Posted by Cathy-WI on 10/15/2009, 7:08 pm, in reply to "Do Not Resuscitatec form & living will advise?"
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Jarity, and others: You might want to step back and re-evaluate your decisions. I once told my pulmo that I didn't want to be intubated, that if I was that bad to just pull the plug. He cautioned me against that by saying there may be a time when it's needed just to get me 'over the hump.' Boy, was he right.
Less than a year later, following some surgery, I took a downturn. CPR was needed, and performed on the way to the ER, where I was intubated. After being intubated for 1.5 weeks, they did a tracheotomy and I was on that for 1.5 weeks.
Yes, after 3 weeks it was difficult to wean off the machines that were breathing for me. That can't be helped, but it can be done. It's made a bit easier by the fact that if you're in that situation, you're very likely pretty drugged up and not all that aware. At least, you won't remember much.
Talk to your doctors and family and let them know your wishes. If I had insisted on no intubation, I wouldn't have been around for the past four years to hassle my kids.
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