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Doctor: Schiavo Autopsy Conclusions Flawed
NewsMax ^ | 6/19/05 | Carl Limbacher

Posted on 06/19/2005 6:04:50 PM PDT by wagglebee

Dr. William Hammesfahr, nominated for a Nobel Prize for his work in Medicine, has been recognized by agents for Medicare, the federal government, and others for new approaches to helping the brain injured.

Dr. Hammesfahr has been identified in helping patients with chronic brain injuries from many causes actually leave long term disability, and return to work.

Dr. Hammesfahr was identified the first physician to restore deficits caused by stroke.

Dr. Hammesfahr has released the following statement in response to the autopsy report on Terri Schindler Schiavo:

We have seen a lot on the autopsy of Terri Schindler Schiavo in recent days, that I feel needs to be addressed. To ignore these comments will allow future 'Terri Schiavo's' to die needlessly after the wishes of clinicians and family are ignored.

Considering that there were so many physicians and therapists who were willing to step forward to treat Terri Schiavo, from university based practitioners to those in private practice, it clearly shows that the mainstream medical community across the board, those involved in treating patients, knew that they could help Terri.

The record must be set straight. As we noted in the press, there was no heart attack, or evident reason for this to have happened (and certainly not of Terri's making).

Unlike the constant drumbeat from the husband, his attorneys, and his doctors, the brain tissue was not dissolved, with a head of just spinal fluid. In fact, large areas were "relatively preserved."

The purpose of the therapies offered by so many, from major universities, brain injury centers, and from private practice physicians, is to improve and restore quality of life, and function, which the mainstream medical community clearly tried to get to her.

I have had a chance to look at Dr. Nelson's analysis of the brain tissue, and essentially, as a clinician, these are my thoughts.

The autopsy results confirmed my opinion and Dr. Maxfield's opinions, that the frontal areas of the brains, the areas that deal with awareness and cognition were relatively intact. To use Dr. Nelson's words, "relatively preserved." In fact, the relay areas from the frontal and front temporal regions of the brain, to the spinal cord and the brain stem, by way of the basal ganglia, were preserved, thus the evident responses which she was able to express to her family and to the clinicians seeing her or viewing her videotape. The Spect scan confirmed these areas were functional and not scar tissue, and that was apparently also confirmed on Dr. Nelson's review of the slides. Dr. Maxfield's estimates of retained brain weight were apparently accurate, although there may have been some loss of brain weight due to the last two weeks of dehydration.

Dr. Maxfield and myself both emphasized that she was a woman trapped in her body, similar to a child with cerebral palsy, and that was born out by the autopsy, showing greater injury in the motor and visual centers of the brain. Obviously, the pathologists comments that she could not see were not borne out by reality, and thus his assessment must represent sampling error. The videotapes clearly showed her seeing, and even Dr. Cranfoed, for the husband, commented to her that, when she could see the balloon, she could follow it with her eyes as per his request.

That she could not swallow was obviously not borne out by the reality that she was swallowing her saliva, about 1.5 liters per day of liquid, and the clinical swallowing tests done by Dr. Young and Dr. Carpenter. Thus, there appears to be some limitations to the clinical accuracy of an autopsy in evaluating function.

With respect to the issue of trauma, that certainly does not appear to be answered adequately. Some of the types of trauma that are suspected were not adequately evaluated in this assessment. Interestingly, both myself and at least one neurologist for the husband testified to the presence of neck injuries. The issue of a forensic evaluation for trauma, is highly specialized. Hence the wish of the family to have observers which was refused by the examiner.

Ultimately, based on the clinical evidence and the autopsy results, an aware woman was killed.

s/Dr. W. Hammesfahr

[Dr. Hammesfahr was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1999. The Nomination was for work started in 1994. In 2000, this work resulted in approval for the first patent in history granted for the treatment of neurological diseases including coma, stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, hypoxic injuries and other neurovascular disorders with medications that restore blood flow to the brain. It was extended to treat successfully disabilities including ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette's and Autism as well as behaviorally and emotionally disturbed children, seizures and severe migraines.]


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dailynutjob; emotionallydisabled; euthanasia; fraud; hammesfahr; nobellaureate; nominatedbyhismama; schiavoautopsy; swindlers; terrischiavo; williamhammesfahr; worldsgreatestdoctor; wppff
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To: Peach

The Neurologist from the Mayo Clinic, who pleaded for her life in the final days, said in his opinion she was Minimally Conscious, not PVS. However, no matter which of the two she was, the issue of deliberate dehydration unto death is unresolved. It will never be resolved. Unless all of us on the "err on the side of life" in cases like hers are also put to death, and the historical knowledge of her case is expunged from the public and even private record.


