Something to think about

I enjoy having total control over my life. I decide what to have for lunch, what clothes to wear, and how I spend my money. I've gone so far as to controlling my death. Sounds scary to think about in my twenties, but the bottom line is, when it comes to that time, I have the control. I marched my twenty four year old body to the attorneys office and had him make me up some nice legally binding documents. I then distributed them to my parents and siblings. They accepted them with the sad, yet relieved knowledge that, if anything should happen there is a weight lifted off them because I told them what to do, in writing.

A living will is a written document detailing how you want to be treated in certain medical events, should you be unable to verbally express your wishes. It translates whether or not you want your life to be sustained in the event of a terminal illness or injury. This gives you the ability to make decisions in advance about the use of life sustaining treatments such as heart-lung machines, tube feedings, intravenous hydration, and other medical equipment that will either sustain or prolong life, yet not cure your condition. Depending on your state a living will can also be of use for medical conditions such as permanent unconsciousness or undetectable brain activity.

The living will is put into action when the decision to use life sustaining treatments may prolong your life for a limited period of time and not obtaining such treatments would result in death. This does not that you will be denied pain medications that would keep you comfortable.

A living will allows you to decide in depth how you want your life to be handled. It's an important document to consider having made.

American Bar Association. "Estate Planning Faq's; Topic V." 2005. 30 January 2007. <http://www.abanet.org/rppt/public/home.html>.

My Job

I have broken a 92 year old woman's ribs. It's very commen to break a patients ribs while performing basic life support. Unfortunatly old women's bones tend to break more easily. I'll never forget the cracking sound I not only heard but felt as I pumped on her fragile chest attempting to revive her heart. Needless to say our efforts were fruitless, she passed away, like many old, sick patients do. The difference is she ended her life with a me on top of her breaking her bones, tubes shoved down her throat, shock pads stuck to her chest, and a mob of nurses and doctors shouting and pushing drugs into her dry veins. It sounds horrifying, and it is, but it's one of the standards of my job. I am paid to save lives. It's not always a good feeling to revive a human life when I know that the quality of that life is poor, but there is a set of rules, laws and regulations that requires me to attempt all means possible to save a life. Unless of course that person has made their end of life wishes known to their family, lawyer, and doctors. That's where code status comes in to play. DNR-do not resusitate, or Full Code-perform everything that can be done. Sounds clear cut, but unfortunatly, like all laws their are loophools. I guess that's what my research will be based on, all the unclear, grey area, ethical issues I deal with at work.