Five Deadly Wishes: Signing Documents (EVERYBODY should read this before entering a hospital)

Catholic Bioethics, Featured ^ | May 16, 2011 | Fr. Basil Cole, O.P.

[SouthTexas]

Always figured I’d let the kids handle it, but son was a Corpsman so I don’t know if he knows how to stop. ;)

[Mrs. Don-o]

I don't know that everyone's legally or morally obliged to have a gastic tube inserted, since the insertion itself may be futile and burdensome in a dying person (e.g. there may be infection issues, or the person may not be able to actually absorb nutrition).

The real question comes when you already have the tube inserted, and it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do (supplying you with nutrition which you can assimilate), and it is not burdensome in itself, but somebody wants to remove it for the purpose of starving you to death.

That' a different matter altogether.

[BenKenobi]

Mine reads, “follow the Church teachings on all end-of-life matters.”

I’ve also designated someone that knows me well enough who is a medical professional to carry it out. Although I should probably go and get her legal power of attorney.

[Osage Orange]

A living will is not really for hospital use.

And Advance Directive...is more useful in that situation.

Just make sure...it's accepted at the hospital you are at. Most States are different.....

[freekitty]

Very informative.

[beaversmom]

No, I do wish she had had something, but I didn’t feel comfortable having her fill out the hospital living will just as she’s going into be operated on. It was pretty much how many days do you want to be kept alive if something goes wrong. She had had the paperwork beforehand, but she didn’t know how to fill it out and she’s not the type to ask questions or research anything on her own. You could push her over with a feather and talk her into just about anything. If I had known before we got to the hospital, I would have tried to help her.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Mrs. Don-o]

Yeah, definitely do the power of attorney thing.

I added explicit reference in my document to the USCCB Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care

http://www.usccb.org/bishops/directives.shtml

[Albion Wilde]

bttt

[little jeremiah]

Placemark to read and pingout.

I hope you’re feeling well, Mrs!! I haven’t forgotten our emails - had emergencies of various kinds - gave myself a concussion of some kind, and now have to make herb packages for two families in the PI, then I can work on what you sent me. Been thinking.

[DManA]

I would be uncomfortable with a stock hospital form also. Usually hospitals do have social workers that can help. It's something they face every day.

Pass it on how important it is to talk about these things before it's too late.

If I had known before we got to the hospital, I would have tried to help her.

[call meVeronica]

Bump