Let’s talk about the three choices, because this is the part people don’t fully understand when they fill out an advance directive. However, before we go any further on this topic, hear me clearly when I say this—Little RayRay can’t make any healthcare decisions for you unless one of two things exists: you are unable to speak and have a terminal condition or permanent unconsciousness, or you choose to defer to your healthcare agent.
So now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s walk through your options.
Option A is for the people who say, “Do everything,” and when I say everything, I mean everything—medications, CPR, feeding tubes, ventilator—do whatever it takes to keep me alive, even if I have a terminal condition and I can’t speak, eat, or drink for the rest of my life, because the goal here is to prolong life no matter what that looks like.
Option B is for the person who says, “If I’m lying in a bed with a terminal condition and unable to speak, or I’m never going to wake up, then let me go,” and that means you don’t want life-extending treatment, you only want medication to keep you comfortable as you pass away.
Option C is where most people land, but it’s also the one that requires you to slow down and think, because this is where you pick and choose what you want and what you don’t want, which means you may say yes to some treatments and no to others depending on what matters most to you.
And this is where people get stuck, because they don’t want to think about it, but if you don’t choose, someone else will, and they will be making that decision under pressure, in fear, and without knowing exactly what you would have wanted.
So the real question becomes—are you willing to take that risk?
Because this isn’t just about filling out a form, this is about making sure your voice is still heard when you can’t speak for yourself.
And if you’re not sure what your choices should be, I’ve created a quick survey that will help you walk through your preferences so you’re not guessing when you fill this out.
I’m challenging you to live prepared—just in case it rains.