[bjs1779]

Dr. Hammesfahr's experience with her must have been rewarding.

Remember when he put the q-tip thing in Terri's mouth? Dr. Hammesfahr said she wouldn't smile at him any more that day!

[T'wit]

Fun! I had quite forgotten that, so went back to reread Dr. Hammesfahr's testimony about his examinations. Here it is -- he was testing to see if she could feel pain (answer, yes: all over her body).

"On the face, noxious stimulation including cotton swab up the nose and gag sensation and papillary touch with cotton evidenced a pain response. These were more than just reflexes, as she appeared to be annoyed by these painful responses long after they had stopped, and would not smile at me again for the rest of the day."

Interestingly enough, MS was present and paying close attention. He would soon after claim that she could feel no pain when he had her put to an agonizing death. That could not have been mere error on his part. He knew it was a lie.

[T'wit]

Dr. Hammesfahr's general impression, based on his own and Dr. Maxfield's examinations. Why didn't we see this in the press?

"Impression:

"The patient is not in coma.

"She is alert and responsive to her environment. She responds to specific people best. She tries to please others by doing activities for which she gets verbal praise. She responds negatively to poor tone of voice. She responds to music.

"She differentiates sounds from voices.

"She differentiates specific people's voices from others.

"She differentiates music from stray sound.

"She attempts to verbalize.

"She has voluntary control over multiple extremities

"She can swallow.

"She is partially blind

"She is probably aphasic and has a degree of receptive aphasia.

"She can feel pain.

"On this last point, it is interesting to observe that the records from Hospice show frequent medication administered for pain by staff."