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Is making yourself a DNR passive suicide? Absolutely not! In the United States we offer so many different treatments to different illnesses, that a person has not been allowed to die naturally for a very long time. Even CPR is something that has come about in the last 50 years. It used to be that when a person was dying, we would make them comfortable and let them die. We now have technology that can prolong a person's life for quite a while. We have dialysis for the kidneys, open heart and heart transplants, liver transplants, life support machines and breathing treatments to make sure people live longer.

People who are in their eighties, who have previously made themselves a "do not resuscitate" are brought to the hospital and put on life support because they have pneumonia and pneumonia is a reversible illness. Where is the line drawn? When do we let people die because it is their time to go? People with end stage cancer are brought to the hospital and put on life support because their family is not ready to let them go. These people who will not ever come off of the life support until the family realizes that they are torturing their loved one. We then do a terminal wean and let nature take it's course.

I believe that television shows and Doctors are to blame for people being allowed to be placed on life support when there is no hope of healing. If a person has end stage COPD or end stage cancer, are we prolonging their miserable existence by putting them on life support or are we prolonging their death and putting them in more pain. Television shows make it seem that if someone's heart stops and the hospital staff preforms CPR on them, not only are they brought back to life, but all of their other illnesses are cured also. Doctors allow family members to believe that there is hope when there is none. They allow the family to go on and on with treatment and life support even when their loved one's body is in decay.

When did we step away from the idea that it is not OK to let someone die? Sometimes, it is time to let a person just go naturally. Birth is a part of life, and death is also a part of life. Making sure that no one does CPR on you, is not suicide, it is dying naturally. There is nothing wrong with allowing that to happen to you or to a loved one. We really have gotten away from allowing a person to "die with dignity". If someone tells their family that they wish to die at home, that is a request that needs to be honored.
There are several ways that a person can make sure that their final wishes are honored and carried out.

1. Discuss with your family and loved ones your wishes as far as being put on life support.

2. Appoint a medical power of attorney. Make sure that this is someone who will be able to stand up to pressure if there is a argument amongst the family regarding life support. I have seen estranged family members, who are now suffering from guilt, want their family member kept alive artificially in the hopes that they will regain conscience, and allow for apologies. I have also seen vindictive relatives who want their dying "loved one" to suffer as long as possible.

3. Have a living will. This item is not one that is set in stone. It may or may not be honored depending on how your family reacts to you being ready to die.

4. Make sure that your doctor has copies of your legal papers (power of attorney)and your living will. Also make sure that your have discussed your wishes with your doctor.
Have all of this in place before a health crisis strikes.

Allowing yourself to be a DNR is not passive suicide, it is dying naturally.

Learn more about this author, Renee Dawson.
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