When and under what circumstances would it be appropriate to

Remy said:
I'm so very, very sorry to read this. I'm sorry to know you have so much pain.
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Thank you, Remy. People in chronic pain do get to a point where they can tolerate quite a bit more pain than others, but it's just so tiring, you know? Saps your energy....which is why I take the vitamin Bs every day. Helps a lot!
 

Murrmurr said:
Chronic pain. I fell 60ft off a ridge when I was 38 and landed on a rocky shelf. I had 2 major spinal surgeries and had to be in a wheelchair over a prolonged period twice. Both times I worked super hard to get my legs back. A 3rd spinal surgery in 2016 was done by a new surgeon and it was the best! I had 2 relatively pain-free years after that, but then one of my vertebra slipped down slightly in front of the one below it. Once in a while I lose my legs again and my pain meds aren't controlling the constant pain. I could take stronger meds but I don't want to. They make me slow and slurry and sleepy.

Bottom line is, I'm just so tired of being in pain all the time. My torso feels like a bad tooth. My doctor started me on Cymbalta like 10 days ago and it's working ok as long as I'm not very active. I don't like being inactive, but I guess it's better than being a huge, walking toothache.
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Sorry to hear this ..🥲
 

charry said:
My husband has the DNR on his files and now my 96 yr old mother has also ….
whether ,they will react to this when it is needed ,is any ones guess……😳
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My mother has one also. So far nobody else in the family does but it could be a good idea in certain circumstances.
 
Murrmurr said:
Chronic pain. I fell 60ft off a ridge when I was 38 and landed on a rocky shelf. I had 2 major spinal surgeries and had to be in a wheelchair over a prolonged period twice. Both times I worked super hard to get my legs back. A 3rd spinal surgery in 2016 was done by a new surgeon and it was the best! I had 2 relatively pain-free years after that, but then one of my vertebra slipped down slightly in front of the one below it. Once in a while I lose my legs again and my pain meds aren't controlling the constant pain. I could take stronger meds but I don't want to. They make me slow and slurry and sleepy.

Bottom line is, I'm just so tired of being in pain all the time. My torso feels like a bad tooth. My doctor started me on Cymbalta like 10 days ago and it's working thereok as long as I'm not very active. I don't like being inactive, but I guess it's better than being a huge, walking toothache.
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Is there any kind of physical therapy that could help you? What exactly was injured in your back if you don't mind me asking? Are you able to do gentle exercises? Sorry for being nosy. I just care.
 
Pinky said:
A Canadian article from 2017. Hopefully, things have improved since then:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/do-not-resuscitate-ontario-canada-1.4288481
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Like you say, hopefully it has improved. My cousin in Ontario had a second stroke; they followed the DNR. He had told me had it and was adamant when we’d talked a few months prior that he didn’t want to live as a vegetable.

Considering many people wear a medic alarm, you’d think there’d be a way to co-ordinate information with it.
 
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chic said:
Is there any kind of physical therapy that could help you? What exactly was injured in your back if you don't mind me asking? Are you able to do gentle exercises? Sorry for being nosy. I just care.
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Thanks for caring, Chic.

I had a physical therapist and worked really hard at it, and then I exercised at home except when I couldn't.

For the past 5 years I've stuck to an exercise routine. It isn't entirely gentle but it isn't very long, 45 minutes to an hour and I take a day off when I feel I should. I can tell when it'll do more harm than good.

Added: My main injuries were spinal fractures, broken ribs, and lacerated liver. Ribs healed just fine, liver healed but there's scar tissue in it now and that's causing problems but not serious ones. The surgeon who did my first back surgery discovered a congenital spinal defect, a mild form of spina-bifida. That was repaired during my second surgery and doesn't give me any trouble.

After 3 major surgeries I did well for the most-part. Fairly recently, one of my vertebrea slipped down a little ways in front of the one below it, probably from carrying Paxton around (my foster son until he was almost 3). It's stressing my spinal cord as well as a nerve root, so I'm considering another surgery.
 
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Murrmurr said:
Thanks for caring, Chic.

I had a physical therapist and worked really hard at it, and then I exercised at home except when I couldn't.

For the past 5 years I've stuck to an exercise routine. It isn't entirely gentle but it isn't very long, 45 minutes to an hour and I take a day off when I feel I should. I can tell when it'll do more harm than good.

Added: My main injuries were spinal fractures, broken ribs, and lacerated liver. Ribs healed just fine, liver healed but there's scar tissue in it now and that's causing problems but not serious ones. The surgeon who did my first back surgery discovered a congenital spinal defect, a mild form of spina-bifida. That was repaired during my second surgery and doesn't give me any trouble.