161 posted on 06/20/2005 8:08:52 AM PDT by txrangerette
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To: Trinity_Tx

"World Nut Daily"

ROFLMAO.....Priceless!


162 posted on 06/20/2005 8:09:53 AM PDT by Smartaleck
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To: Voir Dire
I have yet to see a valid explanation as to why MS perjured himself in court when he testified under oath he would care for her for her LIFE EXPECTANCY, and then discontinued her rehab and petitioned the court to kill her after he received his money.

Could have changed his mind because he assumed that Terri would respond to therapy (she didnt) or it could be as you say he is scurilous character out for the money. That doesnt change the medical facts of the case or whether Dr H is quack or not. Ive said the Schindlers were hurt the most by Dr H and his expert "testimony".

We can agree that neither of us would like someone like Michael for a spouse but that doesnt have anything to do with whether he attempted to murder Terri, what Terri's wishes were, whether she was in persistent vegetative state or not, or whether Dr H is quack. Your hatred of Michael is clouding your ability to look at the facts.

163 posted on 06/20/2005 8:09:54 AM PDT by Dave S
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To: Smartaleck; Lancey Howard
"The forensic doctor could pretty much say anything he wanted"

How could he do so and have it comport with the 247 pictures taken, the fluids lab tests and medical slide samples taken of the tissue much less with all the historical documentation of the patient?

No, he couldn't say pretty much anything he wanted to. He sent samples out to other specialists for their examination. I'd have to go back and look at the report, but I think he sent the entire heart to a cardiac specialist, and the brain was examined by a neurologist. And, as Smackaleck has pointed out, there are the existing medical records, beginning with the records from the initial emergency response and hospitalization.

Dr. T didn't work in a vacuum, other physicians with difference medical specialties were involved. So, I guess the conspiracy has widened, eh?

164 posted on 06/20/2005 8:11:28 AM PDT by .38sw
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To: Earthdweller
The backroom. In this case the backroom has a small table with one checkboard on it. The black checkers are played by a young man who had parents, one died in his sleep, the other lingered. Finally the medical personnel at the care facility convinced the young man to pull the tube. They promised the end for his mom would be quick and painless.

On the other side of the board -- his uncle. An old geezer. The nephew's his only living relative. He plays the red checkers a bit more desperately than a neutral observor would expect. He's nervous and a bit short and cranky. But he clearly is the better player. The observer notices that the youngster, even when he cheats, makes mistakes that compound his poor moves.

The youngster has a slight mean streak. He wants the game to be over already -- but he just can't easily manage to win.

165 posted on 06/20/2005 8:13:05 AM PDT by bvw
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To: .38sw
No, he couldn't say pretty much anything he wanted to. He sent samples out to other specialists for their examination. I'd have to go back and look at the report, but I think he sent the entire heart to a cardiac specialist, and the brain was examined by a neurologist. And, as Smackaleck has pointed out, there are the existing medical records, beginning with the records from the initial emergency response and hospitalization.

Dr. T didn't work in a vacuum, other physicians with difference medical specialties were involved. So, I guess the conspiracy has widened, eh?

Exactly. This notion that Thogmartin worked in secret and alone is wrong wrong wrong.

166 posted on 06/20/2005 8:17:10 AM PDT by cyncooper
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To: Dave S

"Could have changed his mind because he assumed that Terri would respond to therapy"

Holy feeding tube, Batman!

HE COULD HAVE CHANGED HIS MIND!

How convenient that this change of mind did not occur until after he got his money and cut off the therapy.
What a toad.

Yes, i hate what he did, as I hate what OJ did, but that does not cloud my perception of the facts. I have read the autopsy report, as well as hundreds of pages of court documents, so my opinions are based on infomation.

And sir, my opinion was not formed until after I read the legal documents and court testimony and available medical records.


167 posted on 06/20/2005 8:18:56 AM PDT by Voir Dire (I'm seeing and saying.)
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To: Earthdweller

""I have yet to see a valid explanation as to why MS perjured himself in court when he testified under oath he would care for her for her LIFE EXPECTANCY, and then discontinued her rehab and petitioned the court to kill her after he received his money.""

Thanks, Earthdweller. Why am I only hearing crickets on this issue?


