Open Letter to Gov Jeb Bush + Pix from Terri Schiavo's Vigil

Envoy Magazine Blog ^ | October 19, 2003 | Pete Vere

[Budge]

Just out of curiosity I looked at DU a couple days ago for Terri threads and didn't see any.

That doesn't surprise me.

Remember, Terri is a Catholic, therefore she is a member of the hated "Religious right wing."

Wait a minute, Budge. Arent the democRATS communist at DU supposed to be the compasionate ones??

[utahagen]

Even worse than not having nourishment would be not having water! When you think about how uncomfortable it is to be thirsty, it's painful to consider what it must feel like to die on account of lack of hydration.

[floriduh voter]

We need some prayers on this here thread. Now I must go to a place where the terminally ill are infirmed until their passing. Unfortunately, Terri is chronically disabled and not terminally ill and she's in a room guarded by nine police officers and the husband's representative is the mother of his live-in girlfriend. Terri is lucky to get a pillow for under her head.

Need I say more? Fregards, Terri would be out there for me on the lawn with a sign if it was reversed. floriduh voter

[deannadurbin]

>>What about other Churches in the other? Maybe we should target them.

The evangelical churches are supporting the Catholic protestors outside the "hospice." This case has cut across denominational lines.

[Pegita]

There is a Prayer Thread for Terri Schindler Schiavo in the Forum for posting of thoughts and prayers. These prayers will be printed and given to the Schindler family to let them know that we are standing with them in their hours of suffering ~ may they be of some comfort ~

[maxplunder]

Here's something that might be usefull

Bone Scan

[sweetliberty]

Link doesn't work.

[Budge]

My gasoline credit card is wide open - hint!

[SwordofTruth]

He can't win without California and Florida

W can win without California, but not without Florida.

[maxplunder]

Bone Scan

Sorry extra character in code

[Budge]

Lemme try -

click

[Budge]

God, honeygrl, let's pray there is such a compassionate nurse helping Terri!!

[Budge]

My prayer ping list.

[pickyourpoison]

Where are you? Maybe somebody can help you get here if they know where your are.

[NYer]

The Last Sacrament is the right of every Catholic and that too has been taken away from this woman.

As a catholic, Terri Schiavo has the right to receive the Sacrament called Annointing of the Sick. As one draws closer to death, viaticum (from the Latin, meaning food for the journey) is recommended by the church. As described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church ...

V. VIATICUM, THE LAST SACRAMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN

1524 In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."[140] The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father.[141]

1525 Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity called "the sacraments of Christian initiation," so too it can be said that Penance, the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life "the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland" or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.

[sweetliberty]

"Where are you?"

Budge, maxplunder and I are neighbors. We live in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We have vehicles, but on such short notice it would be difficult to make sure they were ready for that long a drive. Mine would probably make it, but I would be reluctant to risk it without having it at least looked over and a tune-up. I put a lot of miles on my car with my job from which I have just been laid off for the season (at least 2 1/2 months) so cost is an issue, although, as I said, I could contribute for gas.

Travelgirl, I know you expressed some interest in this yesterday but we all got busy discussing other things. What is your situation? I got the impression that your schedule might be tied up, but you didn't really say. The rest of us have the time available right now.

[NYer]

Since you are at the vigil for Terri, can you tell us more about what is happening? Are the parents and the rest of the family allowed to visit Terri? Is she getting any water at all? Did they refuse Terri the Last Rite because of the little bit of nurishment Holy Communion provides?

I am not at the vigil. See my post #5.

Pete Vere, a well known Canon Lawyer, is at vigil. He is posting to the Envoy Magazine blog and knows that freepers are following Terri's story. The pictures and original story are Pete's, from the vigil.

[incindiary]

Re: post 59. There are a lot of people who feel the same way...people who are angry and vote. Read some of the comments on this site: http://www.prayforterri.net. You can see what they're saying about Jeb's political future if this continues.

