Dear Readers,
Every once in a while a great book comes along, and I’d like to make note of its most vital points. Jane Brody, the New York Times columnist, has just brought out her “Guide to the Great Beyond.” I can’t recommend it enough!
One of the best passages concerns Living Wills — those documents that inform medical personnel what procedures you want — and don’t want — in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Most Living Wills, as Brody points out, are drafted by lawyers. They should be drafted by doctors.
For example, let’s say you write “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR, as it’s known) in the event of a life-threatening condition. Is that what you really mean? Let’s say you’re pretty healthy otherwise but suddenly have a heart attack — do you really want no intervention?
On the other hand, let’s say that like Terri Schiavo, you’re in a vegetative state, and you have a heart attack — in that instance you might really want no resuscitation.
Brody consults a doctor who proposes not simply a Living Will, but one with the code status you want. “Full code,” for instance means everything possible to save you should be done. “Comfort care” means that in an emergency, no life-prolonging measures should be applied, only pain relief and other forms of comfort.
”Full code except cardiac arrest” means exactly that. In the event of a heart attack, you want no help at all.
Brody also suggest you carry that Living Will resuscitation card in your wallet at all times. And that, most important, you give a copy to the person who is your designated health care proxy: an adult child, a spouse, a dear friend — someone, in other words, who will make sure your wishes are carried out. And who will, if necessary, fight medical personnel and recalcitrant hospital administrators in order to honor your last desires.
