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* The court ordered the removal of all nutrition and hydration from Terri Schindler, which meant NOTHING by MOUTH. The order never mentioned the feeding tube. *

I wonder if that fact has set precedent for not allowing a person to have food and water, who doesn't even have a feeding tube and can still eat by mouth. Interesting.

The progression of what is medical care has fallen over the clift. Actually even that has been happening for years under the cover of darkness. A friend of mine's grandma was dehydrated to death in the 70's by her doctor.

She begged for water, food and even ice chips, but the doctor had told the family it was not allowed. It took her about 10 days to die and it was NOT her choice. My friend can't believe her mom and aunt listened to the doctor and agreed with his orders. I asked what was put on the death certificate, thinking it would be something medical.

It was DEHYDRATION. Needless to say, I was shocked. I hope people have woken up to the fact that doctors are not gods and they should not be obeyed, like they are.

"I hope people have woken up to the fact that doctors are not gods and they should not be obeyed, like they are."

Pepper you are so RIGHT. I hope so too.

If I might relay a personal experience. When my father had cancer (this was in the mid 80's), as my mother was deceased, it was my responsibility to care for him, which I did gladly. It was an honor and a privilege, he was such a good man. I was 25 at the time.

A Catholic sister who came regularly to give him communion said to me, when I was upset by something that had happened, YOU are your father's ADVOCATE. Until that moment I had not realized that is exactly what I had been doing and the way I should continue to approach his care.

When his doctor made an error about the amount of injection medication to give him and went on vacation (I didn't have enough medicine and fortunately was able to convince the hospital pharmacy of the mistake and they gave me more), I told my uncle, my father's brother, about the doctor's mistake. My uncle responded that someone so educated would not make such a mistake. I told my uncle EVERYBODY is capable of making mistakes even doctors and explained to him how the doctor miscalculated. My uncle insisted the doctor would NOT have made that mistake (I can assure you my father would have disagreed with my uncle.) and was concerned that perhaps I was taking the drugs. I was incredulous. My uncle would rather have believed I was taking drugs (drugs have NEVER been a weakness or even a temptation for me) than that the doctor had made a mathematical mistake. It was then that I realized many people are of the erroneous opinion that doctors are infallible. This is one of the many facts of life I was to find astounding as a young adult.

There were many times throughout his illness that I had to advocate for the proper adjustment for his care as in more pain medication, and eventually pain medication delivered intravenously, etc. Had I NOT done so my father's suffering would have been far more severe. Fortunately, no one at that time suggested any measures to shorten his life. And had they, I would NOT have been fooled. But I understand from my conversation with my uncle many people might be.

I continued to care for my father at home (I had had some nursing training), despite pressure from a close family member, who had just put his father-in law in a nursing home, that I put mine in one, and despite pressure from the very same uncle I mentioned above (whose family cared for him at home when he became ill with cancer), that I put my father in the hospital. I had worked in both and knew I was capable of delivering better and more constant care. I NEVER doubted those decisions, but as time progresses and I read more and more horror stories regarding medical institutions, including the story you relayed, I am even happier we stuck to the original strategy we decided as a family before my father became so ill.

How sad for your friend.

"I wonder if that fact has set precedent for not allowing a person to have food and water, who doesn't even have a feeding tube and can still eat by mouth. Interesting."

Greer's order has most certainly established precedent and a MOST dangerous one. It was DELIBERATE and INTENTIONAL on Greer's part. Terri's case was used for this purpose by Euthanasia enthusiasts, and was ordained from the outset.