The gift of choice
By Lee Carter
October 31, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

When I visit the cemeteries on the Day of the Dead I wonder how many achieved the deaths that they would have chosen. We cannot choose when we will die, but we can often choose where and how. We can choose to use every weapon of modern medical technology to extend our lives as long as possible. However, I do not want to fight death. I want to receive medical treatment only if it is designed to cure me and bring me to a state of living productively and with my full mental faculties. To be kept alive by tubes is not what I choose. I choose to die at home with my friends, my stuff and my dogs.

Therefore, it is my responsibility to let my loved ones, persons who may agonize more than I over the importance of my life, know what I want. I choose. I fear pain more than death, so I choose not to feel agonizing pain. I hope to die with dignity. I hope not to be a burden, on my chosen family. I choose margarita parties over mojitos.

I have chosen to document this. No one will need to agonize over making decisions for me when I cannot. I believe doing this is a great gift to them. They, too, can know with certainty that I am dying as I chose to live. It is my right to choose.

Hospice San Miguel offers workshops beginning in November to help people complete their Advanced Directives (Living Wills). It covers all the health care decisions we may wish to make. It also makes it possible to designate a person to make decisions for us in case we are not able to do so. Workbooks will be provided for documenting the information your survivors would need to finalize your affairs. Health care groups for those who support and help during illness will be discussed.

Death is not a comfortable subject, but grit your teeth and give the gift of documenting your wishes. Email mail@hospicesma.org  or call 154-4387 for more information.