Living Will~
What did you all do?
I would like to make one for the sake of my 2 young children..........not sure how to go about it though~
Any advice would be much appreciated................
I did one, the night before surgery...had it witnessed hours before my surgery!
A living will is a document stating your wishes for life suporting means in the event that you cannot vocally make those decisions because you are found to be brain dead, etc. It states that you do/do not want life suport, artificial respiration, feeding, etc. in the event that you are in a fatal stage of life.
You can call the hospital and ask to speak with someone who takes care of that and they can send you one. That's what Middlesex Hosp did for me.
It's not a last will and testament regarding your earthly possessions and stating guardianship for children, etc. That's something you have to do with a lawyer.
If you decide to do it, be sure to find out exactly how far in advance you have to sign the papers. I was orginally told to pick up the papers the day of surgery but when I arrived they said that there was no way I could make the arrangements before surgery b/c it was too early in the morning. Go figure.
Good luck!
When I had my surgery, I was still taking classes and my favorite professor was also a lawyer and she helped me spell everything out. I covered EVERYTHING from being kept alive to what should happen if I was pregnant (which wasn't even a remote possibility). I gave it to St. Francis the morning of surgery and its still on file here. Every time I come in for a procedure, they ask me about it.
Jessica 
Bethany, check out the five wishes document described here:
http://www.agingwithdignity.org/
It is a very well done, easy to understand document that addresses the necessary things you should consider when providing advance directives.
Can't remember when your surgery is but if soon I have send for a supply of these and would be glad to give you one.
Good luck, Helen
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