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A couple of weeks ago, Terri was hospitalized and extremely ill. So ill, in fact, that we could have lost her. I think if she truly wanted to die (as her "husband" is fond of saying), she had the opportunity to do so then. She didn't.

Any Dr or nurse would agree that the mind has a lot to do with how the body heals. A patient almost has to "want to heal" if they are going to heal. With everything that was physically wrong with Terri then, she should have died. She didn't. To my romantic and sentimental heart, that says she has a pretty strong will to live and that her soul isn't really stuck. She just doesn't seem to be ready to let go of her physical life.

It is important to find the comparison between this event and the events leading up to the death of Robert Wendland. His case, also very visible, gained tremendous momentum and he "suddenly" died of pneumonia before its outcome. This is an "exit protocol" and it's neither the first nor the last time it will happen. It is my firm belief that this was happening with Terri as well.

I am of the belief that it was what made the Governor take action as well. His letter to Judge Greer mentioned it.

The point you make is an interesting one and I've always found idealogy a fascinating subject. But, I think that on any level, it remains rather clear that Terri's "in there" and has no intention of leaving any time soon.

-P-

Robert Wendland

"Mrs. Wendland told the Times that doctors at Lodi Memorial Hospital informed her July 2 that her husband had an infection. One of his lungs collapsed July 8, and doctors were not able to drain all the fluid from it, according to the Times.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia, and was given antibiotics. When they did not work, Mrs. Wendland "made the decision that aggressive treatment was not in his interest, and he was kept comfortable," Lawrence Nelson, Mrs. Wendland's lawyer, told the Times.

Mrs. Wendland ordered that Robert's mother should not be told the details of her son's medical condition while he was suffering from pneumonia, the Times reported. According to the newspaper, the Superior Court in Stockton and the 3rd District Court of Appeal rejected Florence Wendland's emergency petitions to find out the details of his condition and to have Robert examined by a doctor of her choice.

Crist is involved in the case of the man trying to fly his flag despite the homeowners' association prohibition to the contrary. Why can't he get involved in a life-saving issue? Read below:

Flag-Flying Veteran Gets Chance to Keep His Home

Remember George Andres, the Marine veteran whose homeowners association is trying to take his house because he dares to fly Old Glory on a flagpole? A judge sided with Florida's attorney general Thursday and delayed foreclosure until the 4th District Court of Appeal hears the case.

Attorney General Charlie Crist said flying the American flag "is a precious right that ought to be protected."

"The idea that an ex-Marine wouldn't be able to fly the American flag obviously is wrong," Crist said.

Andres expressed relief. "I think it's absolutely fantastic," he said. "It was a worry."

ACLU, where are you?

And Charlie Crist, why can't you help Terri?

Do you think that Michael Schiavo's 64-degree order has inadvertently prolonged poor Terri's life by making it less likely that bacteria will thrive in her room? He won't allow antibiotics; so any serious bacteria could kill her. The cold room may actually work to keep her alive. If he had ordered an 80-degree room, she might have already been dead.

Also, I don't understand why the nurses don't object to his 64-degree order. Are other patients allowed to set their thermostats where they wish? Or is this "privilege" only for Michael Schiavo? I thought that institutions had guidelines that they had to follow in regard to thermostats. Didn't Jimmy Carter once order thermostats at 78 degrees?

Why is Michael Schiavo not having to use the remaining portion of Terri's health care funds now? I read that the hospice gets Medicaid for Terri. So Terri is "officially poor" under U.S. guidelines. Why doesn't Michael Schiavo have to use some of his own funds for Terri's care since he insists on being married to her?