Wow, what an ordeal. Was your child brain dead? I took the other tact. We discontinued our son's life support. If there was a one percent chance of my son recovering, I would have held out. There was no hope in my case.
I your second son's case, the problem was that his lungs and other essential organs were not developed enough. I know there also was a chance that he would develop major medical problems. If I was in your place, I would have taken the route you did. Because, there was a good chance he would come out of this ok. In Terri's case, she will never be the person she was. The part of the brain that makes her who she was, is gone. There is nothing there. The only thing keeping her alive is her brain stem, and that part of the brain is always the last to go, unless it was damaged to begin with. Anyway, that is my humble opinion.
God Bless you. How is your son?
Beeline,
My first son did not have any lung tissue and would not develop it ex-utero (if that is the correct term). It was just a matter of time before he would have been brain dead, since he was no longer connected to his mom via the umbilical. Like you, there were no alternatives, barring a miracle.
In my second son's case, there was a chance of survival, but he faced underdeveloped lungs, immune system, an e-coli infection,and the potential for CP. The odds were not in his favor, which is why I baptized him as soon as he was born. The chances were less than 50%, but I, like you, would've done the same if the chances were even 1%.
Here's where our views may part ways. You state that the part of the brain that makes her who she is, is gone. That may be, but from everything I read, she is much more than a breathing automaton and there is substantial conflict among doctors who have examined her as to her mental state. To me, tha constitutes a life of some sort. If she, as has been reported in the MSM, is able to vocalize and recognize people, then she is not in PVS. She might not get better, but with appropriate medical care and rehab, she might. I just couldn't stand by as her parent and see her not given that chance (1% or less). Finally, I see it as God's job to determine the time of death, not man's.
As far as my son, he is a healthy, happy and active 6 year old who has no vestiges of his early trials. While it has been six years, I'm still amazed at the depth of feeling this memory brings to the surface. My son is a blessing to all who know him. We are regularly told that he's one of those people that other people just love, and aren't really sure why. He's a special kid. God also blessed us with a little girl (now 3). I am blessed by my children and look forward to being reunited with my first son in eternity. Thank you for your blessing. May God bless and keep you as well.