Missouri's Living Will Law allows a person (the declarant) to direct his or her doctor and medical facility to withhold or withdraw medical procedures that merely prolong the dying process.
The "Living Will" must be in writing, dated, and signed by the declarant or by a person other than the declarant at the declarant's express direction. If the living will is not in the declarant's handwriting, two persons must witness it. Anyone making a living will should always keep the original and give copies to his or her doctor, hospital (for inclusion in medical files) and family members.
The living will can be revoked in any manner by which the declarant can show he or she wants to revoke it.
WHEN DOES THE LIVING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE?
The living will becomes effective only when the declarant, suffering from a terminal condition, is no longer able to make and communicate treatment decisions. It is important to remember that so long as the declarant is able to make and communicate treatment decisions, those decisions control and the living will is not effective.
WHAT THE LIVING WILL DOES AND DOES NOT DO
The living will directs the doctor and hospital not to perform any medical procedures that merely keep the declarant alive. The living will also prevents any health care professional or medical care facility who acts pursuant to a living will from being subject to civil or criminal liability. The living will does not authorize mercy killing or any affirmative act to shorten life. It also does not prevent administration of medication or any medical procedures necessary to provide comfort or to reduce pain.
DEALING WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN AND HOSPITAL
Some doctors and health care facilities do not recognize the Living Will as a means for a patient to control his or her own medical treatment. These doctors and facilities are required to take all reasonable steps to transfer the patient to a doctor and facility that will honor the living will. To prevent any complications in honoring your living will it is very important that you discuss your wishes with your doctor before you sign one.
Note: The above information is from the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri . The senior citizen’s handbook. Laws and programs affecting Senior Citizens in Missouri .
JUST SOME REMINDERS:
1. Not all states honor the same living will.
2. Some states require 100% agreement from ALL FAMILY MEMBERS on the living will.
3. Make sure all your family membersknow about your wishes concerning your living will.
4. When traveling take along a copy of your living will. You never know what might happen.
5. Make sure the living will is signed and notarized.
WrittenBy: Mary D. Johnson
Learning to laugh at yourself can be hard sometimes, but laughter is a big part of getting well at least it was for me. Sometimes, I forget a part of me is not attached. At times I find myself being totally embarrassed but I have learned to pick up and go on. I remember, about 8 months after my breast surgery my little girl begging me to please take her to White Water to ride the waves. I didn't really feel that well, taking chemo just wore me out. But I knew that being only eight years old our daughter had to deal with a lot too. My husband and I decided that maybe getting away for the day was what we all needed. I had to find a way to make sure my expensive breast prostheses stayed put and I didn't loose it out in the waves. I took one of my husbands white socks and placed the breast form inside and then rolled it up and pinned it in my bra that should take care of it I didn't see anyway for the prostheses to get out.
When we got to White Water the waves were a little cool but my husband and daughter jumped right in. I told them I would be in a little later. I was making sure everything was still in tack. Finally, I decided to go in and join the fun. I few waves hit me, everything seemed good so I forgot all about the prostheses, and started having fun. It was just what we needed a beautiful day enjoying the family and the weather. About 30 minutes of catching my daughter as she rode the waves, I began to get tired. Just then the life guard blew his whistle and said," Everybody out for 20 minutes." I thought that was a good idea, we could all rest for awhile. On the last wave my daughter said," Mom why do you have a white sock on your back?" shocked I said, “What?” Oh my goodness I had lost my breast prostheses somewhere out here and I was not about to get out of the water or stand up until I found it. The life guard blew his whistle again and shouted, "Lady out of the water."
I smiled, although I felt like crying. I keep repeating, "Where oh where are you my little breast form." I then said, “I can't get out just yet I have lost something." The life guard told me," Go report it to the lost and found department." I told him, “No way." The next thing I knew everyone was looking at me and the little kids were saying," Look mommy the lady won't get out of the water." The waves had now stopped and the water was down around my knees. I was not leaving, until I found my breast form. The life guard said," This is my final warning lady, get out of the water, now." I started towards the opening when all at once a small boy yells," Look mom. What is this thing? It hit me in the head." The small boy was holding up my breast form showing his mother the very thing I was looking for. Have you ever tried running in water? It's hard to do, but my legs plowed through the water splashing water everywhere. The life guard was also running right behind me. He was gaining on me but I didn't care. Reaching the other side of the water opening, I yelled out, “Son that is mine." The little boy looked up and said, “What is it?" I told him, “I am afraid of the water and it is my chin raft to keep my head up and out of the water so I don’t drown." He looked at me and said, " If I were you lady, I would get something a little bigger and better because this raft doesn't look too safe. You could drown real easy, if you ask me." As I was reaching for my prostheses, the life guard grabbed it before I could. He turned to me and said, "This is what you’re looking for?” Embarrassed I said, "Yes, this is what I am looking for."
Well you might have the kid believing this is your life raft but I don’t think it would save a person." I asked if I could please have it back, he laughed and said, “I almost threw you out and wrote you up over a ball of rubber. Why do you have this thing in here in the first place?" I took a deep breath and said to the life guard, "Look young man, let me introduce you to something you don't have a clue about. I certainly hope you are enjoying yourself, squeezing my breast form and rolling it around in your hand like a stress ball. I suggest you return it to me at once, before I report you for fondling me in front of several hundred spectators.
The young life guard's face turned deep red, he all but dropped the prostheses back into my hand and said, "I am sure glad you found this item when you did, because I would have had to try and describe the item over the loud speaker from the lost and found area and I surly had no idea that this is what one looked like." I told him, "Have a good day and remember the next time someone looses something it may not have any value to one person but it could be a life saver to someone else." He smiled and said," I am sorry for the embarrassment but I thought you were just being stubborn I said, "Don't forget young man there are many different kinds, and shapes of life rafts so don't ever assume you have seen them all." We then walked out of the water together.
Tom, Debbie, and I won’t ever forget that day. How could one report something like that to the lost and found department to explain what you thought was a breast form to a young life guard was just a large ball of rubber. I realized at that point not everyone looks at things the same way we do. Thank God. (Moments with Mary)
Written By: Mary D. Johnson
Just A Little Time
Please could I have just a little time with you, so I could share a sunrise or two? Maybe a hi, good morning and a I love you.
I miss the smell of your cologne, the softness of your face, your smile and touching of your hand and your warm embrace.
I would give anything for just a little time with you, but now you’re gone and I really do miss all the things I didn’t take the time to do with you.
The days start off busy like they use to be, but now I take just a little time to watch the sunrise and say good morning dear I love you, before I start my day.
So take the time to tell someone you really care, let them hear you love them, listen to what they have to say and share, because in a quick moment it could all be taken away. When your loved ones are gone there is nothing you can undo, so share just a little time with the ones so very dear to you.
Written by: Mary D. Johnson
