[vox humana]

The tube was removed Wednesday. As of Monday, doctors estimated Terri Schiavo would live little more than another week.

One has to wonder what additional permanent damage has been done to the body and the brain by withholding nutrition for the past five days.

[Qwinn]

"One has to wonder what additional permanent damage has been done to the body and the brain by withholding nutrition for the past five days."

Probably not as bad as you think. Remember, it's not like she's sweating or exercising and burning calories. In that state a human being can go a remarkably long time without being permanently damaged by lack of food and water. At a rough guess I wouldn't expect real damage to occur until about 8-10 days. If she gets put back on tomorrow, she should be fine.

Of course, this is assuming she had no medical issues that I'm unaware of beforehand. Also, I have no idea what effect the morphine would have on her (raising or lowering metabolism, that is).

Qwinn