By Attorney Renee Fox
As an Ohio Elder Law Attorney, I counsel people everyday on the specifics of executing or not executing a Do Not Resuscitate Order, also known as a DNR. About a year ago on a television program about doctors, I caught an episode about a man who was in a motor cycle accident who had the words “Do Not Resuscitate” tattooed on his chest. He was brought in by squad and his life was saved. However, once in the hospital they were uncertain if the tattoo was serious or a joke. They treated the patient and left him on life support until they contacted a family member and received instruction from their legal department about what to do. It turns out he had early onset Alzheimer’s and did have a DNR. At the end of the show they took him off machines and he died with dignity with his sister by his side.
TV is one thing, but I never would have guessed someone would take this to heart and apply the principal in real life but one elderly woman did just that. Joy Tomkins, the 81year old grandmother-of-six, is so adamant about her wishes that doctors not save her life in an emergency, she has had a “Do Not Resuscitate” tattoo placed on her chest. Further, in case she collapses face down and paramedics miss the big, blue capital letters, she had “PTO” which means please turn over and an arrow inked on her back. Joy said “I do not want to be half dead, I want to be fully dead. I’m afraid the medical profession will, with the best of intentions, keep me alive when I don’t want to be alive.”
Joy is not terminally ill but has arthritis, Reynard’s disease and diabetes. Many of my clients wait until they are terminally ill to execute this significant document because it must be discussed with and signed by your physician. When you have made your wishes known and either you or your health care power of attorney have presented this formal document to medical professionals they will no longer take any extraordinary measures to save your life, including CPR or defibrillation. They will basically keep you comfortable until you pass away.
Joy said “I don’t want to lie for hours, months or even years before dying. I do not want to end up as a vegetable. I don’t want my family to remember me as a lump. That is why I got the tattoo.” Joy said her children, Thomas, 52, and Mary, 50, “accept my wishes”. But a General Medical Council spokesman said most doctors would ignore her DNR tattoo. He said: “Mrs Tomkins’ tattoo would not be enough information by itself for a doctor to make this decision on in an emergency.” He said DNR wishes need to be put in writing and witnessed.
For help with powers of attorney and advanced medical directives please seek the advice of a professional and contact us at Cooper, Adel, & Associates.