X-Message-Number: 25900 From: "Beth Bailey" <> Subject: CryoNet #25889: Living Wills and Cryonics [Joseph Bloch] Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 19:02:15 -0500 Hi Joseph, Regarding living wills and cryonics, here are some resources that you may find helpful: http://www.agingwithdignity.org This organization publishes a living will entitled "5 Wishes." It is meant to help document how you want to be treated if you become ill and are unable to communicate with your health care providers. After it is completed, signed, witnessed and notarized, "5 Wishes" may be legal to use in some states. It is not considered legal in every state. Please read the web site for further information. The American Bar Association has information about living wills on their web site: http://www.abalawinfo.org/fam1.html#estate A "durable power of attorney" may also need to be executed to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Please consult your lawyer. Under the best of circumstances, a living will may still be ignored by health care providers and hospitals. Another caveat; you must check with your cryonics provider to be sure that the legal statements in the living will (or any legal document) do not contradict or interfere with your goal of successful cryosuspension. Re: "is it the case that it's possible for the brain to deteriorate while in a coma or persistive vegetative state?" http://www.tbiguide.com/getbetter.html by Dr. Glen Johnson, a clinical neuropsychologist, discusses recovery from various types of brain injury. Although I am not a doctor, I believe that in the case that is getting a lot of media attention right now, a heart attack led to the woman's brain being deprived of oxygen long enough for her to lose higher cognitive (cortical) function. With medical treatment, oxygenation was restored, allowing her to retain brain stem function including breathing and elimination. In this state, facial expressions, vocalizations, and movements are purposeless, without recognition or understanding of the environment. Lastly, please note my Legal Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or lawyer. The content of this message is for informational purposes only. It is not medical or legal advice. Always consult the appropriate licensed professional for advice of medical, legal, and/or financial nature. Kind regards, Beth Bailey Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25900