Making choices
It is a good idea to think about what is important now, and how you can make the choices that matter to you. Being informed helps to make preparations and decisions easier.
When you make choices and plans, it is important that you let people know what you have decided. This not only includes health professionals but also family and friends.
Sometimes decisions need to be timely, even if they are difficult and it is easier to put them off.
Planning for changes
Think about what your goals are now. It may be planning holidays or weddings, or perhaps just to live as well as you can within the limitations of your illness. Planning for how you will cope as things change is useful. You can access information here on getting help now or in regards to the practicalities of living at home when you may need access to services and practical supports.
This can be the right time to sort out all the practical things such as wills and funerals.
Sorting things out
It can help to prepare an Advance Directive or Medical Power of Attorney. They allow you to have some control over events. Having things written down clearly states what your wishes are. The Respecting Patient Choices Program helps people to have input into their current and future health needs. It is a good idea to talk things through with family and friends around you. You should tell them what you have decided, although this may be a difficult conversation to have.
The following documents may help prompt you to think about what is important in terms of comfort and how you want to be treated. Although from overseas, they may be useful:
Even though you are unwell, you may still need to organise or complete things to take care of others in your life. This could be a partner / spouse, a child or other family member, or perhaps a work colleague. Things may need to be organised, conversations undertaken or issues resolved.
The Living Caring Working website provides information on living with a life threatening illness and having conversations with your employers and colleagues.
This page was created on 26 March 2007 and is due for review in March 2009