Reply #3: you know, it is amazing how the terry schiavo case is affecting each of us [View All]

[flordehinojos]

in so many different ways.

I, for myself, could not think of having to go to any other hospital other than to HOLY CROSS...(a Catholic Hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy where many, if not most, of the doctors are JEWISH).

EIGHT YEARS AGO when I was there and needed surgery THEY ASKED IF I HAD A LIVING WILL, AND IF NOT, DID I WANT TO SIGN ONE. THEY SHOWED ME A LIVING WILL THAT I COULD SIGN.

At the time I was afraid to even think about death. (so from experience I believe that the best time to think about living wills and end of life directives is when you are healthy -- your thinking about those things is clearer--they can become clouded under the emotioanlity of actually facing such a situation). I did not sign a living will then--mostly because i could not emotionally face the possibility that i could die during surgery, or that something could happen to me during that surgery where i would remain a vegetable.

The daily Mass that was televised to the rooms (where patients could choose to watch or not) and the daily communion that the Eucharastic Ministers brought to those who wanted it, were the healing grace i needed...and if I had to go to a hospital where those things would not be there...i would then really die before i even died.

The hospital cannot refuse to follow your living will if you have one signed, and witnessed and they have a copy of it.

i have already downloaded a copy of a living will for myself, and another one for my husband. i am pondering downloading one for my son and for his livein girlfriend (while praying that they will not have to use theirs while i am alive) but knowing that it is sanity to have such documents signed.

Our friend XXXXX volunteered in a Catholic Hospital many years. When she became terminally ill, she wanted to have as natural an ending as possible. She chose to be taken care of at home by her family and the visiting nurses from hospice. HOLY CROSS was instrumental in providing her the care that she needed, in following her directions, and in having the EUCHARISTIC MINISTER from the HOSPITAL officiate at her memorial service.

Earlier today, I posted three different prayes from her memorial service. I am posting a different one here again this evening.

A Litany of Remembrance

WITH THIS PRAYER, WE LIGHT A CANDLE, SYMBOL OF LIGHT,
THE LIFE AND THE LVOE THAT XXXXX BROUGHT INTO THE WORLD,
WITH GRATITUDE, LET US REMEMBER HER NOW.

AT THE RISING OF THE SUN AND ITS GOING DOWN,
WE REMEMBER HER.

AT THE OPENING OF THE BUDS AND IN THE REBIRTH OF SPRING,
WE REMEMBER HER.

AT THE RUSTLING OF THE LEAVES AND IN THE BEAUTY OF AUTUMN,
WE REMEMBER HER.

IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND WHEN IT ENDS,
WE REMEMBER HER.

AS LONG AS WE LIVE, SHE TOO SHALL LIVE;
FOR SHE IS NOW A PART OF US, AS
WE REMEMBER HER.

WHEN WE ARE WEARY AND IN NEED OF STRENGTH
WE REMEMBER HER.

WHEN WE ARE LOST AND SICK AT HEART,
WE REMEMBER HER.

WHEN WE HAVE A JOY THAT WE LONG SHARE,
WE REMEMBER HER.

WHEN WE HAVE DECISIONS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO MAKE,
WE REMEMBER HER.

WHEN WE HAVE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT ARE BASED ON HERS,
WE REMEMBER HER.

AS LONG AS WE LIVE, SHE TOO WILL LIVE;
FOR SHE IS NOW A PART OF US, AS
WE REMEMBER HER.