Diane's Story, A Case Study of a DNR

My friend, Diane, lost her daughter Helen.  Diane watched Helen suffer through debilitating opioid addiction, which caused the breakdown of her digestive system. Helen had no Advanced Directive, Durable Power of Attorney, or POLST orders. She was hospitalized and diagnosed with small intestine breakdown.  Parts of her small intestine had died and needed to be removed.  The result of this very invasive surgery was the need to be on a feeding tube the rest of her life. (A tube inserted into her stomach).  Also, she spent much of her recovery time on a respirator unable to communicate. Diane could not make any medical decisions for her daughter because Helen had not put any care guidelines in place.  Helen expressed the wish to die, but nothing was official, so life-saving measures were practiced.

Diane was not of the best of health herself.  She had recently been hospitalized for congestive heart failure and pneumonia. After seeing her daughter suffer, she decided to be proactive.  Diane contacted and organization “Five Wishes” and together with me, she worked through all the questions asked for life intervention.  Diane came to the decision that she did not want a feeding tube, or to be intubated or receive CPR.  Yes, these were very hard decisions, but she was firm.

We filled out the worksheet and took it to her primary care physician.  The request was a POLST (Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) form.  Diane wanted it to state her status as DNR. (Do Not Resuscitate). The physician was in disagreement, because the DNR is usually issued for patients in a hospice situation.  Diane was sure of her choices, and held firm, and the physician agreed.

Recently, Diane had a heart attack that took her life.  If she had not had the DNR, they would have performed CPR, intubated her, installed a feeding tube, and kept her on life support.  The life she wanted to live would be no more.  Luckily, she did her job and died with the dignity and peace she desired. Ca