Health Conversations to Have “Just in case…”

Dana Nolan, MS LMHCLicensed Mental Health Counselor

No One Wants A Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Unexpected health problems are scary. Many people are uncomfortable thinking or

talking about issues that scare them (aka “avoidance”). Pressure to focus only on the positive Human nature to deny our own mortality Fear of the unknown (our own death or losing our love

ones)

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Addressing Healthcare Decisions and Conversations Head-on

Some cancer patients find comfort in preparing for the “worst case scenario” by:

Updating their last will and testament

Researching end-of-life care options

Completing a living will

Designating someone to make healthcare decisions in case of incapacitation

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Benefits of Starting Conversations

About Your Mesothelioma Gives permission to discuss openly health concerns

between the patient and loved ones.

Patients wishes and desires are known Loved ones have permission to offer their support

and ask questions

Loved ones can say “I don’t think I can handle

that.”

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Common Fears at the End-of-life

Mesothelioma sufferers have shared the following fears:

I don’t want to be a burden to my loved ones

I am afraid of uncontrolled pain or incapacity

My family will not let me go when its time I don’t want my family to argue over my care

because they don’t know what I want

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Advance Directives

Living Will

Anatomical Donation

Healthcare surrogate

designation/healthcare power of

attorney

DNR (Do not resuscitate)

AND (Allow natural death)

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Living Will

Difference between Last Will and Testament and Living Will

Living Will: Signed and witnessed legal document which states what kind of medical care you want or don’t want at the end of your life. Becomes effective when patient is no longer able to communicate and make own decisions.

Do not need an attorney to complete a living will.

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Living Will (Cont.)

No one can be forced to complete a living will.

Hospitals and nursing homes are REQUIRED to ask if you have a living will (or healthcare surrogate) when admitted.

If you do have a living will, it is recommended that your physicians have a copy so they can better care for you.

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Living Will (Cont.)

Depending on the state, living wills are known as “medical directives,” “health care proxies,” or “advanced health care directives.”

Some states have a standardized or statutory form, while other states allow you to draft your own document.

Most hospitals have their own Living Will forms that meet the legal criteria of your state and can give you a form for free.

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Health Care Surrogate

Also can be knows as a “healthcare proxy” or “durable medical power of attorney”.

A health care surrogate is someone you have designated to be your representative to make medical decisions if you are not able to make them yourself.

This must be documented, signed and witnessed.

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Health Care Surrogate (Cont.)

Don’t need an attorney to complete. Recommended to designate a primary health

care surrogate AS WELL AS an alternates in case the primary surrogate is not available or well enough to make decisions.

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DNR/AND

“Do not resuscitate” is an agreement between a patient and a physician that withhold or withdraw cardiopulmonary resuscitation should the patient’s heart stop or the patient stop breathing.

See Florida’s DNR order (Next Slide).

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DNR/AND

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DNR vs. AND There is a movement within ethics and healthcare

to change the name of a “AND” (Allow Natural Death).

Some patients and family members have unrealistic expectations of CPR when used on a frail, terminally ill.

Many physicians who specialize in end of life diseases have suggested that “allow natural death” is more realistic and less emotional.

Sourced from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241061/

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Anatomical Donation

Many cancer patients would like to donate their organs after death.

Depending on the type of cancer and treatment, there may be some restrictions on what can be safely donated. However, it is still safe to be listed as an organ donor.

Family and medical professionals will make decisions about what can be donated at the appropriate time.

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Conclusions

Some mesothelioma patients and caregivers are reluctant to talk about end of life issues.

Taking the time and finding the courage to do so can eliminate the anxiety and uncertainty about

what the patient wants if treatment isn’t successful.

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Contact Information

1-800-615-2270

(800) 615-2270