Redwitch is smart to make her wishes known to her family in writing now, before the need is here. I might mention, as a nurse who has seen this many times, sometimes it is the family who fights the wishes of the patient and wants to keep the patient alive at all costs. A patient who is suffering and tired and wants to die can be forced to live, given CPR (which by the way is painful and ugly and can leave one with physical consequences like broken ribs and brain damage), ventilators, IV feedings, tubes, lines, bedpans, and constant "fiddling" by healthcare providers. Their end-of-life can be miserable. The family of this patient mean well and are trying to do the right thing, but they are not listening to the patient.
Having said all this, I try never to second-guess the family. They are often exhausted and grieving, and just trying to get through it all with compassion and a clear conscience. So do your family and yourself a huge favor, make your wishes known in writing. But if something devastating happens to your loved one without that written direction, LISTEN to the patient and try to honor their wishes, even at the expense of what you want to happen. It is their life and it is their death. There is a lot to be said for a peaceful death with dignity.
I'm concerned about this posting I'm about to make, that it might be misconstrued. But hopefully all who read it will understand that it's all about honor, dignity, choices, and compassion for the living and the dying. Nurses see it all, and see the aftermath...
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