Ever heard of a living will? Many people don't want to be kept indefinately on life support when doctors say there is no chance of improvement. That is why hospitals ask for a Living Will document whenever you go in for major surgery to avoid this kind of catastrophe dragging out.
She is not ON "life support" she is fed daily by a tube (think spoon instead) via her mouth!
If she were on life support, it wouldn't take "1-2 weeks" for her to die. She would die in minutes/hours.
Yes, I have. Hospitals are now required to ask entering inpatients whether they have an advance directive (same thing) or not? If they do not, then they are asked whether they would like information about drawing up an advance directive.
In Terri's case, I do not know if she drew up an advance directive before she attained her current condition. In her condition, she would not be able to. The decisions then go to a family member who has power of attorney for health care, if that has been arranged. If not, it goes to next nearest of kin willing to assume responsibility. The spouse does have precedence over blood kin, but that may vary by state.
Terri is not on life support. She breathes without a respirator. A feeding tube is used in various circumstances, including the inability to swallow.