I’m angrier than a person who wants a DNR Order over the fact that I didn’t think of this sooner. If you’ve been reading this site for the past couple of days, you know that I’ve been trying to get legal documentation known as a Do Not Resuscitate Order.
If I weren’t so angry, I’d be happy that the paperwork was signed today, making it nice and legal. Yesterday, I made an appointment with my doctor and today, there was a process to getting what I wanted. His nurse and medical students came in and she went over the paperwork and then had a discussion with me about the consequences of the order and she made sure that I know what I’m doing.
The doctor then came in and asked a series of questions designed to make sure that I’m competent and not suicidal. After all the formalities were done, he signed two documents, mentioning that I am his youngest patient to have a DNR. He then took a photograph of me with my DNR necklace to put in my file.
He really made sure that I was sure about this, which I appreciate, and I recognize he did what he did to give me what I was after while shielding himself from liability. He is free from all liability though: this was all me.
When I told him about all the research that I’ve done and that I’ve been considering this for almost one year, he signed off. The two documents that I now have, documents that are legally binding, are:
- Nonhospital Order Not to Resuscitate (DNR Order)
- Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
Both of these orders combined mean that I am not to be revived or treated in any way, shape or form, no matter the situation. Even if I become unconscious because of something as simple as heat sickness or some other mundane “medical emergency,” I am not to be treated at all. First responders will be required to not provide treatment.
This means that I might be wheeled out of my home or the scene of the emergency with a white sheet over my body. Or, I’ll be wheeled out barely alive.
Or, if I’m alive at the scene but pass in the ambulance, they’ll advise the hospital that I have a legally binding DNR an an MOLST. That is how I want it. That is how I need it.
Hopefully, the hospital will honor that DNR and MOLST and any and all efforts to save me will not be undertaken, but just to be safe, I have provided the hospitals with copies of my MOLST to be placed in my file. I only needed to send documentation to two hospitals as one hospital has numerous hospitals in its network and the records are centralized.
As previously stated, I am not suicidal, but if I have a grand mal seizure that causes permanent brain damage, I do not want to be alive to live like that. Denying the brain of oxygen, of course, will, more likely than not, cause permanent damage. Hence the documentation.
I do have a seizure disorder as well as a heart condition that could cause me to lose oxygen and cause brain damage, which I just won’t live with. Also, I have neurofibromatosis type 1. This could cause serious quality of life issues and it’s one of the many reasons that I came to the conclusion: a DNR and MOLST is a must.
I am glad that everything got resolved. I feel at peace now, knowing that my wishes are documented and that I shouldn’t have some wannabe hero EMT try to save my life even after knowing of the paperwork.
As I mentioned previously, I have spoken to the ambulance companies in the area, and I’ve ensured that I’ve done what’s needed to get their personnel to not even make an effort.
My bracelet should be here next week, and that, combined with my necklace, will ensure that I will get what I want: a peaceful passing should permanent brain damage happen.