Pastor, I Have a Question May-June 2013

QUESTION: My spouse has Alzheimer’s disease and is under the care of hospice. They have asked me to prepare an Advance Directive and a DNR in case first responders should be needed. Should I?
ANSWER: Our gracious God gives us life. He keeps us alive as long as He wills. He values human life. Jesus, God’s Son, lived, died, and rose again to rescue all sinners from death. By faith in Jesus, God considers us to be holy. God gives us the sure and certain promise of eternal life through Jesus. By Baptism, God recreated us in His image. Jesus ascended into heaven to prepare a place for each of us. There, we will live forever. He will take us home when He wills. We trust the Lord.
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:20–21).
God gives us tools to preserve life. Doctors, nurses, medicine, surgery, hospitals, and all types of treatments are God’s gifts to preserve our lives. The primary goal of medical treatment is to cure and repair our bodies. There are other goals when cure is not possible: stabilization and preparation for death.
Hospice is God’s gift for patients preparing for death. A time may come when our doctors believe further treatment will not be successful, or worse, it might be painful and become a threat to life. With our doctor and advisers from hospice, we decide what treatments we want performed on us when a cure is no longer possible when death draws near. Hospice focuses on “comfort care” or “palliative care” when our lives are near the end.
An Advance Directive is a legal form. Each state regulates it. It is also called a living will. While we are in our right mind, we decide whether we want life support, food and water, and comfort care when we are terminal or at the end of life or in a persistent vegetative state.
A DNR (do not resuscitate) instructs EMTs (emergency medical technicians) about the treatment we want if our heart stops. Our doctor must also sign this form. It means that we do not want CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). EMTs will do everything else to help.
CPR is a great gift of God. We are encouraged to learn the techniques. But CPR is not always beneficial. It works best for those who are generally healthy otherwise. According to three separate medical sources, patients in nursing homes experience a 0 to 2 percent survival rate when undergoing CPR. Those who are already frail may suffer dangerous injuries in the process. These injuries may lead to a more painful death in the hospital.
Christians are well advised to prepare a living will. We will take the matter to the Lord in prayer. We don’t want to try to usurp the authority of God. We submit to His will. Times come when we must let go. While we are in our right mind and to relieve those who love us, we can express our desires. Should we be required to make these decisions for those we love, we will also consult with the Lord in prayer. We will seek His will in His word. We will consult with our doctor and our pastor. We will examine our hearts to ensure that our motives please God. And we joyfully commit our bodies and souls to the Lord’s gracious care.
Rev. Charles Keeler
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Winter Haven, FL
cjohnk@aol.com