SweetCrusader,

What wonderful work you do! And it’s nice to know that you’re not there just to collect a paycheck that you care about the people you work with! They’re very lucky to have you!

Of course you’re sickened by the abuser and the abuses that took place. (((((SweetCrusader))))) Thanks you for seeing the ugly side of life and seeking ways to fix them.

But don’t feel guilty. I was a CNA in a long term care facility for many years. I’ve seen death many shapes and forms. Sometimes you just have to accept the fact that some people don’t want medical treatment. My husband and I have had living wills since we were in our early twenties (long before they were legally recognized.) What it boils down to is if I break a bone, I’ll have it set, I’ll seek medical treatment for things such as sinus infections, and depression. But if it comes to a life threatening disease, cancer or heart disease I will not seek treatment, comfort measures only. I’ve seen too many people die in inches to seek that existence for myself. I’ve watched 4 Aunts, my grandmother and a cousin all battle breast cancer going through horrible horrible things only to buy themselves a couple of extra months of miserable existence.

I’m not knocking those that choose to fight and go through treatment; I was the main care giver for my grandmother and supported her decision to fight, even though she was 72 and in poor health to begin with. I’m just saying that I’ve made a conscience decision not to undergo any of those types of treatments. It’s a decision that I made nearly twenty years ago when I was young, healthy and of sound mind.