End of life options

Stinsok · #1 08-25-2010, 05:24 PM

We buried my Grandmother on Sunday. She lived to be 99 years old (well, her body did.) She was pretty sharp until a couple of years ago. She suffered a stroke and was bed bound. She couldn't get up, feed herself, didn't know what was real and what was not. She could barely speak. She required 24 hour care, and since her savings were used up my family had to do it.

I know many families face this, and it's possible my wife and I may face that with our parents. When/if I become like my Grandmother, I do not want to be a burden. With a clearly defined living will, is it legal to have yourself (for lack of a better phrase) "put down?"

MatticusMania · #2 08-25-2010, 05:27 PM

This is why I had a small cyanide capsule wrapped in plastic surgically implanted into the back inside of my cheek. Just in case.

MJ5150 · #3 08-25-2010, 05:28 PM

Depends on what state you live in.

-Mike

fingertap · #4 08-25-2010, 07:10 PM

:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Your mileage may vary...

~

Unrepresented · #5 08-25-2010, 07:25 PM

Absolutely. I can think of many situations where I'd want my life ended far before a state of complete vegetation.

Outliving your usefulness seems like a lousy way to live, both for you and the village that's stuck supporting you.

username n/a · #6 08-25-2010, 07:28 PM

I wouldn't mind being in a vegetative state. I love vegetables!

MakiSupaStar · #7 08-25-2010, 07:30 PM

Sorry to hear about this. I'm not sure but I would imagine that you could mention it in a legal will, and at some point you can get a medical tag (bracelet, necklace, etc) that has your DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) info on it.

WookieeForLife · #8 08-25-2010, 07:33 PM

Live as long as possible man.

Kwesi · #9 08-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

Live as long as possible man.

Even if living means being no more than a human husk? I think I'll pass.

Tommygunn · #10 08-25-2010, 07:38 PM

Assisted suicide is illegal here in Texas IIRC.

FritoBandito · #11 08-25-2010, 08:18 PM

Sorry about your grandma. This is a tough question. Like Kwesi said, becoming nothing more than a shell is not my cup of tea, but there are a huge amount of moral and ethical questions involved here. I'm going with Matticus on this one. Now where did I put that cyanide pill?

fingertap · #12 08-25-2010, 08:50 PM

.

When you sleep and you lose consciousness, how do you know that you have dreamed when you awake?

love your neighbor [even] as yourself.

cya

~

Hookus · #13 08-26-2010, 06:11 AM

I don't think it is legal anywhere to be "put down", but I'm just as sure it IS legal to have DNR specified in your will. The only difference is that one way you are "killed", and the other just not "resurrected" after you already sort of died.

Sorry to hear about it though. I'm sure there was an element of knew it was coming at the age of 99, but it certainly does not make it easier to deal with the loss I'm sure.

Kwesi · #14 08-26-2010, 06:20 AM

One thing I didn't think about. If a person commits suicide doesn't their life insurance coverage go out the door? Man, it would be so much simpler if they just made it legal to be put to sleep in lieu of a lifeless existence :/. I know it's a long ways off for me but it worries me to think about it.

Phalex · #15 08-26-2010, 06:49 AM

Condolences on your grandmother Stinsok.

I told my wife that if I can't feed myself or wipe my own *** for a year, just have them move my bed up to the roof of the hospital. If I get cold or thirsty, I'll make my way back down.

Being forced to live trapped inside of my own body is one thing that really scares the crap out of me.

Absentia · #16 08-26-2010, 07:28 AM

I'm under strict orders from my dad to put him down with his 45 if he can't wipe his own ass.

My friend has this going on right now with his dad, poor guy is in the hospital in a drug educed coma (for lack of better words) to keep him from ripping his breathing tube out.
The poor old goat has lou garrets so his head is all there but he's unable to move, speak and barely see from all the drugs.

sad life indeed worse than death IMO.

mid_life_crisis · #17 08-26-2010, 07:40 AM

I am a firm believer that you should be able to appoint someone that you trust absolutely to make the decision for you to give you the "blue juice" (the stuff they use at a vet's is usually blue - or used to be) if you are vegetative or suffering and just bleeding your family's resources for no purpose.

MonetBass · #18 08-26-2010, 08:10 AM

My wife and I both have a DNR clause in our living wills. We also have arranged for care for our son should something happen to both of us. If you have a family and have not prepared a living will, contact a lawyer and do so pronto. Being prepared will make things easier on everyone down the road.

stratovani · #19 08-26-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Being forced to live trapped inside of my own body is one thing that really scares the crap out of me.

Thirty years ago I had an uncle who died of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's exactly like you said, forced to live trapped inside a body growing increasigly useless. From what I saw of it there is no worse disease out there. I'd rather die from cancer, stroke, and a car accident at the same time rather than have to endure what my uncle went through.

Gard · #20 08-26-2010, 08:21 AM

...they shoot horses, don't they?

We are more humane (usually) to our animals than we are to ourselves...sad, isn't it?

As hard as it has been for me to say goodbye to my friends with fur in the past, it was the proper thing to do for them at the time.

My father and I have an understanding that neither will let the other "live" when we're not alive. My wife and I have a similar understanding.

The greatest kindness is knowing when it is time to say goodbye, no matter how difficult it is.