First emergency room visit in my older years. What would you do if asked this question. (respect, support)

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by luvmyhoss

I had symptoms of extreme pain in my chest and couldn't breathe.
After 5 hours of many tests and blood work they wanted to keep me overnight.

I agreed reluctantly and then was asked the question:

If something happens, do you want to be resuscitated?
I had to think about that for a few minutes before I said 'I guess so'.

How would you answer that question?
I wasn't aware they even asked it.

Advanced medical directives. Common question when admitted to the hospital. Me? No Terri Sciavo type of stuff. Give my organs to someone who can use them. I'm in my early 50s, BTW.

[augiedogie]

Its a common question anymore. There are people that are brought in on deaths door. They are basically asking for permission to allow nature to take its course. With someone who is 95 years old and has advanced alzheimers, some families will make the choice to allow their loved one to just go peacefully rather than putting them through all that trauma to their body.

[luvmyhoss]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

I would say yes.
Have u given your Medical Power of Attorney to someone...expressing all your wishes?
It's very easy...a Notary is all you need.
Print out a form online, even...or the Office stores probably
carry one good for your state.

Yes, I have. BH was sitting there and answered yes for me.

[luvmyhoss]

Originally Posted by LookingatFL

I would answer no. All my doctors have my Living Will and my Medical Power of Attorney. I've also made sure that everyone who matters has the answer to that question.

I read in Readers Digest that most medical professionals say no.

[luvmyhoss]

Originally Posted by Ohky0815

They usually ask if you have a POA and living will, which would include a DNR.

They didn't. I was surprised at my own hesitation in answering.

[luvmyhoss]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

My healthcare orders (in writing, Living Will) states DNR. But then I got to thinking, what if it's a relatively easy thing to be revived and I could be relatively OK after that? When we think about instating "DNR" in our records, we tend to think that if were were to be revived, we'd be a vegetable. Maybe not.

This is a valid point and ran through my head.

[PhureeKeeper]

My father was resuscitated after cardiac arrest and lived almost 15 years.
He got to be a big part of my niece's life.

I think the DNR should ask TWO questions:
Do you want to be resuscitated?

Do you want to be kept alive by any and all means? (breathing tube, feeding tube, etc).

[texdav]

That means what the question asked says. Quite different from do you want to be maintained on life support.

[Tek_Freek]

After watching my father in law go through resuscitation and the result, an emphatic, "No!"

[AZgarden]

Interesting thread.
I did the advanced directive and POA last month.
But if I were asked in person, being awake and in full mental capacity, I would probably say "It depends." If you can assure me I won't be a vegetable. If you can assure me I will still have my wits about me. If you are reasonably certain that this is a temporary state and I will recover enough to go on with a fairly normal life. All these "ifs" can only be answered by the medical personnel who hopefully have treated others with my condition, whatever that may be. And, then, I would leave the final word up to God (and the doctor).