Advanced Directive advice or comments please...

[DesertDeuces]

I've got a question about Advanced Directives. The last time I was hospitalized with severe abdominal pain, swelling and obstruction, the doctor asked me if I wanted them to keep working to keep me alive or if I wanted them to do just the minimum. I said I want to stay alive and the doctor looked annoyed at my answer. Really!

Can you figure this one? Why would a doctor be upset that I wanted them to help me stay alive? I'm 73 with CHF and AFIB, a kidney tumor and the intestinal problem (and other stuff, LOL). Anyone got a clue? Am I too old to keep around?

[Jjflash]

Hiya desert deuces,sorry for the upset you've gone thru.Its a disgraceful situation he's put you into.And no,you're not at all old.Was anyone else on the ward when he said this,any kind of witness,because he is way out of order.Have you got in touch with the ward staff head.If you haven't,please contact that person privately to make your complaint a formal one.Or better still,get in touch with the head honcho of your hospital,this rogue cannot ever even think that way.If you have a close family member with you,you should take this further.He can't be allowed to play judge and jury,you've got enough stress going on without this idiot adding to it.Your situation has really angered me.Please get some family support because these are totally the wrong type of people to be in this position.I hope you're back at home now or on another ward cos this situ is plain wrong.dont handle this all on your own,some moral family support will help cos they would also feel disgusted about this.keep us informed on here because you're bound to get plenty of support on here for sure.hope you get back well again.thinking of you.

[DesertDeuces in reply to Jjflash]

thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, there were no witnesses. At least he just frowned and didn't open his mouth to complain to me. It was a very uncomfortable feeling, though.

[Hidden]

Ur choice n "no"...ur def not too old to keep around.Shame on that doc..the nerve of him.

I'd actually report that doc.

[DesertDeuces in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it was nervy of him. Must be nice to be young and healthy rather than being older and disabled like me. Maybe I'm not valuable to him but my life is valuable to me.

[Scotsman53]

There's no way he should have reacted like that, but the question was perfectly reasonable. My father was under a Do Not Resuscitate order, and he and the family were entirely happy about it, given his condition. Well, not happy of course, but we knew it was for the best.

[DesertDeuces]

So sorry to hear about your father, Scotsman53, The question was indeed reasonable, but I feel that I'd like to live my life as long as I am feeling that 'joie de vivre' enough to have some enjoyment in life. If I get to the point where the hospital is the only place I can be, yes, I'll do a Do Not Resuscitate.