Quote:
Originally posted by Gruntled
I thought DNR orders were for "heroic measures," not food and water! That's not a good way to go. I hope she pulls through for you.
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You can specify what measures you want provided and not provided in a DNR. Usually you just leave it up to a trusted relative, but if you have time (say you know you're going to die of stomach cancer) you can formally or informally specify things like this. If she was at a stage where she couldn't take in food or water normally, there would no doubt be other health complications - probably either unconscious, or serious respiratory or digestive problems.
General suggestion to people: discuss some scenarios with your loved ones about when you'd want "the plug pulled" (figuratively), and if you haven't assigned medical power of attorney to someone, you should do so, even if it's a cheap form from a home software kit...you don't want to have a court-appointed stranger overruling the wishes you've discussed with your family.