Health Care Proxy

As some of you know, I'm having surgery next week.

When I went for pre-surgical testing they gave me a Health Care Proxy form to fill out. Has anyone ever had to fill one of these out?????

Its only shoulder surgery, so none of these issues would even be a remote possibility to deal with ... but its something worth taking care of before hand.

Now that we're married, I would have my hubby as my 'health care agent' ... its just brings up a lot of things that I'm not sure we've ever talked about ... and things i'm not even totally 100% sure that I know how I feel about, so I guess that's what we'll be doing this weekend

Of course, there are many that we already have discussed in our 7 years together!

This is the list the form includes ... which is, of course, not the complete list ....

* artificial respiration

* artificial nutrition and hydration

* cpr

* anti-psychotic medication

* electric shock therapy

* antibiotics

* surgical procedures

* dialysis

* transplantation

* blood transfusions

* abortion

* sterilization

When I mentioned it to DH last night, he promised not to have me sterilized.

Who would be your 'health care agent'?

Do you know how you feel about the things above ... Does DH know how you feel about all of them?

DH and I have filled them out, and we are proxys for both sets of parents.

Good to know that DH won't have you sterilized.

Being a RN, we deal with Health Care Proxies All the Time.
In Fact it is a MUST in a patient's Chart.

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Posted by vmystique33

I dont get the sterilization?

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I think she means like being sterile... as in not being able to have children

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Posted by vmystique33

I dont get the sterilization?

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Me niether

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Posted by hayleyandsteve

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Posted by vmystique33

I dont get the sterilization?

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I think she means like being sterile... as in not being able to have children

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Ahha !! Im slow thank you !!

I guess if something should happen in surgery or something...
Covering All Grounds

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Posted by PreshusSmurf

As some of you know, I'm having surgery next week.

When I went for pre-surgical testing they gave me a Health Care Proxy form to fill out. Has anyone ever had to fill one of these out?????

Its only shoulder surgery, so none of these issues would even be a remote possibility to deal with ... but its something worth taking care of before hand.

Now that we're married, I would have my hubby as my 'health care agent' ... its just brings up a lot of things that I'm not sure we've ever talked about ... and things i'm not even totally 100% sure that I know how I feel about, so I guess that's what we'll be doing this weekend

Of course, there are many that we already have discussed in our 7 years together!

This is the list the form includes ... which is, of course, not the complete list ....

* artificial respiration

* artificial nutrition and hydration

* cpr

* anti-psychotic medication

* electric shock therapy

* antibiotics

* surgical procedures

* dialysis

* transplantation

* blood transfusions

* abortion

* sterilization

When I mentioned it to DH last night, he promised not to have me sterilized.

Who would be your 'health care agent'?

Do you know how you feel about the things above ... Does DH know how you feel about all of them?

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I think Steve probably knows how I feel about most of these things... after his accident we made sure to talk about our wants/needs should something happen. It was a subject we had briefly discussed before, but made sure to get more in depth after what happened to him..

Its funny - I was recently telling DH that we should do our health care proxies, wills, get life insurance etc.

I didn't realize there were so many diff options! We only discussed being brain dead or coma and artificial respiration.

Like you, I'm not sure how I feel about all of these things - I wasn't asked to fill one out b/f my shoulder surgery though.

In case I forget, I wanted to wish you lots of luck on your surgery - now that I'm 4+ weeks past mine, I can tell you that it willll get better!!!!

I have seen the worst working in the hospital.
Health Care Proxies VS DNR's

I have had my shares of Codes, & dealing with CPR/Ventilators/Meds

DH is a Paramedic
So we know what each other wants & doesn't want.

My sister had to fill out one prior to her hip surgery and she made me her health care proxy. She discussed her wishes with me prior to her surgery and made sure that I was clear with what she wanted should anything happen. Her doctor made sure that we were given the original form and he made a copy her for her chart. I kept the original and gave my sister a copy when she was in rehab.

I would have DH as my health care proxy and my sister as an alternate if something should happen to both DH & I.

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Posted by ruzi777

I have seen the worst working in the hospital.
Health Care Proxies VS DNR's

I have had my shares of Codes, & dealing with CPR/Ventilators/Meds

DH is a Paramedic
So we know what each other wants & doesn't want.

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i know! even though i don't do hands on care, i'm a social worker and worked on a ventilator unit for about 3 years and just saw the absolute most horrible things u can imagine. car accidents, gun shots to the head, falls, terminal illnesses, (many who were in there 20s) and more often than not, they didnt have health care proxies. people truly dont realize how important that single piece of paper is.

my best friend is my HCP and has been since 20 years old. she is one of the few who will truly follow my wishes instead of second-guessing themselves.

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Posted by vmystique33

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Posted by hayleyandsteve

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Posted by vmystique33

I dont get the sterilization?

---

I think she means like being sterile... as in not being able to have children

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Ahha !! Im slow thank you !!

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Yes. Sorry if my joke was vague.

I have one filled out with DH as my proxy and if he's not able to do it, my Mom. I am my Mom's.

Jess, good luck with the surgery!!

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Posted by MrsQ-in2007

Its funny - I was recently telling DH that we should do our health care proxies, wills, get life insurance etc.

I didn't realize there were so many diff options! We only discussed being brain dead or coma and artificial respiration.

Like you, I'm not sure how I feel about all of these things - I wasn't asked to fill one out b/f my shoulder surgery though.

In case I forget, I wanted to wish you lots of luck on your surgery - now that I'm 4+ weeks past mine, I can tell you that it willll get better!!!!

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Yes, exactly ... we've talked about DNRs ... looking at this list was a little overwhelming.

Especially since the surgery is just arthroscopic ... but the truth is that its better to be prepared.

Thank you so much for the good wishes!

i'm gonna bite the bullet and ask (don't beat me up!)

what's health care proxy?

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Posted by bonitachyc

i'm gonna bite the bullet and ask (don't beat me up!)

what's health care proxy?

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No reason to beat you up!

Its a form that you fill out indicated who you would want to make decisions for you in the event that you are unable to make them for yourself.

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Posted by dgirl0114

I have one filled out with DH as my proxy and if he's not able to do it, my Mom. I am my Mom's.

Jess, good luck with the surgery!!

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Thanks Helen!

BUMP for weekend-ers