Saving Terri Schiavo (A MUST READ!!)

Daily Standard ^ | October 21, 2003 | Wesley J. Smith

[NYer]

Our government leaders have been put on notice that tremendous numbers of people in this country are determined to halt the erosion of the sanctity/equality of life ethic in the practice of medicine.

Bears repeating!!!

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[nickcarraway]

ping

[arkfreepdom]

I admit that I don't know the specifics of this case, but my wife knows to never keep me alive with a feeding tube. I hope that this intervention doesn't mean people will have no choice in this matter.

[Jalapeno]

I admit that I don't know the specifics of this case, but my wife knows to never keep me alive with a feeding tube.

then for her sake, put it in writing.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[isthisnickcool]

All you have to do is watch the video tapes of her and see that while she does have problems she is well enough that she should not be thrown out like the garbage.

I first heard about this woman on the Glenn Beck radio show and from people here on FreeRepublic. I've called and written to Gov. Bush because of the posts here.

I've seen a wonderful person fight and fight and fight for every breath. To the last breath. To live! Someone that was so brave. Someone that taught me how valuable life is.

So when I see people cheapen life it makes me think of my little friend and how she taught so many of us how precious life is. So I can't understand why anyone would think that this womans life has no value. It makes me ill. Everyone from the husband to all those in the legal system that have helped try to kill this women make me sick. They are devoid of humanity. They have the blackest of hearts and souls! Nazis!

[NYer]

I admit that I don't know the specifics of this case, but my wife knows to never keep me alive with a feeding tube.

Make sure this is in writing! Then, assuming you are conscious and have your faculties about you (as is the case with Terri Schiavo), once your tube is removed, this is what you can expect will happen.

 

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.

[arkfreepdom]

then for her sake, put it in writing.

She would never sign the permit for PEG placement anyway, but you are right.

[Tempest]

ping. Thought you might find this article interesting.

So from my understanding her low-life husband could still continue to starve Terri after 15 days?

[NYer]

So when I see people cheapen life it makes me think of my little friend and how she taught so many of us how precious life is. So I can't understand why anyone would think that this womans life has no value.

Thank you for sharing Abi's story. As a parent, you understand then the beauty of life. As catholics, Terri and her family believe in the sanctity of life from conception until death from natural causes. Death by starvation is a slow and painful process.

[atruelady]

My message to George Greer. I also sent a copy to his boss Chief Justice Demers.

ggreer@co.pinellas.fl.us
ddemers@co.pinellas.fl.us

I have a very hard time referring to you as "Your Honor".

The only reason you would allow Schiavo's attorney to file for an injuction and have the gall to schedule it on calendar is because you are a genocidal freak!

You have done a lot of questionable things acting outside the law, all for you own self and selfish interests.

1. Refused to look at evidence, disregarding your own court investigator.
2. Allowing the husband who has severe conflicts of interest and motives to want her dead.
3. Ruled that Terri can be cremated immediately EVEN THOUGH FLORIDA LAW PROHIBITS CREMATION OF ANYONE FOR 48 HOURS!
4. Scheduling a hearing for an injunction before the Governor has acted. The only reason you would do that is to make sure Terri dies. You do so at your own peril of losing your judgeship.
5. Petitions to remove you will come far and wide.
6. You had a chance to do the decent thing. It is obvious that you are worse than Schiavo and his ethically questionable attorney.
7. God have mercy on your soul, you will need it when the time comes for you to stand before God and explain yourself.

Carla Carter
Bradenton FL

Copies to:

Honorable Jeb Bush
Chief Justice Demers
All Forida Reps.

[TonyWojo]

BTTT

[lainde]

bttt

[MarMema]

And that is a very sanitized version of what happens.

Though you note that they said medical care is essential, Terri was deprived of morphine throughout her ordeal. I hope God can help me to overcome my anger about this.

[plain talk]

What is the reason given for her being deprived of morphine?

[alisasny]

Are they doing the ice chip suggestion? I was horrified to hear that a little piece of the communion host was denied this woman so I just assume so are ice chips.

[MarMema]

The sadism of her husband and his attorney.

Apparently just after they pulled the tube, her parents complained that she had been so heavily sedated. So they said they would now forego pain meds as she was slowly killed.

[Greybird]

I hope that this intervention doesn't mean people will have no choice in this matter.

That, in the long run, is exactly what it means. Vegetation over volition, if the mob is loud enough.

On the same day, the Florida Legislature smashes away at the notion of an impartial judiciary -- and the U.S. Congress delivers a new blow to the 10th Amendment by making another tortured stretching of the Commerce Clause. (The "partial-birth abortion" ban.) Not a good day for the rule of law.