Advanced Care Planning: Making Your Wishes Known is a Gift to Your Family

Talking about advanced care planning can be tough, but it’s an important conversation to have with your loved ones. Watch one family’s story and learn about end-of-life care planning from Gene Freeman, MD, in this 2 Your Well-Being discussion with WFMY News 2.

Advanced Care Planning is a Gift: Danny and Susan’s Story

At 43 years old, Susan Wagoner had “learning to play drums” on her bucket list. That’s how she met Danny Wagoner – the love of her life.

“She was a natural,” says Danny, who was a lifelong drummer. A mutual friend introduced the couple, they became friends, and were later married in 2015.

“She was such a loving human being… we were married for exactly 7 years and one month,” Danny recalls.

Then, the rhythm of their marriage was interrupted. Susan was diagnosed with lung cancer, which spread to her liver and brain. From the time of diagnosis, she passed within two months and three weeks. It was a devastating loss for the family.

Before Susan’s death in June of 2022, she and Danny started advanced care planning, a process where people document how they would like to receive care if something life threatening happens.

“Susan insisted after we purchased our home that we get our will and testaments, our health care power of attorney and a living will – and of course, life insurance,” says Danny. The couple set up those plans long before knowing about Susan's diagnosis.

“It is truly a gift to our loved ones,” says Elizabeth Golding, DO, a palliative care doctor at Cone Health. Golding supported Danny and Susan and encourages others to do advanced care planning.

“[Danny] never had to think about what Susan would have wanted,” says Golding. “And when her cancer got so bad that we knew she was not going to survive, we were able to give her a peace.”

It’s important to start advanced care planning before an illness or accident occurs. Dr. Golding and Danny also emphasize that keeping your documents up to date is just as important.

“You don’t want to wait until you’re sick, because you can have an accident – there’s no time,” says Danny.

Although these conversations may sometimes be difficult, they’re important to have – and committing to advanced care planning is truly a gift to yourself and to your loved ones.

Watch Danny and Susan’s story and learn more about advanced care planning from Gene Freeman, MD, in the video interview above.