[NYer]

Even worse than not having nourishment would be not having water! When you think about how uncomfortable it is to be thirsty, it's painful to consider what it must feel like to die on account of lack of hydration.

The Hemlock Society provides a detailed description of death by starvation and dehydration, for those who seek such a death. As you and I well know, if a human being were to do this to thier domestic pet, they would be prosecuted, fined and send to jail. Animals now have more rights than humans. Here it is.

 

Hastening Death by Starvation and Dehydration by Faye Girsh, Executive Director Hemlock Society USA The option of dying by starvation or Patient Refusal of Nutrition and Hydration (PRNH), as it is referred to, appears to be a compromise which allows terminally ill people to end their lives and still have ministrations from hospice and from a doctor. A hospice nurse was kind enough to send me eight articles from nursing and medical journals reviewing this process in an attempt to convince me that this was a painless and gentle death which would obviate the necessity of a more drastic end. Hemlock Society is in the business of maximizing the options for a good death; for many people this means of ending their lives is acceptable while getting direct help from a doctor, using a plastic bag, or ending their lives by other more direct means is not. Having read this material I would endorse this as a legitimate alternative to which our members should give careful consideration, particularly when other means are not acceptable or available. I do have these caveats: The length of time it took for patients to die in these studies varies considerably depending on the fragility and weight of the patient, the state of his/her heart , etc., from several days to several weeks. Most of the reports of dying patients are within one or two weeks from dehydration. After the first day a state called detonemia develops in which there are apparently severe hunger pangs (unless feeding is restored) Not taking fluids appears to actually reduce a person's discomfort, bloating, nausea, lung secretions, urinary frequency and pain, and is a good idea at the end of life in any case. This method may be difficult for family members -- and some medical personnel -- who may find it difficult not to provide food and fluids. A family may need help caring for the dying person. Excellent oral hygiene must be maintained with ice chips to moisten the mouth, careful cleaning of the mouth, and lubricants. Skin becomes dry and inelastic so a soft mattress is helpful. Dizziness and weakness also occur. Many of the patients described, including the mother of Dr. David Eddy, whose account in the Journal of the American Medical Association has become a classic, had asked for a hastened death and had been refused by the doctors and nurses on the grounds that it would constitute an assisted suicide and thus be morally, ethically and legally wrong. This method is seen as a preferable alternative to a lethal dose of medication from a physician. Medical care is essential; most patients required morphine for pain and many received anti-anxiety agents. It would be essential to have medical and nursing support before embarking on this route. PRNH is a choice; it is relatively gentle and painless in most reported cases. It is certain, and loved ones can be there. Hospice workers and doctors will regard this as acceptable and treat the patient with compassion. It is not offensive to most religious groups. But it is not swift; the patient must be close to death, and medical and nursing help should be available. It may not be an option for everyone. Since the manner of dying must be the patient's choice, this method does not obviate the search for ways which are acceptable to every person -- including direct help from a doctor -- certainly a shorter, more direct, and less torturous route.

[Cicero]

So once again the evangelicals insured that we were well-fed. They also had some bananas and muffins. Apparently, the evangelicals have really settled into their ministry of providing food to those who come and pray. It is appreciated by everyone there. Tomorrow, a number of local evangelical churches will be holding their service just outside of the hospice where Terri is being starved.

I want to digress a bit to point out how important it is for Evangelicals and faithful Cathlics to work together in the pro-life cause and in other traditional moral causes such as defense of the family.

There are a few bigots here in FR who don't seem to grasp that point. Yes, Catholics and Evangelicals differ on a number of theological points. Nevetheless, they are natural allies in the struggle against the Culture of Death.

Although I am Catholic, I donate to Operation Rescue West and Survivors, both primarily Evangelical organizations. I would not be suprised if they are involved in the Terry Schiavo vigil. It's the kind of thing they do, and they do it well and faithfully.

In other words, don't bash your allies.