CPR can crack ribs and only succeeds longterm in restarting a heart 20% of the time --

[DeschutesRiver]

208. Thanks for that link as well re family statement. Although these threads have Terry Schiavo aspects

- though in that old case it was the religious right (who bleats for a small government that stays out of their personal business) who spent their every waking hour shrilling that they knew best how this vegatative woman's business should be done, and that was that she be kept alive. Period, because that is what they wanted for themselves, so same for her. No matter what her family said about it. It appears on this thread that some do not care what the deceased thought, nor those who knew her best, either. The posters weren't there, but they know better! They know how ALL these situations go! Which might be comforting to think so, but it isn't actually so, no matter how much we wish it were so. I don't know if having experiences with these kind of issues would result in a different kind of behavior - some people just can't believe that other people might have actual different opinions on these life/death matters, and because of that perspective, often rush to judgment rather than seeking all available facts first.

I have seen some posts where it is possible those posters might have a different take once they speak from place of reality, and not just from theory. But I am really glad you posted what you did, and that there is a discussion of this issue taking place - because not a one of us gets to actually escape death, and it may provoke reflection that is a bit deeper regarding how each of us wishes to handle the inevitable event.

The only good news for me is that not only can a person fill out a general health directive or DNR, but because I live in Oregon there are limited situations in which I can make a choice for myself if I have a terminal illness - I am more used to that idea angering conservatives, rather than progressives. But in either case, I can do as I wish which is what matters to me. Regardless of whether it is the same choice another human would make or not.

And better - I also have a wide range of people I know and if one is determined, no, not even the most staunch "you can't decide this for yourself" advocate, whether on the right or left, can stop a me from making this choice for myself. That is true for anyone, if they are realistic about it and plan for things. That said, no one should have to put such "plan b's" for uncertain circumstances in place behind curtains or in back alleys. But it should be out in the open, though I doubt it will happen here in America in my lifetime.