The only experience I have had with this subject was with my mother-in-law over 20 years ago. She was a wonderful person with a love of life. After she had a major stroke, they found cancer in the brain. Shortly afterwards, she had another stroke that left her paralyzed and without the ability to communicate. It was heartbraking to watch . Even tho we knew what she wanted done, there had been no advance legal arrangements made and it wasn't until after her kidneys had failed that my father-in-law made the difficult decision to take her off the machines. I remember my husband standing by her hospital bed telling her that he loved her and that it was okay for her to let go of life.
Both of my parents (each now in their 84th year) have made out living wills, stating their wishes and making me responsible for carrying them out.. They have also given me power of attorney. The thought of that responsibility scares me. I have no idea of how I will beable to decide what to do when the time comes. I just hope that I am strong enough to follow their directives. Then I will leave the rest in God's hands. I am the youngest of three and do not know how my sister or brother will feel when the time comes. For now I thank God that both my parents still enjoy good health and are able to live their lives the way they want to.
My husband and I have made living wills and given each other power of attorney. That's the best I can do for now.
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With God............all things are possible
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