Mary Ann, thank you for this information.
Elaine

--- On Thu, 8/13/09, Mary Ann Ryan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> From: Mary Ann Ryan <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: question re living will
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009, 8:25 AM
> This is an excellent question for
> everyone.  As a nurse, I have witnessed hundreds of
> resuscitations - many of which were against the wishes of
> the patient. So here are some of my suggestions regarding
> the construction of a living will.  Please remember to
> be very clear about your wishes.
> 
> Please consider answering the following questions:
> 
> Do you wish to be resuscitated.  If so, under which
> conditions?  If you are brain damaged so that you no
> longer have any quality of life, do you wish to have cardiac
> massage and be placed on a Vent (a device that is placed in
> your trachea and allows for artificial ventilation). How
> long should you remain on a vent (weeks, months, years) and
> when should it be removed?
> 
> Do you wish to have the instillation of a feeding
> tube?  If so, how long do you wish to receive
> nourishment in this manner  (days, weeks, months,
> years)?  When should it be removed?
> 
> Do you wish to have IV therapy if you are incapable of
> receiving hydration in any other manner?  For how
> long?  When should such therapy be removed?
> 
> At what age do you no longer wish to be resuscitated? 
> Please keep in mind that after the age of eighty, successful
> resuscitation occurs in only about 1% of those brought back
> to life and only 10% of that number ever leave the
> hospital.
> 
> A chemical code is different from a full Do Not Resuscitate
> order.  In a chemical code, blood pressure and cardiac
> arrhythmias are corrected.  So, please consider what
> therapies should be in place in the event of a cardiac
> crisis.
> 
> Although the question was addressed to people with PD, the
> reality is that when quality of life is adversely affected
> by any disease, a decision must be made regarding whether to
> resuscitate recognizing that quality of life will probably
> be worse post resuscitation. My husband stated clearly, when
> we constructed a living will, that he wanted everything
> possible to be done. Within a year he had a coronary. 
> His decision to persevere, no matter what, made the decision
> to permit bypass surgery so much easier for me and for
> him.  His doctors, at the time, we shocked that we
> opted for a full code status and surgery.  In the end,
> he lived five years longer, being able to see his first
> grandchild and participate to some degree in life.  His
> condition post surgery was severely impacted. 
> Nonetheless, we both were very happy that he was around for
> those five years.
> ---------
> God bless
> Mary Ann (CG Jamie 68/28 with PD, died 11/20/07)
> 
> 
> 
> Do
> www.bentwillowfarm.org
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "kbachn" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 8:37 AM
> Subject: question re living will
> 
> 
> > does anyone have any suggestions/ideas wrt what to put
> in a will if you have PD?
> > 
> > Thanks all
> > 
> >
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