Michael Schiavo Larry King Live

CNN Live ^ | 10-24-03 | Larry King

[JustPiper]

Michael Shiavo gets Larry King Monday October 27th,2003. This is a change of programming from website!

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

The CNN poll is still open. Please vote if you haven't. The poll current results are 60% in favor of having Terri's feeding tube reinserted, 40% against.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/late.edition/

[GoRepGo]

Am I wrong or does there appear to be a "hole" at the base of her throat?

Definition: A tracheostomy is an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). A tube is usually placed through this opening to provide an airway, and to remove secretions from the lungs. This tube is called a tracheostomy tube or trach tube.

General anesthesia is used. The neck is cleaned and draped. Surgical cuts are made to expose the tough cartilage rings that make up the outer wall of the trachea. The surgeon then cuts two of these rings and inserts a tracheostomy tube.

Indications: A tracheostomy may be performed because of:

An inherited abnormality of the larynx or trachea
Severe neck or mouth injuries
Breathing corrosive material smoke or steam
A large object blocking the airway
Paralysis of the muscles that affect swallowing
Long-term unconsciousness or coma
Risks: The risks for any anesthesia are: Reactions to medications, Problems breathing,

The risks for any surgery are: Bleeding, Infection, Additional risks include:

Erosion of the trachea (rare), Scar tissue in the trachea, Expectations after surgery:

If the tracheostomy is temporary, the tube will eventually be removed. Healing will occur quickly, leaving a minimal scar. If the tracheostomy tube is permanent, the hole remains open and may require surgical closure when no longer needed. Convalescence: Most patients require 1 to 3 days to adapt to breathing through a tracheostomy tube. It will take some time to learn how to communicate with others. Initially, it may be impossible for the patient to talk or make sounds.

After training and practice, most patients can learn to talk with a trach tube. Patients or parents learn how to take care of the tracheostomy during the hospital stay. Home-care service may also be available.

Normal lifestyles are encouraged and most activities can be resumed. When outside, a loose covering (a scarf or other protection) for the tracheostomy stoma (hole) is recommended. Patients must adhere to other safety precautions regarding exposure to water, aerosols, powder, or food particles as well.

Tracheostomy

[Mo1]

The first responders have testified that they found her in a face down position on the floor.

There is a record of this??

What an odd thing .. because most normal people would turn their loved one over to a face up position to see what was wrong with them

Yes, I agree this PR stunt by MS and his lawyer did not help them IMO .. but don't get to excited .. these people aren't going to back down

[eleni121]

If it's me that's the nuisance, then please stop posting to me and giving me reasons to respond.

Now you got it!

[eleni121]

Dubya - he is the man!

Not a politician but willing to break with the PC's to speak the truth.

The more he speaks the more he infuriates the leftist pro death bunch and the more people love him!

[Saundra Duffy]

he said...'could only watch a few minutes of it...saw the gold chain and the sneer and decided I didn't need to listen to that jerk or his girly friend.'

LOL! I think your husband deserves an award. I love it!

[SwordofTruth]

If a heart attack resulted in oxygen deprivation to her brain then there would also be significant damage done to her heart as well. Since there is NO damage to her heart then she definitely did not have a heart attack.

[Normally a Lurker]

I can see you're a compulsive "last worder." Please give one one more and THEN go away - that ends it, since the point is made.

[Mo1]

There would have been SIGNS OF BULEMIA if she truly suffered from this disorder. Further, if Michael suspected she had an eating disorder, don't you think he would have discussed that with her doctors when she was admitted in an effort to find what caused her collapse?

he doesn't seem all that bright to me, so back in 1990 he would just think that she was dieting to lose weight and doubt he would think of mentioning it to the doctors unless someone asked him questions.

As for bulimia .. you would be surprised at how some could hide this from people.

With that said, I do have some questions about low potassium levels and how it affects the body.

I'm not a doctor, and since it has been diagnosed that she did not suffer a heart attack .. how would low levels stop oxygen to the brain?

