http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/livingwill/ en-us Tue, 4 Dec 2007 04:01:11 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1934302/posts During the last two months of life, Dorothy Glas endured so many blood tests her thin arms turned black and blue. The 85-year-old woman submitted to probes of her abdomen. Radiologists scanned her brain, kidneys, thyroid and heart. A psychiatrist screened her for depression. "My mother told him, 'Of course I'm depressed! I'm dying. How can you be happy?'" said her daughter, Meredith Snedeker of Hamilton Square. Glas withered to 80 pounds from an intestinal infection and, after a fall, entered the hospital in July for the final time, complaining of dizziness and a cut foot. The medicine revved up... star ledger http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1934302/posts#comment Tue, 4 Dec 2007 04:01:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1844719/posts With the release of Jack "Doctor Death" Kevorkian from prison, I found myself thinking back to a movie from the early 80's titled "Whose Life is it, Anyway?" The film starred Richard Dreyfuss as a sculptor who was paralyzed from the neck down in an auto accident. In the movie, Dreyfuss' character is faced with the prospect of a life of dependency, unable to pursue his dreams or live with even a shred of dignity. Dreyfuss requests that his life support be switched off and a dramatic court battle ensues. He has both allies and opponents, including a doctor who... The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1844719/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jun 2007 20:20:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1740686/posts The Lord Chancellor has warned doctors they risk going on trial for assault if they refuse to allow patients who have made 'living wills' to die. Lord Falconer's message to the medical profession told doctors and nurses that new laws will require them to end lives rather than save them. Those who decline to do so will face jail or, alternatively, big compensation claims in the courts. Lord Falconer set out the determination of the Government to use draconian penalties to enforce living wills in a guide to Labour's Mental Capacity Act for doctors, nurses and social workers. The law,... This is London http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1740686/posts#comment Sat, 18 Nov 2006 03:54:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1369524/posts Are you being targeted for euthanasia? By Mary Therese Helmueller, R.N. In 1984, while working as charge nurse in the intensive care unit, a 20-year-old man asked, “Can you give my mother enough morphine to let her sleep away?” I was horrified. “I can not kill your mother,” I responded. That was only the beginning. Recently, an 80-year-old was admitted to the emergency room and the physician said, “LET’S DEHYDRATE HER”; one more patient was sentenced to die in hospice with NO TERMINAL DIAGNOSIS and once again, THE LIVING WILL determined the death of a 70-year-old man regardless of how... Homiletic and Pastoral Review. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1369524/posts#comment Thu, 24 Mar 2005 12:02:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1693607/posts Page 5 Living Will Declaration made this _____ day of ________________, 2____, I, ____________________________, willfully and voluntarily make known my desire that my dying not be artificially prolonged under the circumstances set forth below, and I do hereby declare that, if at any time I am mentally or physically incapacitated and _____(initial) I have a terminal condition, or _____(initial) I have an end-stage condition, or _____(initial) I am in a persistent vegetative state, and if my attending or treating physician and another consulting physician have determined that there is no reasonable medical probability of my recovery from such condition,... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1693607/posts#comment Fri, 1 Sep 2006 05:54:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1612476/posts What if it had been your child to suffer as Terri Schiavo did? Kevin Fobbs April 10, 2006 Should America just simply move on if it was your child who suddenly was incapacitated and went through Terri Schiavo's experience? It is an interesting question, because there are those in the media and even probably in your office, your neighborhood or even your family who have said well just let the "poor woman" rest. Well I don't think America can do that because it could have been said about any innocent person who was taken to a crucifixion, or lynched from... Renew America http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1612476/posts#comment Mon, 10 Apr 2006 16:51:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1526988/posts A man and his wife were sitting in the living room and he said to her, "Just so you know, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug." His wife got up, unplugged the TV and threw out all of his beer. E-mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1526988/posts#comment Tue, 22 Nov 2005 22:58:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1456209/posts Terri schiavo's controversial death is old news now, but many of us are still grappling with the end-of-life questions it made us ask. The Florida woman's case propelled millions to consider living wills. Not so fast, caution many Christian ethicists and right-to-life groups. Living wills are more complex than they appear and alone don't necessarily guarantee death on your terms. Even if you already have a living will, you might want to know why some critics think these documents may be dangerous and others see potential ethical problems. You may not want what you signed. Some critics go so far... Christianity Today http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1456209/posts#comment Wed, 3 Aug 2005 17:38:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1452718/posts THE high court ruled today doctors do have the power to withdraw food and drink from terminally ill patients - even if it is against their wishes. The General Medical Council (GMC) was appealing against a previous ruling that gave Lesley Burke - who suffers from a degenerative brain condition - the right to insist on nutrition during the final stages of his illness... The appeal judges were told {that]a patient did not have the right to demand any particular form of treatment... Joyce Robins, co-director of human rights campaign group Patient Concern, said the decision was a disappointment. She... The Sun (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1452718/posts#comment Thu, 28 Jul 2005 23:33:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1425169/posts Interest in living wills - the documents that let people specify what medical measures they want or do not want at the end of life - has surged in the aftermath of the fierce nationwide battle over the fate of Terri Schiavo, lawyers and other experts on all sides of the issue say. While interest peaked around the time of Ms. Schiavo's death on March 31, it is still strong, these experts say. Many people are filling out the forms for the first time. Others are taking a new look at forms they filled out some time ago. Most living... