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Senior Gets 'Do Not Resuscitate' Tattoo

UK woman, 81, not taking any chances

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2011 3:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – An 81-year-old UK woman wants her end-of-life wishes to be crystal clear: She had the words "Do Not Resuscitate" tattooed on her upper chest, reports the BBC. "If I'm found lying about and can't say something, I want [medics] to accept that," explains Joy Tomkins. And if she happens to be on her stomach, she's got that covered, too, with a "P.T.O" (please turn over) tattoo on her back, accompanied by an arrow. Click BuzzFeed to see photos.

Tompkins, who is not in ill health, explains further: "I've had 80 good, interesting years of marriage and children and grandchildren and plenty of friends," she says. "I'm quite happy if I wake up in the morning, but if I don't I'm just as happy."

File photo of a tattoo in progress.
File photo of a tattoo in progress.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Riffran
Sep 10, 2011 9:15 AM CDT
That's fricken awesome. Beats doing CPR on a 99 year old diabetic incontinent with contractures, a peg tube, and bed sores. Due to being bed bound for eight years after a stroke... Cuz they want "mama" to live
anchower
Sep 8, 2011 5:27 PM CDT
Too bad such tattoos are not legally binding, at least not in the States.  In other words, paramedics and hospitals can go right ahead and resuscitate you, tattoo be damned.
HMunster
Sep 8, 2011 5:00 PM CDT
When I turn 80 I'm getting on my chest in large letters: "Female Paramedics: Try Mouth to Cock Resuscitation For as Long as Necessary. Do Not Give Up."  Hmm... Make that when I turn 60. Actually, I'm heading to the tattoo parlor right now...
 

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