Feeding Tube To Remain. Judge Issues Stay.[Terri Schiavo]

[MarMema]

If the remaining body minus the brain was harvested for organs at least five people would live. Two kidneys, two lobes of the liver and one heart. So...by keeping Terri Schiavo " alive" ( I contend she died her brain died) you deny life to five other people. So in the hard calculus of sanctity, is it justifiable to allow five others to die to prove a point? Not so easy now is it?

Ping to post 222. Here's a classic utlitarian poster for us all. A newbie to boot, but at least he or she is honest.

[MarMema]

And what do you do for a living?

[Ohioan from Florida]

I'm thinking that the Jergers bought it out or something like that. The timing could be an important thing to look into. It's a little sketchy in my brain what we found back then, but if we did it once, we can do it again!

[ElkGroveDan]

Why does this have to be so difficult?

Because her husband tried to kill her and he will do anything to prevent her from recovering and testifying against him.

[Ohioan from Florida]

I could be remembering it wrong, but I don't think so. It was very shocking. I remember they used the words about the brain 'grew' meaning it continued developing. Maybe it was microcephaly. That might account for why they originally though it was anencephaly, wouldn't it? Basically a misdiagnosis at first?

[MarMema]

The radiologists noted the complete absence of CEREBRAL CORTEX. She does have a brainstem which controls autonomic functions. Brain stems have nothing to do with cognitive functions.

I got a phone call from my physician about a chest xray, taken about 4 months ago, asking if I was coughing because it showed I had pneumonia. A repeat Xray one week later showed I did not. There was an attached explanation about the error of the first Xray.

Karen Quinlan was supposed to have a severely damaged cerebral cortex and at autopsy it was found to be fairly intact after all. Some ten plus years later they finally let it out that they were wrong. It was her thalamus which had been destroyed.

If you work in the field, as you seem to be trying to suggest here, then you know as well as I do that there are cases every week where someone who should never have lived gets up and goes home, blood gases or other lab measurements incompatible with life are repeated in vain as accurate and yet the person survives, and some person with a routine problem just goes bad unexpectedly and you lose him or her for no explainable reason.

Now tell me about your god of science again?

[Nice50BMG]

I have been on my knees all night for Terri. I pray that other are too. Prayer is not the "last" weapon, but the "best" weapon that we have against the forces of evil.

Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayers.

[MarMema]

But Terri will suffer greatly as she is starving and dehydrating and then her kidneys will shut down and she will become septic and die.

Thank you, and liver failure is supposed to be a real joy as well, I understand. UTI's are so pleasant to endure.

[MarMema]

I have been on my knees all night for Terri

God Bless you.

[Ohioan from Florida]

I'd be happy to chip in, and I know hundreds of others who would as well. Just let me pick the institution and the doctors performing the MRIs. There's some nice ones mentioned in the journal, Neurology, recently. Let's check with them.

[texastoo]

Prisoners have rights.

IIRC, the prisoners of some states sued for a more humane way of death other than the electric chair or gas chamber,I forgot which one. Maybe a case could be made that it is inhumane to starve Terri, as she lived a week the last time they tried to starve her. The more humane thing would be to give her a potassium bolus like they do the Texas prisoners. Since these judges and MS want to kill her, let them do it in a humane way.

[MarMema]

COLPOCEPHALY is a disorder in which there is an abnormal enlargement of the occipital horns–the posterior or rear portion of the lateral ventricles (cavities or chambers) of the brain. This enlargement occurs when there is an underdevelopment or lack of thickening of the white matter in the posterior cerebrum. Colpocephaly is characterized by microcephaly (abnormally small head) and mental retardation. Other features may include motor abnormalities, muscle spasms, and seizures.

Although the cause is unknown, researchers believe that the disorder results from an intrauterine disturbance that occurs between the second and sixth months of pregnancy.

Colpocephaly may be diagnosed late in pregnancy, although it is often misdiagnosed as hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain). It may be more accurately diagnosed after birth when signs of mental retardation, microcephaly, and seizures are present.

There is no definitive treatment for colpocephaly. Anticonvulsant medications can be given to prevent seizures, and doctors try to prevent contractures (shrinkage or shortening of muscles).

The prognosis for individuals with colpocephaly depends on the severity of the associated conditions and the degree of abnormal brain development. Some children benefit from special education.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Perhaps that's what happened then.

[MarMema]

Oh sure, everyone wants organs from drug users and sociopaths.
What's a little Hep C for life when you need a kidney, after all?

[MarMema]

Since these judges and MS want to kill her, let them do it in a humane way.

That's exactly what they are hoping you will conclude. Right before you vote.

[MarMema]

Just stay away from those who frequent the NEJM. The former editor is a euthanasia-worshipper.

[MarMema]

The problem is the method of execution

Not too worry. Some at Boston Childrens ICU are working on a better plan. Take the brain damaged kids there to the table, get the organs, and let them expire.