Not that easy to challenge a bonafide will. Now the living will is a bit different. None of us are God, we haven't a clue as to what may happen, in what circumstances, when, or what medical science will have found by the time it happens. You go to set one up tomorrow, with Terri in mind, but you can't know how you'll feel 30 years down the road.
From what I've dealt with, your best choice is a 'durable power of attorney.' We had this for my mom and also have it for my dad. Both my brother and I have 'power of attorney' regarding medical care. Each 'emergency' or 'incident' is dealt with after consulting with the doctor. My dad is golfing right now, he went to 9 am mass, he'll be coming home for dinner with my daughter and myself in a couple of hours. He's 84 years old. He saw my mom basically go from a vibrant, brilliant person to a sixty-some dependent person that had to enter a nursing home, for hers and our sakes. He does NOT want 'heroic measures' to prolong his life.
Last July, suddenly he was having trouble breathing and felt like he was going to pass out. I rushed him to the hospital. His heart rate had fallen to 30 something. It was a 'big emergency.' A similar episode had occured the previous Spring. At the time of the first one, the attending physician said he had an infection. They put him on IV anti-biotics. He seemed better.
Then in July, took him to our 'regular hospital.' They admitted him to intensive care. The next day a cardiologist came and said he needed a pacemaker. My dad's first reaction was, "No." We listened some more. It was explained to us: my dad, brother and myself that he would be an 'excellent candidate' for an 'electro-shock pacemaker' which would not only regulate his heart rhythm, but shock the heart if he had a heart attack. Downside, there could be a 'declining quality of life', while prolonged. We chose to have a non-shock pacemaker implanted. It allows my dad to carry on with his life, but will not 'bring him back', if the situation arises.