168 posted on 06/20/2005 8:20:17 AM PDT by Voir Dire (I'm seeing and saying.)
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To: cyncooper
This notion that Thogmartin worked in secret and alone is wrong wrong wrong

But why would you expect anything more of people who look to WND or Sean Hannity for their daily truth. Hannity is still babling about the Nobel Nominee Dr H. He either is a lying sack of shit or he has an IQ of 75.

169 posted on 06/20/2005 8:21:49 AM PDT by Dave S
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To: cyncooper
Oh right- I forgot.

It is okay for y'all to lump people who thought there was a problem with this case together- but not anyone else can do that.

And you get to make up the rules on posting as well?

Well, haven't you got a cozy position around here?

170 posted on 06/20/2005 8:22:13 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: bjs1779; Howlin

From various -
During an interview today (March 31, 2005) on Your World w/Neil Cavuto, the Rev. Pat Robertson falsely stated that Dr. William Hammesfahr, a Florida physician who examined Terri Schiavo and claimed Schiavo would improve under his care, is "a noted Nobel Prize winning neurologist."
Wonder where Pat got that impression?

In many of those appearances Hammesfahr was touted as "nominated for the Nobel Prize," (four times in one show with Sean Hannity on Fox News Channel, for example; Pat Robertson introduced Hammesfahr incorrectly on "The 700 Club" as a "Nobel Prize winner.")
Wonder if Hamm corrected Robinson?....doubt it.


171 posted on 06/20/2005 8:27:17 AM PDT by Smartaleck
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To: wagglebee

read later


172 posted on 06/20/2005 8:27:45 AM PDT by TX Bluebonnet
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To: bvw
Oh ...now there you go again....making me feel bad for the stupid younger guy. LOL.


"Sit back and enjoy Agnus this newest FR food fight is gonna be good."

173 posted on 06/20/2005 8:27:49 AM PDT by Earthdweller (US descendant of French Protestants_"Where there is life, there is hope"..Terri Schindler)
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To: cyncooper
Oh right. Jeb is grandstanding because he thinks he is going to get ...... What for it?

What is his motivation for grandstanding on such a "foolish" purpose?

174 posted on 06/20/2005 8:28:04 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: Diva Betsy Ross
It is okay for y'all to lump people who thought there was a problem with this case together- but not anyone else can do that.

Of course, the fact is, I don't do that.

I guess your cozy position is just making it up as you go along.

175 posted on 06/20/2005 8:31:52 AM PDT by cyncooper
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To: Diva Betsy Ross
...such a "foolish" purpose?

You're making things up again...

176 posted on 06/20/2005 8:35:40 AM PDT by cyncooper
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To: Dave S
That is ok. IT is your right to believe what you want. I disagree with you. Bottom line for me is this: I do not think TERRI (not necessarily her parents) received her Constitutional rights and I believe that Judge Greer should be held in contempt of Congress.

I do believe that the parents should be considered by law as "family" tho...

As in, where there is no living will let the "family" decide.

For the record, I denounce calling any freeper a murder or a Nazi. I do NOT feel that even the most energized Judge Greer Supporter is guilty of murder, of being a Nazi, a kook, a liar, or a death cultist.... and I have never said anyone on your side was any of those things.

I question what we should call what Greer did to Terri. I believe THAT borders on killing someone- murder? I don't know about that.(fine point I know)

I think the people who agree with you and I have interrupted the data differently and have a difference of opinion over which branch of the government SHOULD have more power in decisions like this.

As far as I can tell this wasn't even the entire Judicial system- it was one judge.

And I have a big problem with that.

177 posted on 06/20/2005 8:38:52 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: wagglebee
That she could not swallow was obviously not borne out by the reality that she was swallowing her saliva, about 1.5 liters per day of liquid, and the clinical swallowing tests done by Dr. Young and Dr. Carpenter.

Duh. They killed her and had the nerve to tell us that she could not swallow yet she had been swallowing her own saliva. What a goofy world in which we live.

178 posted on 06/20/2005 8:39:31 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy (I miss Terri - IMPEACH JUDGE GREER!!!)
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To: Peach
accepts cash only and is considered an alternative medicine doctor

My kinda guy!

179 posted on 06/20/2005 8:41:12 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy (I miss Terri - IMPEACH JUDGE GREER!!!)
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To: cyncooper
Does that mean you do not have an answer to the question?

IF it is grandstanding- what is his motivation for it?

Saying it is grandstanding implies there is some, less than honest motivation and pay off for him...So what would that be?

180 posted on 06/20/2005 8:41:46 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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