
Once you have your Living Will, you need to make certain that your doctor has a copy of this document. If you have been treated at a hospital as I have, it's probably a good idea to give a copy to patient records for your file. And of course, you will want the executor of the Living Will to have a copy. Presumably you have already spoken to the executor who has agreed to carry out your end of life wishes. Make certain that your agent/executor is comfortable with your choices, as is an alternative executor who may be required to take over in the event the primary executor is deceased or otherwise unavailable.
If you have a serious illness, you might consider carrying a copy of your Living Will with you. I carry a copy of mine with me in my purse. Because it is there, I have peace of mind and the satisfaction of knowing that when the time comes, I will leave this world in the dignified way I have chosen, rather than letting others choose for me.
Carol Knopf holds degrees in journalism and law and spent over 20 years in the legal and corporate worlds. In 2004, she was forced to leave work after being diagnosed with a lung-threatening lung disease. Since then, she has spent her time with photography and painting. Carol opened an online store, Carol's Wearable Art, selling clothes, accessories and gifts featuring her original photography and art. To contact Carol directly, please use her store email: carolswearableart@yahoo.com
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