I currently reside in North Carolina. I'm 31 (not that old yet) and in good physical condition, yet I've seen enough of life to be aware that this can change at any time and for any reason. My question applies to the rights of a patient with a treatable fatal or terminal illness to deny treatment. I know it may seem odd, but I strongly feel that should I contract some form of terminal or fatal illness I should have the ability to decide whether to allow the disease to carry out it's course or not. My question is whether I need to file this desire to prevent anyone from attempting to declare me incompetent should I become diagnosed with just such a disease. Make sense? If not let's take an example.
Say I was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer that may be arrested through chemo or radiation therapy. Let's also say that I decide to allow the cancer to carry out it's course, and would prefer to pass away rather than go through the rigors of said treatments. Or perhaps a form of heart disease that would require a bypass of some sort, and I choose not to go through the surgery, instead taking my chances. Do I need to file an Advanced Medical Directive to prevent anyone from contesting my right to make these decisions? I understand the concept of the Living Will and the desire to have my wishes on file in the event I am unable to communicate them. But is there a chance that, even if capable of communicating my wishes, said desires could be contradicted through legal means without prior directive?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I have plenty of time before this would become necessary, but it is something I feel quite strongly about and do not wish to wait too much longer.
Thanks in advance for any response!
Say I was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer that may be arrested through chemo or radiation therapy. Let's also say that I decide to allow the cancer to carry out it's course, and would prefer to pass away rather than go through the rigors of said treatments. Or perhaps a form of heart disease that would require a bypass of some sort, and I choose not to go through the surgery, instead taking my chances. Do I need to file an Advanced Medical Directive to prevent anyone from contesting my right to make these decisions? I understand the concept of the Living Will and the desire to have my wishes on file in the event I am unable to communicate them. But is there a chance that, even if capable of communicating my wishes, said desires could be contradicted through legal means without prior directive?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I have plenty of time before this would become necessary, but it is something I feel quite strongly about and do not wish to wait too much longer.
Thanks in advance for any response!