After 3 major surgeries I did well for the most-part. Fairly recently, one of my vertebrea slipped down a little ways in front of the one below it, probably from carrying Paxton around (my foster son until he was almost 3). It's stressing my spinal cord as well as a nerve root, so I'm considering another surgery.
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Yes, if there is a nerve issue you probably should. I hope you will feel better and you are very wise to ascertain when exercise will help and when you should just rest. Most people don't listen to their bodies.

Good luck and good health to you.
 
chic said:
My mother has one also. So far nobody else in the family does but it could be a good idea in certain circumstances.
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I’m told lots of doctors and surgeons do not agree with the DNR s, they say there job is to save lives , not let people die !!!…….so they don’t necessary help DNR patients ….🥺
 
charry said:
I’m told lots of doctors and surgeons do not agree with the DNR s, they say there job is to save lives , not let people die !!!…….so they don’t necessary help DNR patients ….🥺
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I understand that but I was going to be wheelchair bound and/or blind I wouldn't want to live. My choice. I should have that option as should everyone.
 
Yikes @charry

And how do first responders know if the DNR was really left by you on the fridge? Just because your name is on it doesn't mean anything. Maybe the spouse or intruder who started your demise wants to get rid of you so they put it on the fridge and leave? Pretty far-fetched, I know, but stuff happens. Meanwhile, by the time you somehow verify if the DNR is legit, it's too late.

Well, that scenario is really going out on a limb. I think I've had too much coffee. Just ignore me.
`
 
Lara said:
Yikes @charry

And how do first responders know if the DNR was really left by you on the fridge? Just because your name is on it doesn't mean anything. Maybe the spouse or intruder who started your demise wants to get rid of you so they put it on the fridge and leave? Pretty far-fetched, I know, but stuff happens. Meanwhile, by the time you somehow verify if the DNR is legit, it's too late.

Well, that scenario is really going out on a limb. I think I've had too much coffee. Just ignore me.
`
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Lara you scare me. You'd make a good murderer.
 
my dad died from pancreatic cancer many years ago. from diagnosis, he made it abundantly clear he didn't want to be in the hospital. also made it very clear that he didn't want to be resuscitated. toward the end... hospice people were life-savers. dad had NOTHING in writing, let alone official/notarized. was advised that when the end came to NOT call 911... to call them. if emts had brought him back, i know he would have been SO mad!
 
My mother had several witnessed copies of her DNR. There was a big red DNR sign posted on the wall facing the front door and one on the refrigerator. Both were accompanied by a copy of the official signed forms. There were also signs to call hospice. Of course, she was never alone during those last couple of months but we weren't taking chances. I also had all my power of attorney and Healthcare advocate papers with me. We carried a copy of the DNR and other papers with us the few times we took her out.

She was most adamant about not being resuscitated and was ready to go.. It calmed her to know all was in order.
 
feywon said:
As i understand it we can now get a bracelet or pendant similar to medical alert ones that inform paramedics of your DNR. They might be too busy trying to assess your situation to go hunting in house, but generally check for medical alert jewelry because you might be allergic to a common med.

You also might want to check the laws in your country, or state in case of USA, as they vary. In some places an immediate family member can override your written instructions.

As to when it's ok to make your wishes well known--whenever you decide on them. i think it's a good idea to talk with family about it as well. Whatever conditions, health issues or just the ravages of age have you certain, when you are---make it known spell out what is and isn't acceptable treatments. Choking on a bit of food is not the equivalent to a massive stroke or heart attack.
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Good points Feywon. There was just an episode on 9-1-1 Lone Star where one of the EMTs resuscitated a woman found on the floor after her frantic sister called 911. The woman, a terminal cancer patient was wearing a DNR bracelet but had on long sleeves (which ostensibly covered the bracelet). She woke up soon after they started working on her and was angry and told them she had a DNR, showing the bracelet. She decided to sue the EMT, the fire department and the city for $1 each, just to make her point but also asked that the EMT be fired. The lawyer said the case might work in the EMT's favor because the long sleeves hid the bracelet and the sister never told them of the DNR. Later the EMT admitted that she did see the bracelet but didn't have the heart to let the woman die in front of her sister. At the end, the woman was going to drop the case anyway but died. The sister came to the station and gave the EMT the bracelet, at her late sister's wishes, to remind her that people who request DNRs deserve to be heard and their wishes honored. I really do believe they pull some of these story lines from real life cases

Re the OP: My living will was left with my doctor and the system here is similar to @jimintoronto described. Other doctor's and I'm sure the affiliated hospitals could access a copy in minutes.
 
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