Who ultimately has the power to say what should be done to you medically?

You, of course. It’s your body and your life. But this very important option is not available to you if you are unable to communicate. Sadly, this is the case for millions of people, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

And this is why I'm here, to warn you about not being prepared if you were to happen to find yourself with an unexpected health event.

Shortly after my book came out and hit the #1 Bestseller’s list, a good friend of mine, call him Joe to protect his identity, woke up with a sensation of pressure in his chest area. He had felt it a couple times over the previous year or so, but it always went away after a couple of minutes. So, he thought nothing of it.

The pressure this chest lingered for most of the day, causing him some concern. Especially since his father had coronary disease and a massive heart attack at the young age of 45.

But Joe had spent his entire life, from age 13, determined to "beat the odds" of genetics. After all, his dad smoked, was overweight, and had a stressful job.

HE WAS THE FIT OF HEALTH

Joe had been the fit of health, and believed he was making better decisions overall. He never smoked and seldom drink. He paid the extra bucks for organic fruits and veggies, and even sprung for the much higher cost for meats, poultry and fish; buying organic, grass fed, grass finished, pasture raised, wild caught, and any other ideal ways of incorporating quality into his life. He also exercised and loved to go hiking with his wife and family. Joe wasn’t even on a single medication.

As evening ensued, the pressure started to become more pronounced. He suggested to his wife, that they go for a walk around the neighborhood, but after 10 steps, he was winded and had shortness of breath.

This was incredulous to him, what with all years of living the right way, always in moderation and never abusive behavior. Still, a voice in his head said to do the right

thing and get it checked out…now! So, he told his wife that he had better go to the emergency room at their local hospital.

Deep down, Jpe believed everything was going to be all right and kept a positive attitude. “It’s indigestion,” or some other minor thing.

WHEN THEY GOT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM

Joe and his wife walked into the Emergency Room and told the Receptionist he was experiencing pressure in his chest. They took him right in, gave him an electro cardiogram and all looked normal. So they had them sit in the waiting room.

A short while later, they blood samples, and this is where the snowball began to roll down the hill. Joe had the presence of an enzyme that showed his heart had recently experienced undue stress. This was not a good sign, and it warranted more tests. The next thing they knew, he was admitted to the hospital.

During the admission process, Joe was asked if he had an “Advanced Healthcare Directive”.

He wouldn’t have even known what that was if it weren't for the fact that he had just read my book. But sadly, he had yet to create one to accompany his living will.

IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE NEVER PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Why anyone would put off creating their Living Will is beyond logic and common sense. Especially when the state becomes the dictator for what happens with our material possessions after we're gone if we don't have this simple document that can be drawn up in a couple of hours of thought and reflection. In the same way that we are given the opportunity to say exactly what happens to our financial and material possessions in a Living Will, when it comes to our medical choices for our own person during a traumatic or serious medical event, you absolutely have to be able to supply your healthcare providers with clear

instructions.

Joe had a living will, but as if the stress and concerns of what was unraveling right in Front of him, the under worry of not having his healthcare directive in place was simply unnecessary and could have been avoided.

IF YOU CAN’T, SOMEONE ELSE WILL DECIDE OTHER THAN YOU!

Back to Joe’s story, things quickly began to accelerate as he found each test as the doctors and nurses administered them in the hospital. It led to having an echo cardiogram, in which the cardiologist and search April in order to see if there is any blockage in the arteries.

The worst case scenario at this point, Joe was told, was that he would get a stent during proceed process while he was under sedation and he'd walk out that day living a normal life.

The next thing Joe knew, the cardiologist was speaking to him after the procedure, and it wasn’t what Joe wanted to hear by any stretch of the imagination. The doctor call Tim that he was unable to safely repair the arterial blockage he'd found in Joe and that he needed to have open heart bypass surgery.

Just like that, things went from living a normal life with no consideration of health issues being sent in an ambulance to another hospital specializing in this kind of major.

HE HAD NO TIME TO THINK

Joe had no time to think about anything or prepare for the worst, just in case. Although he had a living will, he was worried about not having his healthcare directive place. They were absolutely certain things he never wanted to endure, like being in a vegetative state, among other situations.

Joe thought about how difficult it would be for his beautiful wife of 33 years or his loving son, only in his 20s, having to make any kinds of difficulty decisions. He knew he had to play the odds and hope for the best. Not a comforting circumstance by any means.

The next thing he knew, Joe was waking up from his operation. He told me he remembers thinking, “Wow! I made it. I’m alive!” Even with the potential for numerous

complications, I am very happy to tell you that Joe is on the better side of this recent life-threatening medical event. Thank goodness!!

But the point being made it's true story is to stress the importance of having a simple Advanced Healthcare Directive so you or your loved ones never have to worry about this kind of thing.