http://www.mdspatientsupport.org.uk/forum

I wonder if anyone can advise me please. Especially on the living will side.
I have my will in place for my possessions and I'm arranging for power of attorney, but as I've be given a prognoses of median survival of 3 and a half years in June 2013, I want to sort out the Living Will side of things.
I want to survive as long as possible and don't want someone to take a "Do Not Resuscitate" directive to literally. If there is a chance of me keeping going with treatment.
However, I don't want to leave my daughter with a decision to have to turn off the ventilator, or to have to agree to stop treatment.
I want to save her from that.
Has anyone made a living will? Any advice would be appreciated.
(Red)
Winnie

Hi Winnie

I am just about to do this. I must stop procrastinating but it is a hard thing to do. There is some useful information on the Compassion in Dying website, link below, and also some forms you can print off. The ggod thing is that you can specify in advance under what conditions you don't want resuscitation, treatment etc so your daughter is not placed in a difficult position.

Be careful if you also want to make a Health and Welfare Power of Attorney (rather than just the property one) as this can render the Advance decision void.

http://www.compassionindying.org.uk/factsheets

Best wishes

Chris

Dear Chris,
Thanks for your reply, I'm just in a very emotional state at the moment. I spoke to Sophie this morning and that helped a lot.
I think living on my own is getting me down. I'm okay when I'm out with family or friends but once I'm on my own I get very down.
I am seeing my specialist tomorrow so will find out if I'm still stable. I have also made an appointment to see my GP as I'm not sleeping very well.
Regards,
Winnie
(red)

Hi Winnie,
as ever - good to hear from you - in email and on the phone.

Do also call the Macmillan advice line - and get to speak to their legacy team
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinfor ... tters.aspx

I hope a few more people will be able to contribute to this difficult topic.
In your case Winnie, as for many others, it will provide some peace of mind to you - should it come to such a situation in the future. Well done for tackling this now.

All the best - and don't forget to connect to more people on here on other topics too!