Jorge: Thinking about this kind of stuff was scary and used to upset me. But then I realized that I didn’t have to make any FINAL decisions.

All I had to do was get started—by choosing someone to help make medical decisions for me in the future. That part seemed fairly easy to do and wasn’t so scary.

Helen: I have strong religious beliefs and they guide my medical decisions. For instance, it is against my beliefs to get a blood transfusion. I told my medical decision maker and my doctor that, no matter what, I never want one, even if the doctor is recommending it.

James: At first I didn’t want to upset my wife by talking about this stuff. I also felt guilty because I thought I’d be putting a huge burden on her shoulders.

Cynthia: It would actually be a much bigger burden if we didn’t talk about it. Then what if the doctors turned to me at some point and asked me to make decisions for my husband? I wouldn’t know what to do!

James: Talking was a really good thing to do.

Cynthia: Right. Talking about this stuff is never easy, but it’s much easier now when we’re both healthy. Now I feel more prepared.