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1425169/posts#comment Fri, 17 Jun 2005 19:09:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1421154/posts New Zealand-born Kate Adamson-Klugman experienced a double brainstem stroke in 1995 at the age of 33. She was helpless and completely paralyzed, suffering from "locked-in syn­drome." Kate thought she was clear in her own mind about what she would want if she ever experienced a catastrophic injury or illness. She knew she would face death bravely; she wanted no heroics. But as she lay in an intensive care unit, listening to the doctors talk about her own impending death and their plans not to treat her, her ideas of medical aid toward incapacitated persons drastically changed. Her own will to... The New American http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1421154/posts#comment Sun, 12 Jun 2005 00:33:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1401415/posts Urged by Terry Schiavo's brother, a Louisiana Senate panel Tuesday advanced a proposed law that would require keeping incapacitated people alive unless they previously said or wrote that they don't want feeding tubes. "Every life is sacred, and we should treat it that way," Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schindler, testified. Opponents said the legislation -- spawned by the national furor over the Schiavo case in Florida -- is government stepping in where families, with physicians, should be making the decisions. Before approving the measure, the Senate Judiciary A Committee voted 4-3 to require the state to pay medical bills if government... 2theadvocate.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1401415/posts#comment Thu, 12 May 2005 02:47:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1380077/posts Kenneth Mullinax, the patient’s nephew in Birmingham, Ala., said a hospice nurse told him that Magouirk had not received substantial nourishment since March 28. He wants a temporary feeding tube inserted until she can be evaluated for treatment at the University of Alabama Medical Center. A living will states that nourishment should be withheld only if she were in a coma or vegetative state with no hope of recovery. Mullinax and the patient’s brother and sister – Lonnie Ruth Mullinax of Birmingham and A.B. McLeod of Anniston, Ala. – came here last Friday to arrange for a feeding tube and... Lagrange News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1380077/posts#comment Fri, 8 Apr 2005 21:36:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1376627/posts U.S. LIVING WILL REGISTRY Living will - health care proxy Advance Directive FormsPreparing an advance directive involves more than simply filling out a form. The time you spend thinking about the kind of care you want, or don't want, and discussing your wishes with your family and loved ones is much more meaningful than simply checking off boxes on a form. The written document is a good way to memorialize and record your thoughts and choices, but it is no substitute for time spent discussing those choices with your loved ones.You might want to start out by visiting the... U.S. Living Will Registry http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1376627/posts#comment Sun, 3 Apr 2005 18:58:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1374407/posts PARIS (Reuters) - Pope John Paul, now being fed through a nasal tube because of his throat problems, effectively wrote his own "living will" last year in a speech declaring some life-extending treatments a moral duty for Roman Catholics. The ailing Pontiff sharply narrowed Catholic guidelines for treating patients nearing death in March 2004 when he described tube-feeding as a normal treatment rather than an extraordinary measure that can be stopped if all hope of recovery fades. This indicates he would want to be kept alive by artificial means even if he fell into a coma or a persistent vegetative... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1374407/posts#comment Thu, 31 Mar 2005 10:07:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1373498/posts RUSH: Back to the phones, and we'll go to Clarkston, Michigan. This Don. Welcome to the program, sir. Nice to have you with us. CALLER: Hey, union thug dittos, Rushbo. RUSH: Great to have you. Yeah. CALLER: Yes, sir. Do you have an advance directive, sir, an advance medical directive? RUSH: You are asking personal information from the host? CALLER: No, sir, I'm just asking a "yes" or a "no," whether or not you do, sir. RUSH: I do. I have that and much more. CALLER: Okay. RUSH: You want some details? I'll even give you details. CALLER: No, sir.... Rush Limbaugh.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1373498/posts#comment Wed, 30 Mar 2005 02:14:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1371561/posts In light of the tragedy in Florida, I have decided to make out a living will. I do not want what is happening there to happen to me. I wish to make my feelings known now while I still have time. While I make out this living will I continue to pray for that lovely woman, Terri Schiavo and her family. Some people may think that I am making light of the situation, but I am not. This living will is made in all seriousness and I hope that the State of Missouri will take it as such. I will... Myself http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1371561/posts#comment Sun, 27 Mar 2005 03:18:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1370747/posts If there is anything positive that can result from the avalanche of media attention on the case of Terri Schiavo, perhaps it's that more people will become educated on the importance of Advanced Directives. There are several types of Advanced Directives that can be constructed. Living Will A living will only comes into effect when you are terminally ill. Being terminally ill generally means that you have less than six months to live. In a living will, you can describe the kind of treatment you want in certain situations. A living will doesn't let you select someone to make decisions... Generation Why? