Not something we like to think about - but would you like to be subjected to aggressive medical intervention should you be unable to speak for yourself following an accident or serious illness and there is no chance of recovery? 

Would you like to be kept alive by unnatural means and end up in a vegetative state and live a life of no dignity, pain and total dependence?

You've perhaps spoken about getting a Living Will, but not done anything about it like most of us.

![httpwww.dignitysa.orgblogwp-contentuploadscontentimagesdrjack.jpg.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZs9g5JnYmbAHQojNhupXW8whHG1g8KKKtrLe8WK95SgR/httpwww.dignitysa.orgblogwp-contentuploadscontentimagesdrjack.jpg.jpg)
[*Image credit - dignitysa.org*](http://www.dignitysa.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/contentimages/drjack.jpg)

A very close friend's family is now facing this dilemma - I wrote about her a couple of weeks ago in one of my [Cook with us posts](https://steemit.com/cookwithus/@lizelle/cook-with-us-22-apple-roses).

She was on life support for three weeks after suffering cardiac arrest; then there was a glimmer of hope after she was weaned off the ventilator when her vitals improved slightly. Her condition however deteriorated to the point where she was in constant pain but no pain meds could be administered because of kidney and liver damage.

So a decision had to be reached by her family - not easy, but really the only humane thing they could do for her - and that is to sign a DNR form. 
This is a Do Not Resuscitate order - self explanatory - and she now is being given pain medication to make her comfortable.

I do not think any of us would want our families to have to agonise over a decision like that! 

Do not think this is something to file away for your senior years, it can happen at any age! No one wants to be left in an irreversible coma, and be in a vegetative state for a lengthy period with no hope of any improvement.

I certainly will be signing my own Living Will after seeing what happened to my friend.

Lastly, think about the following reasons to have a Living Will:

**SPEAKS FOR YOU**
*Speaks for you when you are unable to make a life changing decision*

**YOUR DECISION**
*You make the decision on what medical intervention you would not want - the hospital has to place you on life support indefinitely if you have not stated this*

**LOVED ONES' AGONY**
*Relieves your loved ones of making a heart-breaking decision on your behalf - also avoids feuds between your loved ones*

**MEDICAL BILLS**
*Prevents crippling exorbitant medical costs for those you leave behind*

**PEACE OF MIND**
*Gives you peace of mind that your wishes will be granted*

**LEGAL FEES**
*Avoids costly legal fees which will be incurred when there’s disagreement about your care* 

Finally, once you’ve signed your Living Will, file it somewhere safely, give certified copies to your loved ones, and relieve your family of ever having to make a heart-wrenching decision when they’re already faced with tragedy! 

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