Once and for ALL....DO YOU want to be kept on this earth?

[serryjw]

Everyone is ranting and raving about their opinion on the Terry Schiavo case. So lets talk about what WE want. Any of us can be faced with this for our selves or a loved one.
For me it is very simple. IF I don't KNOW what's happening, I don't want to be here, regardless of whether my heart is beating....

[Misunderestimator]

1. No tubes for me...

[Liberal Veteran]

2. It depends.

If I needed a feeding tube, but was otherwise alert and active, I would be okay with that.

If I was in Terri Schiavo's condition, I'd not want my body kept alive.

[uppityperson]

3. I'm confused

The choices seem confusing to me. If I am unable to feed myself and don't know what's going on and will never recover, I want to be able to die. No tube feedings for me.

[Toucano]

4. Rapture, take me away!

You're soaking in it.

Ancient Chinese secret, huh?

[Beacho]

5. I have a living will filed with the VA

If there is no brain activity, then I'm already gone. A piece of meat is not 'me', it's just the vehicle. If I'm already gone, then there is no reason to keep the vehicle running

[Lady Effingbroke]

6. no extraordinary life saving measures, no tubes.

[bush_is_wacko]

7. Other: Nothing! Death is a part of life and if I'm dying "LET ME GO!"

Please surround me with all those that loved me in the end so they can accept my death as the next phase in my journey. Weep for me if you must, but remember, I lived my life the way I wanted to live it. I spoke my mind and loved deeply. I go to a better place!

Do NOT feel guilty about the decision you make because I KNOW you love me enough to let me go! I would never hold you responsible for a decision you make during your time of grief, but PLEASE make the right decision for us all!

[Senior citizen]

8. I used to work for a doctor who told me about a rich patient

who had been in a coma on life support for many years and would be kept that way until the estate ran out, if possible.

They say there are only 2 sure things in life: death and taxes.

Well, I've never earned enough to pay taxes, so now I'm worried that since I have MediCare and Medic-Aid and the government would pay the hospital bills, I might never die.

No tubes or extraodinary measures for me please--living will on file!

[Swamp Rat]

9. Way'at Senior citizen!

:hi:

Folks are getting pretty self-righteous about other people's private lives. x(

[DoNotRefill]

10. Other here...I want to be able to kill myself when I'm ready to die....

and if I'm physically unable to kill myself, I want a loved family member (or if they don't want to, a doctor) to be able to kill me without going through the hell of being prosecuted for it.

Death with dignity and on demand.

My beloved mother has had three strokes. She lives in fear of being a vegetable. She's REALLY terrified of ending up like that. When her time comes, if the doctors will not put her out of her misery, then I will. She made me promise her that I would, and a promise is a promise, no matter what the repercussions for me are. She has a living will expressing her desire to die in those circumstances, but if that doesn't work, I'm her fallback option.

[burn the bush]

11. I want extraordinary steps taken for at least a while. Give me a chance

to find my way back. I may just be in the holideck of my brain. But No, If I am not getting better, ever, then I would not want to live like that for years and years. I think I'll have my hubby pull my plug when he is ready and when say 6 months have gone by with no improvement.

[SW FL Dem]

12. I had to vote other

I don't want to be tube fed or on a respirator forever, but if I need them for a short term and have a decent chance of recovery, I want them. That said, if I were in Terri's condition, I would want everyone to let me go peacefully.

[serryjw]

13. REGISTER your living will online!

This is wonderful
http://www.uslivingwillregistry.com/

[SW FL Dem]

14. Thanks!

Luckily Hubby and I are both attorneys so we hope our documents are in order.

[serryjw]

15. Only half the battle

will they be available to medical professionals when the time comes? How will they know where to find the paperwork and get it to the right people in time? By registering them on line you have a sticker on your license that gives medical professional access to your wishes 24/7