[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Absolutely. I completely agree. I have had long discussions about this with my family, wife, and PCP.

If something happens to me, accident, heart attack, etc., and I end up in a hospital, I do not want extraordinary measures taken unless the attending doctor has reason to believe my treatment will return me to a good or better quality of life as before the incident.

Of course, that is an extremely complicated decision, since everyone has their own opinion of what is an acceptable quality of life. For some being in a wheelchair is acceptable, for some being bedridden would be acceptable, for some a feeding tube down their throat or IV feeding would be acceptable.

My point is each of us should have the right to make OUR decision and no one should have the right to override it.

No system is perfect, but one that helps is having to have multiple non-associated doctors determine what YOUR wishes are and how they apply in the current situation.

I'd be fine with a wheelchair. I'd be fine with almost anything, but pain - not so much. If the only treatment involves removal of functional brain matter, severing essential nerves, or being doped up on pain meds for the rest of my life, I'd have to give "living" some serious consideration.