Florida Woman to Be Allowed to Die Despite Family's Wishes

CNSNews.com ^ | 8/05/03 | Jeff Johnson

[CFW]

It's my understanding that as her spouse the hubby has all say so regarding her medical treatment. If he don't authorize it, it can't be done.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I saw this poor woman on TV, and she looked cognitive to me. I think that it is tragic that she has been denied rehabiltative services all these years. It was obvious from the film that she recognized her family and was delighted in their attention.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[beachn4fun]

understood, but something still does not seem quite right about the whole story. There seems to be conflicting pieces in the article. Got to do more research on it.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I will volunteer my services to the Schindler family to help raid the facility Terri is in and sneak her away to whatever location they deem fit and safe. I'll pay my own way to Florida and all my expenses.

You've been reading my mind;-)

[nina0113]

CFW is correct - her husband as legal next-of-kin has refused all rehabilitative therapy for her. He has been shacked up with his 'fiancee' for years and they have at least one child together. Terri's family has tried to buy Michael off, promising if he would just divorce their daughter so that they could assume responsibility for her, he could keep the medical settlement money. Though he's already blown most of it suing to kill her.

Why would he want her dead rather than recovered? Not completely, that's impossible. But what would she say about the night of her attack, if she could speak?

[nina0113]

O'Reilly had a video of her on his show a week or so ago - she was looking at her mother (I believe that's who it was - I came in in the middle), smiling and trying to laugh. Her eyes tracked her mother and her facial expression clearly changed. Not even close to PVS.

[al_c]

The Florida Supreme Court declined Friday to lift a lower court's stay that is preventing removal of a feeding tube keeping a brain-damaged woman alive.

[Howlin]

I knew there had to be more to this story. Do you have any links so I can get up to speed on this?

[Antoninus]

Not if she is persistant vegetative state. Without brain function, how is going to feel pain?

Until you've watched the video, please shut up.

[SarahW]

so then, why is removing a feeding tube going to kill her?
She should be able to sip water and nibble food. The court order is for the artificial life support to be ended, not to deny her water or food the regular way.

[najida]

My guess is she has dysphagia and may be at risk for aspiration.

Just because she can't feed herself isn't a reason for putting in a PEG. Usually, in LTC settings, if a person can swallow and eat normally, they are fed by staff. That is something that is expected per state regs. Unless their oral intake is so poor that they aren't meeting their caloric needs (which could also be her case.)

Granted, that is the usual. This case is just weird. I have never heard of a feeding tube being pulled from someone who is clearly conscious like her.

[small_l_libertarian]

The feeding tube was originally put in so that it would be easier for her caretakers to feed her. Up until that point, she was being fed normally.

A couple of years ago, when this dispute first started getting really hot and heavy, her parents requested that the nursing home try to feed her normally to see if she could still swallow. The nursing home said that they would be willing to try, but the husband refused to allow them to do it.

[nickcarraway]

I fervently hope that Governor Bush intervenes. This man is trying to cover up a crime, and killing a person to do it.

[small_l_libertarian]

I live here in Tampa. If you go through with this, contact me via Freepmail. I'll help you.

[nickcarraway]

Tell me where to sign up...

[MEGoody]

"so then, why is removing a feeding tube going to kill her?"

There are any number of cases where someone is unable to feed themselves or eat solid food, but they are not 'brain dead' or a 'vegetable'. Should we starve someone to death simply because they cannot feed themselves or eat solid food? I doubt you'd agree to that.

[najida]

In the average 100 bed LTC facility, there is usually about 12 to 20 tube feeders. Some are on a combination of oral feedings by day and tube feedings by night. Some eat meals and get bolus feedings via tube between meals. Whatever workds best.

It is very common. Many are alert, oriented. Just unable to physically feed themselves or unable to chew/swallow or not able to consume a sufficient amount of food by mouth.

Granted, as some people become more debilitated, family chooses not to put in a tube. But once the commitment is made, it stays until death (or improvement).

This is the first (honestly, after 15 years in LTC) time I have heard of a tube being pulled from someone who is not dying &/or vegetative.

[nina0113]

There's one in post 16. It's been redone since the last time I really looked at it, so I can't tell you where to look on the site for anything specific, but it's all there somewhere. The case has been a big deal in the pro-life community for years.

[GailA]

This is sickening