[nosofar]

“Patients who are terminally ill and conscious and refuse food and drink at the end of life say that they do not generally experience pangs of hunger, since their bodies do not need much food.”

This may actually be true. The problem here is that Terry Schiavo was 'at the end of life' for 15 years. IOW, she was not physically at the end of life.

[Earthdweller]

"...she was not physically at the end of life."

You nailed it.

In addition, who are we to say that her mental state was "unacceptable". Just look at that smile.

Terri Schiavo Before dehydration