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1370747/posts#comment Fri, 25 Mar 2005 19:26:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1369587/posts After Josef Weissberg suffered a heart attack in 2001, following a battle with cancer, his son Ted was comforted that his father had prepared a living will. But as Ted soon discovered, a living will can't prevent a loved one from trying to pursue passionate beliefs. When it became clear Josef would die unless doctors intervened, Ted's uncle, Norbert Weissberg, began appealing to doctors to save his brother. "He just couldn't let his brother go," Ted says. At the time, "I was unaware that anyone other than my brother's wife had consented" to the advance directive, Norbert says. "It wasn't... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1369587/posts#comment Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:47:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1367170/posts The top two stories this week involve cases that could've potentially been prevented if people had taken the right precautions.First, the case of Terri Schiavo ought to encourage EVERYONE to prepare a Living Will (aka "Physician's Directive" or "Advanced Directive") as soon as possible. This will remove any misunderstandings or doubt about what you would or would not like to receive in the way of life-supporting medical care/treatment.Second, the case of Jessica Lunsford, who was killed by a registered sex offender and predator of the worst kind. Parents should take a moment and search their states' Registered Sex Offender List... Generation Why? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1367170/posts#comment Mon, 21 Mar 2005 15:28:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1336646/posts In October 2003, the name Terri Schiavo made the news. Her story is familiar to most, so I will just remind you of its highlights. In February 1990 Schiavo collapsed at home under questionable circumstances. Her brain was deprived of oxygen for some six to eight minutes, and she suffered severe brain damage. In 1992, her husband Michael was awarded more than $2 million in three separate malpractice suits. This money was to be used for Terri’s care and rehabilitation. Instead, as soon as the money was awarded, Michael “remembered” that Terri had expressed her wish not to be kept... The Item http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1336646/posts#comment Sat, 5 Feb 2005 15:28:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1298851/posts Orlando, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The man at the center of a debate between his wife and a Florida hospital has died after the hospital won the right to terminate his life support. The hospital and wife disputed whether or not 73-year-old terminally ill patient Hanford Pinette had any hope of survival. Pinette stopped breathing less than two hours after doctors at Lucerne Hospital removed him from a breathing machine. "He was trying to breathe on his own," Pinette's wife Alice told the Associated Press. She is still upset at the actions a court took to allow the hospital to end... LifeNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1298851/posts#comment Fri, 10 Dec 2004 21:57:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1290933/posts The story of Terri Schindler-Schiavo will break your heart. This poor woman collapsed in her Florida home some thirteen years ago and suffered severe brain damage. Ten years ago, a medical malpractice case awarded $750,000 for her rehabilitation. But her husband (and guardian) has since forbidden any attempts at rehabilitation. Beware of the Serpent’s Soothing Words For years, Terri has been languishing while her husband seeks court approval to kill her. In fact, he's spent over half her rehabilitation money paying attorneys in an attempt to starve and dehydrate Terri by removing her feeding tube. Her parents' heroic determination to... e3mil.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1290933/posts#comment Tue, 30 Nov 2004 09:02:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1120808/posts Catholic hospitals are reassuring patients they'll honour living wills in the wake of a papal pronouncement that hospitals should never remove feeding tubes from patients in persistent vegetative states. Pope John Paul II said last month that feeding and hydrating such patients is "morally obligatory" - and that withdrawing feeding tubes constitutes "euthanasia by omission". Since then, US bishops, theologians and ethicists have been studying the issue closely to see what the pope's words will mean for hospital operations in the United States. For now, many hospitals are deferring to the "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services"... Cathnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1120808/posts#comment Tue, 20 Apr 2004 03:07:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1101931/posts March 20, 2004, 11:34 AM EST VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II said Saturday the removal of feeding tubes from people in vegetative states was immoral, and that no judgment on their quality of life could justify such "euthanasia by omission." John Paul made the comments to participants of a Vatican conference on the ethical dilemmas of dealing with incapacitated patients, entering into a debate that has sparked court battles in the United States and elsewhere. The pope said even the medical terminology used to describe people in so-called "persistent vegetative states" was degrading to them. He said no... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1101931/posts#comment Sat, 20 Mar 2004 17:28:59 GMT