Thread: Who's got a Medical enduring power of attorney?

Originally Posted by p38arover

Both my wife and I are organ donors and also registered with the body donation program at UTS (University of Technology Sydney) Body Donation Program | University of Technology Sydney. Our daughter is aware of and happy with our decisions.

So why not add a note to your will and spell it out, because I can say from experience that some children become squeamish about this when it affects their parents.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

So why not add a note to your will and spell it out, because I can say from experience that some children become squeamish about this when it affects their parents.

We only have our daughter now. She's a doctor and understands. We carry body donor program cards and organ donor cards. There is little point in paying a solicitor to update our wills just yet.

She knows we might end up on a body farm and be left to rot or be dissected by medical students (even though a lot of students no longer do dissections - she did).

In addition some bodies may be used for taphonomic and forensic research to assist law enforcement agencies and emergency services in criminal and disaster investigations.

Our bodies have to be collected within 24 hours of death so we may never actually be used.
Our deaths may be too traumatic for the bodies to be used.

My corneas are probably useless for donation having been laser abraded 20+ years ago. My kidneys might be useful to someone. A friend died awaiting a transplant so if my kidneys will save someone from dialysis, all the better.

Originally Posted by p38arover

We only have our daughter now. She's a doctor and understands. We carry body donor program cards and organ donor cards. There is little point in paying a solicitor to update our wills just yet.

She knows we might end up on a body farm and be left to rot or be dissected by medical students (even though a lot of students no longer do dissections - she did).



Our bodies have to be collected within 24 hours of death so we may never actually be used.
Our deaths may be too traumatic for the bodies to be used.

My corneas are probably useless for donation having been laser abraded 20+ years ago. My kidneys might be useful to someone. A friend died awaiting a transplant so if my kidneys will save someone from dialysis, all the better.

Fair enough. Sounds like you're sorted.
I am a bit strong on this because I once had to intervene in the case of an uncle whose family were refusing to accept that he was dead and gone, even though the scans showed nil brain function, but they just couldn't face making the decision to accept that there was no chance of survival for him. It was about them, not what was best for him.
I had to make myself unpopular by encouraging them to accept that they were only harming him and it was time to let him go. Not pleasant.

I expect I may soon have to make a similar nuisance of myself when my mother-in-law, who has Parkinson's, passes, as the FIL is likely to drop his bundle completely and refuse to accept it is over.

Originally Posted by p38arover

If you have more than one child, nominate one of them. Families can disagree over treatment which can delay it or prevent it. Having one nominee simplifies it all.

I do agree with this, but having been in this position meant I didn't talk to some family for a long time, these things always end up with complications you never thought could eventuate.

Originally Posted by jsp

I do agree with this, but having been in this position meant I didn't talk to some family for a long time, these things always end up with complications you never thought could eventuate.

Yes, it's rarely easy.

Originally Posted by jsp

I didn't talk to some family for a long time

Fortunately, I don't care if I don't talk to my siblings, etc. My twin sister doesn't talk to me anyway since I called her a snob.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Fortunately, I don't care if I don't talk to my siblings, etc. My twin sister doesn't talk to me anyway since I called her a snob.

Funny how fast that can change Ron - given the right circumstances.... My sister and I have been pretty distant for most of our adult life..... but since mum passed last year - we are probably closer than we have ever been.


And getting back to the thread topic - a medical power of attorney is something I really should sort out - Dad having one for Mum made things far easier when the **** hit the fan. We've re done Dad's since she's gone... my sister is his medical POA and I'm his financial - in reality we are very unlikely to make any major decisions alone anyway, but it's certainly something important to have if a loved one ends up unable to make choices for themselves...


Thanks for the thread Mario.... you've reminded me of something important I have been putting off.

We don't have one ourselves as yet. But my other half who is a Doc strongly encourages people to get one. She is very clear that she wants the plug pulled on herself. Like most Doc's she has seen far too many people just slowly rotting away.