[Muramoursuard]

All the more reason to complete an advanced medical directive and limited power of attorney when one is well and able.

Execute multiple copies of the documents (and have them certified via a notary) then make certain that all current doctors and those who have been chosen to speak / act in your stead and who are named in the documents are given copies. Also, if entering a hospital have a copy of the documents placed in the patient folder (so that if the time comes no one has to scramble through your files at home).

These documents only go into effect if and when a patient is no longer able to communicate specific wishes (coma, mental incapacity).

In the case of a catastrophic illness where life support may be the normal course of action it becomes very complicated, even with these documents, for a hospital / medical team to remove a patient from the tubes / wires / meds.

But if a person makes their specific wishes clear, puts it in writing and has a strong ADVOCATE (spouse, family member, friend) to fight the bureaucracy (in recent years doctors / hospitals have gotten very lawyered-up in order to protect themselves in such situations) then it is far more likely that the end will play out in the manner that the patient has chosen.