When the court issues orders banning nurses from putting ice chips in her mouth, the court has moved well beyond a "right to refuse treatment" case.
That is a real sticking point with me, too.I *really* need to go lie down. Back in a bit.
It can't be right to not allow an obviously thirsty and hungry person to at least *try* to eat or drink.
I know the reason is because she is legally considered PVS. Plus, her having failed all tests to swallow in the first three years (the most critical time period, and while she was being given speech and "swallow" therapy), they believe it would lead to one of two things:
1. She aspirates and gets pneumonia (not good if they wind up putting the tube back in)
2. She is able to ingest just enough to make her starvation and dehydration last a very long time.
But still... it just seems wrong morally and legally to use those possibilities as a reason to deny even giving her a chance.