Question:
Anyone do a Living Will/Advance Medical Directive before surgery?

Anyone have thoughts on a Living Will/Power of Attorney prior to surgery? I'm ready for the surgery, but at age 30, married with a 1 yo daughter I'm worried about what will happen to them if something happens to me. I was wondering if anyone else did a Living Will or Advance Directive before surgery? Did you do it on your own or thru an attorney?    — Kristy L. (posted on November 24, 2002)

November 24, 2002
I have had both a Living Will and Advance Directive for the past ten years. I believe it is in my best interest for just everyday living--one never knows what each day might bring.
   — barbara A.

November 24, 2002
EVERY 30 year old should have a Living Will - surgery plans or not. You never know what could happen to you, and if your wishes about being ventliated and tube-fed, etc, are not written anywhere, it could be a terrible strain on your family. I work in a nursing home, and we have a man in a vegetative state after a car accident who is younger than I am, and his different family members are all at odds about what to do anytime a treatment question comes up. It's very, very sad. As for the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, this is a great thing to have if you want your health care decisions made by someone else other than the person who would normally be asked. If you are married, your husband will have the say-so. If single, your parents will. If your parents have died, then your siblings will have the say-so. I am single and both my parents are gone and I do NOT want my brother making health care decisions for me. I have a DPOA for Health Care that names my best friend as my decision-maker. She has one that names her husband first and me second, because she would rather have me make decisions than her mother or her sister, if her husband wasn't available. (If they were in an accident together, say.)In Tennessee, you don't have to use an attorney, you just get the forms notarized. Any Senior Center probably has the forms. (Which pepetuates the myth that only elderly people need advavced directives.) I inservice staff and families about advanced directives quite often. Feel fee to email me, if you want to.
   — Kim A.

November 24, 2002
Absolutely...had a dpoa and a dpoa for health care and a living trust. And I told my sister in advance where they were (freaked her out a bit, but hey!). Having advanced directives takes the pressure off your loved ones at a very difficult time. If you love somebody, get it done!
   — smwiller

November 24, 2002
Absolutely. While I had every intention of making it through fine, and have so far (open RNY 11/18/02) I wanted to be sure that if I did not, my husband would be aware of my wishes and not have to make tough decisions without that. I got the paper from the hospital and filled it out and had him read it. I signed the next day preop with witnesses. My sister is my second person.
   — Susan A.

November 24, 2002
I had both and a regular Last Will and Testement also. I have a couple of legal programs that had all of them on there. You can probably find an inexpensive program and do it yourself on you computer. Basically, it is fill in the blanks. Good Luck.
   — Diane R.

November 24, 2002
As an RN who has worked in both critical care and hospice, I have experienced first-hand the distress of families who are called upon to make critical decisions for the patient in the absence of Advanced Directives. I am a firm believer that every adult should have Advanced Directives in place, regardless of your age, present state of health, married versus single. You can have these done with an attorney, or access forms via the internet and then have signatures notarized, or have them done at the hospital at the time of admission. It is a federal law that all hospitals must inquire if Advanced Directives are in place, and also be prepared to assist the patient to execute that paperwork if they desire. Sit down with your family and discuss in detail exactly what you would want if you were not able to speak for yourself, and determine who would be the best spokesperson for your wishes....it is not necessary and automatically best to name the spouse as you Health Care Power of Attorney...that needs to be the person who clearly understands and agrees to uphold your wishes. As you are making these health care decisions, it is also a good time to make decisions regarding a will and durable power-of-attorney as well, especially if there are estate or guardianship of minor children issues. However, the critical pieces to have in place before surgery are the Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney, and those can be executed at no expense to you by the hospital staff....in our medical center that person is the social worker/discharge planner. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

November 24, 2002
Kristy, I went here http://www.uslivingwillregistry.com/ and downloaded forms for my state and filled them out and had them notarized. I have also updated my will. I do thi each time I have a surgery or some reason that makes me feel it needs revising. It's always a good idea! Good luck.
   — isumpin