[HiTech RedNeck]

The cortex is the outer layer of the brain. Has anyone any inside info as to how much of it is gone in Terri? The medical records are sealed tighter than a drum and we only know what new-age spaced-out talk-to-other-souls Felos says.

[FITZ]

Her family obviously believes there is some awareness ---- and it's all just on observations: (from one of the posted links)

The medical term vegetative is seen as potentially pejorative if misunderstood by families or carers as being synonymous with vegetable.

• The diagnosis of vegetative state depends on clinical observation of the presence or absence of behaviour that might indicate a functioning mind (Jennett & Plum 1972). As self-awareness cannot be measured, but only identified through an absence of purposeful responses to environmental stimuli, it has been suggested that the term vegetative be replaced by a clinical term descriptive of continuing unresponsiveness.

• Prediction of outcome may influence patient management (Murray et al 1993). Where the term persistent vegetative state is used inappropriately or taken to indicate permanence of an unresponsive state in an individual, it may lead to withholding of opportunities for rehabilitation and restriction or limitation of access to other treatments (Andrews 1996; Zasler 1996).

• The abbreviation PVS may be interpreted to mean either persistent or permanent vegetative state. Criteria for use of the qualifier permanent vary in overseas guidelines and some guidelines have suggested that there may be more than one type of vegetative state (Multi-Society Task Force 1994; Andrews 1996; Royal College of Physicians of London 1996). It has been suggested that use of the qualifiers persistent and permanent be avoided and that, instead, the duration of the vegetative state be specified (American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine 1995).

• Medical use of the term permanent vegetative state is based on the high statistical clinical probability of the vegetative state continuing indefinitely. It has been suggested that non-medical understanding of permanent is absolute, rather than statistical. Reports of late emergence or possible initial misdiagnosis (Tresch et al 1991; Childs et al 1993; Multi-Society Task Force 1994; Andrews et al 1996) have heightened this concern.

[secretagent]

The cortex is the outer layer of the brain. Has anyone any inside info as to how much of it is gone in Terri? The medical records are sealed tighter than a drum and we only know what new-age spaced-out talk-to-other-souls Felos says.

Cranford has seen them, along with 5 other doctors at an evidentiary hearing. I don't know if Dr. Hammesfahr, the Schindler's witness, attended the hearing:

With his permission, here is an e-mailed summary of Terri Schiavo's condition from Ron Cranford, a neurologist who has personally examined her:

Terri Schiavo is in a classic permanent vegetative state. I have personally examined her and testified at a 6 day evidentiary hearing in Tampa in October, 2002, where six doctors testified on her neurologic condition, chances of recovery, and any possibility of her responding to treatment. The trial court judge concluded Terri was in a persistent (permanent) vegetative state, there was no possibility of recovery, and no chance of her responding to any treatment, including vasodilator therapy and hyperbaric oxygenation. Terri's most recent CT scans (extensively reviewed during the evidentiary hearing) show massive atrophy of the cerebral hemispheres, and the cerebellar hemispheres and brain stem, findings typical for a patient with severe and irreversible brain damage secondary to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after 13 years in this condition.

http://www.healthlawblog.blogspot.com/

I don't recall the Schindlers stating that their doctors souldn't access the CAT scans at the evidentiary hearing, or disputing the details of those scans.