What is a Living Will?

Do you want to be resuscitated should something happen that required this effort? This has long been an issue among Americans that eventually led to a "living will". Many people want to be resuscitated; but, there are clauses in there that they want considered. For example: Am I brain dead? If so, pull the plug or, don't you dare pull the plug.

There is a legitimate debate among those with living wills that suggests, " As long as my heart is beating and you can keep me breathing, there is a possibility that I could awaken somewhere down the road". Although this is highly unlikely, no one can say 100% that you will never awaken. Sure, there are doctors and scientists that will argue it will never happen; but, the truth is...it could happen. If it happened once, is that enough for hope?

As far as I am concerned; if I already have a terminal disease such as cancer, I want DNR (do not resuscitate) tattooed on my chest so there is no doubt. I don't want to be brought back to continue to suffer; and, I think most people feel that way. On the other hand, what about cryogenic preservation? Do we really think that if we stay frozen, there is a remote chance that we can be brought back to life somewhere down the line? Perhaps a hundred years from now. I think Ted Williams believed it (or should I say, believes?)

I just don't understand this. Why on God's green earth would an already elderly man want to be brought back to totally unknown conditions of the world at an unknown time in the future, just to die again? Do they hope for immortality, or do they expect to die again? What is so important that you would want to come back? Sex? Money? Power? Perhaps you want to say," I beat death once, by gosh...bring it on again!". I just don't know.

Okay, back to the original "living will". This is a good idea. It saves the family from having to make a critical decision. A decision that they would feel guilty about either way. If you leave a living will, you are taking responsibility for the circumstances of your own death and saving your already bereaved family from a terribly difficult decision. This is a good thing any way you look at it. I would encourage anyone to take out a living will. God forbid, should you get a terminal disease, this is probably more important than any time other than severe heart damage or a stroke. There is a greater chance you would wind up on a ventilator, brain dead, with only a heartbeat to define life. The living will is you,saying, " Pull the plug", instead of your spouse, parent or child having to decide. The living will is you, saying, " I love you so much I am making the decision about my death so that you will not have to carry this burden". What a great way to say, " Goodbye".