Posted on 03/21/2005 12:23:45 AM PST by ambrose
Life support battle winds down, patient transferred to San Antonio hospital
06:37 PM CST on Sunday, March 20, 2005
By Amy Tortolani / 11 News
A man who had been on a respirator at St. Luke's Hospital arrived at a new facility Sunday in San Antonio. While the life support battle appears to be winding down, this situation could eventually involve lawmakers.
Watching the ambulance pull away from St. Luke's Hospital with Spiro Nikolouzos in it was not only a victory for his family, but another chance at life.
"I am so happy that this happened that he is out of here," said Janette Nikolouzos, patient's wife.
Spiro Nikolouzos has been an invalid since 2001 and complications last month left him unable to breathe on his own.
St. Luke' Hospital had planned to take the 68-year-old man off life support.
"This has never been an issue about St. Luke's or anyone that works at St. Luke's wanting to take this man off life support," said Dr. David Pate, St. Luke's. "It's been about what's best for him and should we be forced to continue providing care to someone that we think is futile and we think may be hurting them and ultimately, will make no impact on the quality of life."
Mrs. Nikolouzos fought to keep her husband alive and took St. Luke's to court.
After many extensions and stays, but before a final decision was ever reached, the family found a facility in San Antonio to care for their loved one.
"Free at last free at last. You didn't get to kill him," said Janette Nikolouzos.
But it's not the end of this life support case. Mrs. Nikolouzos is ready to take on Texas lawmakers who have given hospitals the right to remove patients from life support after giving 10 days notice, unless there is clear evidence another facility can provide care.
"They are out of control to make a law like this, it's shameful," said Janette Nikolouzos. "The way I feel for them giving so much power to the doctors and the hospitals they should bury their heads in the sand like an ostrich. It's disgraceful for this state.
Family members said while they won this battle, they admit the father and husband they knew will never fully recover. But at least now, they say, there's a chance.
There is supposed to be another court hearing on Wednesday, but the family's attorney said there is a conference call scheduled with the judge Monday.
Calling President Bush! Pls Pick up!
A precedent has now been set and I believe you will see a lot more grieving families calling upon their US Reps, Senators and The President to intervene on their behalf.
I can hear it now, "But you helped Terri, Why can't you help us?" ....just wait and see.
I don't know, but have no reason to believe she is.
The reports I have read indicate no physical condition that would cause pain.
She is said to flinch away from discomfort, so she is able to react to pain and that doesn't seem to be happening.
I can't say it any better than post 61 by GOP_PROUD
In Catholic theology food and water are not considered medical procedures, but basic necessities and part of the works of mercy, no matter what the state of Florida says. God's law being higher than man's law, it behooves us who actually believe the teachings to work against such things.
There ya go. He could represent himself. He could sue the car maker, the insurance company, the other car driver, and the hospital for misplacing his decapitated head.
The man's family says "no". It should be left to that. If he has a Will, fine, then the rest is irrelevant.
At what point would you say the facts trump the family?
Do we have to wait for decay to set in?
Heart machine, ventilator, feeding tube relaced by IV nutrition, ulcers putrifying .... where is the irrevocable end?
This man already has a venilator and ulcers which are only kept from putrifying by painful procedures. His body is contracted.
When would you stop?
< Of course it's about what the family wants. >
No, you are not paying attention to the poster I was responding to. They implied that "we", with yours truly being a part of the general "we", are in this fight for the parents. As I stated, I am not. I don't care what "the family" wants. Yes, usually this is a family decision. It is MS that has made it a public issue. All he had to do was walk away. He's being an a$$hole.
Actually, she is being starved right now, and that does cause pain. I know, I was starved for 4 days once for medical reasons. Horrible.
If you can't get a court to go your way, plead it to Congress. It seems to be the going rave these days.
One question I would ask: how is his heart? In this case, I imagine that sepsis from the ulcers will set in sooner or later, and once that happens, he will die, no matter what kinds of machines he is hooked to. This really isn't the kind of situation Terri is in.
I'm more worried about another "slippery slope" - people who think they should have a say in someone's DNR decision or who disagree with a valid living will, suing family members before or after the patient's death. It's a lawyer's dream!
Because in the Schiavo case the state has ordered the starvation death of a citizen. In this case, the family is free to remove their family member and take care of him as they see fit.
Terri WILL die; to keep ABORTION 'safe' for millions of American women.
If Terri is has a life worth 'value', then, because to take it (or 'allow' it) to be removed from her simply because she 'cannot speak for herself', will cause GREAT HARM to abortion 'providers'.
After all, the 'fetus' can't speak for ITSELF, either!
I think that is preferable to...
If ya cant get congress to pass a law, find a judge that will.
Lawyers are a devious bunch.
Do some research on that Texas bill and Gov Bush's position on it. It does make for a good sound bite, doesn't it?
Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant no intrinsic medical condition.
The only way I see starving and dehydrating as painless is for some types of people to watch. I hope I don't know any like that.
Agreed. You may have missed my first post. I am currently in favor of keeping Terri alive. All the information I have got says she's not even remotely dying.
I am oen tnew information, but only from souces untainted by Judge Greer.
"I can't imagine anybody in his condition wanting extraordinary means of life support to be kept alive."
I was a quadriplegic for two months, a lot of people said the same about me. That was thirty years ago and here I am, walking around almost like I was a real person.
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