As for the courts .. they rule on facts .. however, if many facts are not allow to be presented to the court .. then they can't make a ruling, now can they.

Not to compare this to OJ .. but in that case, even though we all saw the evidence, many in the jury did not and couldn't make a decision on facts they never saw to determine guilt or innocence

[Annie03]

That's what I love about GW- he tells it instead of talking in politian-speak. God Bless him for standing up.

[Saundra Duffy]

Thank you for sharing the story about your Aunt's passing. Honorable and dignified. God bless your family.

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

If a heart attack resulted in oxygen deprivation to her brain then there would also be significant damage done to her heart as well. Since there is NO damage to her heart then she definitely did not have a heart attack.

---

That is the truth. I worked in the Coronary Care unit for years. Never ever saw someone with Terri's neurological issues that had a heart attack and survived.

If it was a heart attack it should to this day be detected on an EKG. Especially one that caused her such neurological issues. We could tell an acute heart attack from an old one by the EKG and its changes over the course of 3 days. Cardiac enzymes confirm the muscle damage done to the heart during even a mild heart attack.

Also Michael saying on LK that an aneurysm is the best way to die....Hog wash. He was trying to toot his horn, maybe trying to sound impressive. The Aortic Aneurysms I saw suffered enough to get to ER's in terrific pain. Some dropped dead quickly but if they got to a hospital they suffered enroute and if they survived, the recovery process was anything but a picnic.

Brain (Cerebral)Aneurysms have some pretty tough headaches like none other as they are about to rupture. Not my choice to go and neither is starvation/dehydration. Even with terminal end stage cancer my mother requested jello, ice chips to moisten her dry mouth constantly her last 3 days.

[Normally a Lurker]

Thanks for the info.

BTW, I wasn't aware until recently that the primary basis for the law suit and $1.5 million award in this case was associated with Terri's potassium deficiency.

Basically, it was because here doctor(s) had not had blood tests performed during her ongoing care (she was trying to get pregant, and seeing doctors for assistance in that regard). The allegation was that her (by then known - i.e. before the suit was filed) potassium deficiency would have shown up in a simple routine blood test; corrective actions could have been taken, and all this avoided.

Those who say she had no such potassium deficiency must not realize that the doctor(s) being sued and their insurance company(ies) would never have been saddled with a $1.5 million award if she not had a potassium deficiency.

But, I recognize that (in those zealots minds) facts like this don't offset their opinions/mid reading/etc.

[Normally a Lurker]

No one has ever accused me of spelling perfection.

I used to blame it on typos resulting from my arthritis. since my arthritis has gotten better, I'm looking for a new excuse - can you help me?

[SwordofTruth]

Those who say she had no such potassium deficiency must not realize that the doctor(s) being sued and their insurance company(ies) would never have been saddled with a $1.5 million award if she not had a potassium deficiency.

She may have indeed had a potassium deficiency, but she did not have a heart attack.

According to Dr.Hammesfahr on Hannity and Colmes last night:

“Right now, we have a woman who had a collapse, with no known cause. No evidence of infection, or heart attack, respiratory failure, or ANYTHING, The only thing found in the emergency room is the damaged neck.”

[Normally a Lurker]

Do you really think the insurance company shelled out $1.5 million without thouroughly checking these things out. I'm certain that that Dr.Hammesfahr hasn't review all the records. And maybe he has the same aganda as the zealots posting here.

[JulieRNR21]

Schiavo's statement is still in the transcript....I just ched it.

CALLER: Yes. Does it bother you that the death is so slow? Maybe Dr. Kevorkian-style would be a faster, more peaceful way?

Quote:
SCHIAVO: Removing somebody's feeding is very painless. It is a very easy way to die. Probably the second better way to die, being the first being an aneurysm.

And it doesn't bother me at all. I've seen it happen. I had to do it with my own parents.

[Dante3]

What a moving story. And what a contrast to Terri's.

[NautiNurse]

The area at the base of Terri's neck is an old tracheostomy (breating tube) site.

[Annie03]

<> They should have scheduled this interview for Halloween and billed it "Real Live Ghoul"