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What Is Most Important to You?
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See Video Stories About What Matters Most
Quality of life and what matters most differs for each person.
See video stories of what matters most in life and how to decide about medical care.
Click the video to learn more. Your situation may be different.
Time: 1:09
Video Transcript
Jorge: My niece is getting married in a few months and this is the most important thing in my life right now. I know there are no guarantees, and I might not make it to the wedding, but for now, this is the goal I am striving for.
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.
Ken: Being independent is so important to me that I'll accept any treatment from the doctors if they think it may keep me going on my own, even surgery.
Cynthia: My family and my doctor know that my desire not to burden the family is my biggest concern and would affect the kind of medical care I want.
What Is Most Important to You?
Quality of life and what matters most differs for each person.
QUESTION 1:
See How To Use Your Past Experiences
Past experiences about your health, or stories about other people, can help you decide what matters most in life.
Click the video to learn more. Your situation may be different.
Time: 1:13
Video Transcript
Linda: I’ve been thinking about my medical care.
Rita: Your lung problems aren’t getting worse, are they?
Linda: No, but I saw my doctor today, and we talked about what is important to me if I can’t make medical decisions for myself. Can we talk about this?
Rita: Sure, Mom.
Linda: Well, you remember what your Aunt Rosa went through.
Rita: Right. On that breathing machine.
Linda: And before that she was in and out of the hospital. I don’t want to live on machines like that. If the doctors tell you that I need to be put on a breathing machine in order to be kept alive, I would rather you just let me go, OK?
Rita: Wow, Mom. I know we’ve talked about this before, but it’s still a lot to take in.
Linda: I know, but I really need to know you understand what is important to me. Does what I’m saying make sense?
Rita: Yes. You don’t want to be put on a breathing machine. At that point, you would just want me and the family to let you go.
Linda: Yes, that’s it. That’s what I want.
Rita: Then that’s what we’ll do.
Your Past Experiences
QUESTION 2:
What experience have you had with serious illness?
Have you had your own experience with serious illness?
Do you remember someone close to you who was very sick or dying?
Do you remember seeing someone on TV who was very sick or
Think about what went well, what did not go well, and why.
If you were in these situations, what would you want for yourself?
You may change your mind about how you feel over time.
