General News
7 August, 2024
Dying to Know Day: take control of your future healthcare choices
Wimmera's Merilyn Simpson shares her powerful story on death.
Wimmera
Health
Merilyn Simpson knows how she wants to die.
In support of the 'Dying to Know Day' campaign, Mrs Simpson is sharing her story, urging others to complete an 'Advance Care Directive.'
These directives document a person's preferences for future medical treatment, from general values to specific instructions around treatment options.
Directives document a person's preferences for future medical treatment, from general values to specific instructions around treatment options.
"The main thing for me is, I don't want to linger about in pain with no quality of life," she said.
"I saw my sister suffer in great pain and watched my friend visit her mother, kept alive as a vegetable, for years.
"I want to die on my own terms."
filled out her form without anticipating how soon a life-threatening illness would make it crucial.
"I had an infection in my heart and an abscess on the aorta burst," she said.
"Surgeons had to take my heart out, clean it, and keep me on life support while they gave me a new valve.
"I died and came back - they didn't have room for me!"
She describes haunting visions and nightmares from the seven days she was intubated and unconscious.
Despite the "harrowing" experience, she was comforted by knowing her wishes were documented.
"The doctors had something to go by, my family weren't left to make decisions they didn't want to, and I could relax knowing my wishes would be met," she said.
"These directives aren't something to be feared, they're about taking control of your own life.
"I'm not afraid of dying now."
Mrs Simpson's message is to consider your options while in good health.
"When I filled mine out, I was clear-headed and could take time to think things through," she said.
"Making those decisions while under pressure, in hospital or while you're really sick, is not something you need.
"People avoid talking about death but I promise you, it's such a relief and now I can get on with living."