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Living with DyingArrow
Age 51-60
Interview 17  

Interview 17

Age at Interview: 58
Sex: Female
Age at Diagnosis: 56
Background: Educational psychologist (part-time), divorced, 3 children
Brief outline:Diagnosed with cancer of the kidney in 2001, with metastases in the lung and bone. Treated with surgery, Interferon, and radiotherapy (to bone), and also complementary therapy.


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She intends to make a “living will” because she would hate to be resuscitated if she were “on the way out”.

 



Earlier you said you had some opinions and thoughts about the “living will”

Yes, yes. Actually when I went to remake my will shortly after having my diagnosis, I asked the solicitor how to go about making that and he wasn't all that sure but he kindly researched it on the web and gave me some printed forms which to be honest I haven't filled in though it is my intention to. 

I was thinking last night in the concert 'ooooh you know, I want to be here in this lovely world as long as I can be'. That's with the proviso that once my quality of life becomes so poor that I am in pain and I can't do anything or whatever. I certainly don't want to be kept alive just for the sake of it. So I must get on and do the form. As I understand it at the moment, making a “living will” doesn't have any legal force but my GP suggested putting one everywhere that I could think of: with the solicitor, with her, with my children... so that if I am taken into hospital at any time or unconscious or whatever, they are likely to know.  

I definitely don't want to be resuscitated if I am on the way out. I can think of nothing worse really. I have to say, now we have been talking about, “Can I be frank with my children?” I would certainly give a copy to my daughter. I suppose, I could broach it with my sons but I would slightly hesitate 'cause I think that would worry them. So maybe I'll put it with my GP and in my hospital file, I suppose is another sensible place, with the solicitor.
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