[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.

[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.