Adelaide grandfather Graeme Klemm discusses life support and having an advance care directive

A grandfather of two was suddenly left fighting for his life leaving his family to make difficult medical decisions including an unexpected transplant.

When Graeme Klemm was placed on life support his family did not know what decisions he would have made for himself.

Diagnosed with end stage cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, in 2017, Mr Klemm never would have suspected he’d be flown for specialist treatment to the Royal Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after suddenly going into organ failure.

Placed on life support his wife Andrea was faced with making difficult decisions such as surgeries, medical inventions and even organ transplantation, all without any input or knowledge from Mr Klemm.

“You do not know, until faced with those decisions, how hard it is,” the Felixstow man said.

Graeme Klemm is sharing his story to encourage others to have those difficult conversations and make their health wishes known. Picture: Supplied

After agreeing to have a mechanical pump placed into her husband’s heart, and a lengthy hospital stay, the pair were able to come home to Adelaide but were faced with another surgery — Mr Klemm required a heart transplant.

Ahead of the transplant Graeme was determined not to put his wife, or family, through the same stress as when he went into organ failure, so he updated his will, prepared his power of attorney and an advance care directive.

Advance care directives outline a plan for your wishes, preferences and instructions for future health care, personal matters, end of life, living arrangements and appoint substitute decision-makers to step-in on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.

Graeme Klemm, his wife Andrea and family celebrating his recent five-year heart transplant anniversary. Picture: Supplied

For the now 61-year-old grandfather, knowing his family would enact his wishes and be taken care of, if the worst happened, gave him the ultimate peace of mind.

“Time is something you can never get back, but by planning ahead, you can pay that time forward to your loved ones for whenever they need it,” Mr Klemm said.

“This isn’t just for older people. The moment you become more aware of life around you is the moment to make sure people know your choices so they can enact your wishes — events of the last few years in particular have brought into sharp focus that life can be fragile for everyone, whether you’re 18 or 80.”

Each year, Plan Ahead Week, which ran from September 9 to 15 this year, urges South Australians to reflect on their financial, health, legal and personal wishes and to take action to ensure they’re respected.