A Living Will

“I don’t want nobody pounding on my chest:” These were words I heard my ninety-two-year-old mother say to the staff attending her at a rehabilitation center. She was sent there to recuperate from pneumonia. During her hospital stay, an aneurysm was discovered on the large artery (aorta) in her abdomen. An aneurysm causes an artery to swell like a balloon. It has the potential to rupture at any time and cause massive bleeding and/or death. Understanding the implications of her decision, she declined surgery to repair the aneurysm and opted to go to a rehab center for physical therapy. Although she had not completed a written living will, she verbalized her wishes.

A living will describe ones’ wishes should they become terminally ill. It takes the burden off the family when situations appear futile. My mother’s first twenty days at the rehab center were smooth. Each day her strength increased, and it looked like she would be able to return home. Then one day, she cried out in pain, blacked out, and stopped breathing. The rehab staff started resuscitation efforts including chest compressions. I am told that my mother opened her eyes and looked annoyed as if to say, I told y’all, I don’t want nobody pounding on my chest. She was transferred back to the hospital where she died one hour later.

Regardless of what caused the sudden worsening of her condition, her decision had been made. She lived out her faith in God in everything she did. She was courageous and decisive. When her mind was made up, her mind was made up.

Have you completed a living will? Do you think this is only for the elderly or people with terminal illnesses? While we do not have control over death, we have control over how we prepare for death.

For more information about living wills, log onto: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-a-living-will