Why EVERYONE needs to make a medical proxy, regardless of age or health condition.

[No Elephants]

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/14/22303207-husband-of-brain-dead-pregnant-woman-suing-to-remove-life-support?lite


You should not need to hire a lawyer. Ask your doctor or a social worker where you get treatment. Failing that, google the laws of your state on living wills, medical proxies, etc. You will probably find forms you can use. If you don't find what you need, call your state rep and ask for help. Most of all, you need to sign something that shows your intent. Do you want to be kept on life support--meaning breathing, IV nutrition or a stomach tube? Medication? Be as specific as possible.

Mind you, I was fed by IV and a stomach tube for almost two years (but I was not brain dead), and am very happy to be alive today; so I am not opposing all measures. I am just saying that people need to think about these things and write down their wishes--whatever those wishes may be--in a way that has a shot of holding up if it comes to that.

[Enthusiast]

1. Death panels!

You are advocating death panels!

I kid. I think your advice is very sound. I hesitate to ask about your medical history. I do not want to seem like a snoop. But it must have been quite serious if you were fed that way for such an extended period. Obviously you are not brain dead, quite the opposite.

Of course the "righties" knew end of life counseling didn't constitute death panels but they also knew their minions could be made to believe otherwise. When I think of how they mischaracterized such an important serious issue is pisses me off to no end.

[No Elephants]

2. Drs. are not 100% sure what happened, but yes, it was serious.

And, one thing led to another.

These days, doctors passing me in the corridors of the hospital who recognize me from that time are apt to point and either laugh (to see that I made it) or shake their heads and smile (for the same reason).

I don't want to sound like a Pollyanna, but it was, and continues to be, a blessing in many ways. But, enough about me.



As I have posted many times, the real death panels are cuts to safety nets. The country has apparently done a cost benefit analysis and determined it can tolerate causing some people to die better than it can tolerate funding safety nets. We know not having heating fuel will cause some deaths. We know not having universal health care coverage will cause some deaths. We know that drastic "reform" of welfare will cause some deaths. We know that cutting Social Security will cause some deaths. Ditto terminating unemployment benefits while jobs are scarce.

We've been willing for all those things to cause deaths, even though we are very unwilling to admit that. All of which is but more proof that we are not so much pro-life.