Making Wishes Known

Making Wishes Known

April brings all kinds of special events… Holy Week and Easter, spring, paying income tax, spring cleaning, preparing for May graduations—the list goes on and on. There is yet another day to add to the list April 16—National Healthcare Decisions Day.

What is meant by Healthcare Decisions? Other phrases would be “living will” or “final wishes.” This is actually a gift to your loved ones, as it allows them to know how you want to be cared for, and what decisions you want honored if you became critically ill.

I have to tell you about this discussion with our son Jon, when he was a teenager. Life with Jon has never been dull..

Me: “Jon, if they came to you and said I was very ill, and they could either do interventions that would allow me to live longer but I would be in pain and not know where I am, or they could let nature take its course, what would you tell them to do?

Jon—looking horrified: “I would tell them to call my sister!!”

Me: “Ohhhh Kaaayyy…Let’s try this again. Think about how I have lived my life, my values, and what’s important to me and then, what would you say?”

Jon: “I would tell them to let nature take its course.”

Me: “That’s right.”

One form of a living will is the 5 Wishes document. This document is recognized in Louisiana as a valid form of a living will, and includes not only the medical aspects of care, but also the spiritual and emotional aspects of what is important to each individual.

Please join me on Sunday, April 27th at 11:30 in the Conference Room to have lunch and learn more about this valuable resource and gift to your family. This should last about 60-90 minutes and we’ll discuss not only the 5 Wishes, but also advance planning for one’s service, funeral traditions at St. Luke’s, anatomical donation, how to get your living will incorporated into your electronic medical record, etc. Please let me know if you are able to come via email at bwilliams@stlukesbr.org, or if you have any questions. Family members are welcome also!

‍

Faithfully yours,

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Becky Williams

Director of Health Ministries

‍

PS: I have completed my 5 Wishes, so Jon won’t have to call his sister….

‍