terri schiavo
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I feel for everyone involved. There aren't any good answers, but I keep going back to the movie, "Johnny Got His Gun" (http://indie.imdb.com/title/tt0067277/) and can't help but feel that being trapped inside that body must be the worst horror imaginable, if this poor woman even has any cognitive brain function at all.
I was listening to an interview with one of the doctors who treated her after this happened to her, and the scans showed that large areas of her cerebral cortex (http://ifcsun1.ifisiol.unam.mx/Brain/cercox.htm) had been destroyed and replaced by a gelatinous substance. Further reading revealed that tests show the cortex is now replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terri_Schiavo#Issues_of_dispute)
I was listening to an interview with one of the doctors who treated her after this happened to her, and the scans showed that large areas of her cerebral cortex (http://ifcsun1.ifisiol.unam.mx/Brain/cercox.htm) had been destroyed and replaced by a gelatinous substance. Further reading revealed that tests show the cortex is now replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terri_Schiavo#Issues_of_dispute)
Renee - you are so right...there is no good answer. I just can't imagine starving someone to death, even in her condition. I hope and pray that she can't feel any pain. Do you think from what you have heard and read that she cannot feel anything? This has been bothering me and I just can't stop thinking about her and her family. I just have a bad feeling about her husband. I know that I shouldn't judge someone that I don't even know...but based on the past. Supposedly he wouldn't allow her to get any therapy. Terri's brother said in an interview that Michael would not allow any video cameras in her room for the last 3 years. (not to mention all of the money they were awarded). I don't know...something just doesn't add up.
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I am a very strong believer in the right to die issues. But something in this case really bothers me. I've been disturbed by it clear back when it first happen but wont go into that. But I will say one thing now that bothers me is simply not being allowed to offer her water. I worked in a nursing home years ago, when a feeding tube was removed we still had to offer fluids. I seen with Teri they had a guard set up to make sure nothing was offered to her. That bothers me alot.
Check out the links, especially the second one, and I think you'll feel a bit better. I saw a breakdown on the money her family is complaining about (and why are they even worried about money if it's all supposed to be about her anyway?) and very little of it actually went to her husband. The majority of it has gone to legal and medical bills.
Think about it; her heart attack was brought on by an eating disorder. That tells you that she was very self-conscious about her appearance. Would a person like that want to be video taped in the condition she is in? Can you imagine the humiliation and horror she would be feeling now - if she could - of all the photos and films of her being shown all over the world? And think about it, even though Michael Schiavo has a new life, he's seen to her care for all these years, obviously cared very deeply about her welfare, when most would have walked away and told her blood-family to carry on. His new family must be incredibly compassionate and understanding to be dealing with all of this as well.
If you'll read the information in the second link, I think you'll find some things clarified and can find a little peace in your heart over this tragic situation. This poor being deserves a chance to go on peacefully and gently into that good night . . .
Think about it; her heart attack was brought on by an eating disorder. That tells you that she was very self-conscious about her appearance. Would a person like that want to be video taped in the condition she is in? Can you imagine the humiliation and horror she would be feeling now - if she could - of all the photos and films of her being shown all over the world? And think about it, even though Michael Schiavo has a new life, he's seen to her care for all these years, obviously cared very deeply about her welfare, when most would have walked away and told her blood-family to carry on. His new family must be incredibly compassionate and understanding to be dealing with all of this as well.
If you'll read the information in the second link, I think you'll find some things clarified and can find a little peace in your heart over this tragic situation. This poor being deserves a chance to go on peacefully and gently into that good night . . .
Becca, the difference is she doesn't have the function to be able to swallow the fluids. The insult to her brain was profound - destruction of the cerebral cortex.
From there you get into the issue of what is more "acceptable:" withholding everything and allowing her body to shut down sooner from dehydration, or provide subcutaneous fluids and prolong death by starvation.
From there you get into the issue of what is more "acceptable:" withholding everything and allowing her body to shut down sooner from dehydration, or provide subcutaneous fluids and prolong death by starvation.
I think it is toooo sad for all. I can't imagine the ordeal for the husband or parents. I keep having this strange hang-up about the husband having all the legal rights...like she is his property or something. I know...sounds silly, but it's just something that bothers me. Even if it isn't right for poor Terri....I guess I can't grasp that the parents are not allowed to become her complete guardian..responsible for her care to free the husband. Obviously it stresses the need to have a living will. I think the husband is very brave...I bet he's receiving lots of threats and such. It's just toooooo sad. 
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Yesterday I read he was asking for an autopsy after she dies. That bothered me. I understand he'd want one but it makes it sound like he's just sitting there counting the days before she dies. At least wait til she dies then ask for one. I dont know, I have some problems with him. The fact the parents years ago said they'd take over paying for her care. I dont know, just think something fishy with him.
me im sick of hearing about it and driving near the crowd i live in dunedin which is a suburb of clearwater i feel bad for them but on the other hand im sick of hearing about it. if i were here i would have wanted it takin out after 1 year. she has been this way for 15 years thats crazy to not be able to speak or anything only see the world passing you by.
becca 4321 - I agree totally. He decides everything that has anything to do with Terri. They (her parents & Michael) argued over what priest should give her last rights. He never "allowed" her parents to offer any physical therapy or speech therapy. You should check out her website (www.terrisfight.org). There is a page where you can leave the family a message. It is such a horrible thing. One question I have is...why does her husband still have custody of her when he has gone on with his life. He has a fiance and two children. I mean...he is engaged BUT he is still married to Terri. I don't understand that at all. Why wouldn't that be considered adultry? About the autopsy...I agree that should be done but why talk about that right now. It's like becca 4321 said...is he just waiting for her to die? I don't know...I just have a knot in my stomach like there is more about her husband than what we really know. I hope that I am wrong, but something just doesn't seem right.
this is me personally..i am glad she is on morphine..at least there is one person in her life that has compassion..i hope she is getting tons of it..i will tell you from personal experience..that in the nearest nursing home to you..something like this is going on every day. I saw a woman that died of impaction..her doc saw her the NIGHT before. You don't die of impaction in one day..he knew and he let her go..a very very hard way. She spoke only two words when i cared for her, most the time she cried when you had to turn her ( and nobody in the world tried harder to be gentle than i did) i could lift an 80 lb woman and set her down with as much care a a fragile egg shell. I got strong..i did back push ups to do this job. I had finished taking care of this woman when she said "your cute" and she was dead two weeks later. I heard people pray to die at night..not pray for one more day. What we do to your people is wrong and i hope with all my heart that this will one day change and we will be able to be merciful to the people we love most. I could sit here and write a hundred stories just like the impaction one. You don't want to know.nobody does...but there is no good way to die unless it is like my step mom did..she was walking down the street, blue sky, everything fine and dropped dead. That would be a fine way to die. I hope Terri is released from the hell soon..and i want to stuff pillows over my own head every time i hear it on the news..or from my mom. Mom is 80 now..she would have cared about this when she was 20, but you see it is getting closer for you when you are 80 and i think it scares her. i had to be careful what i did and didn't talk aout around her and my old boss.
I had to go through something a bit similar, but on a smaller scale, with my mom. She had lung cancer, then it developed into a brain tumor. When she was unable to eat on her own anymore, my brother and I, along with her physician decided that we must honor her wishes, and follow the advanced directive she had signed, which stated that she would not have any life sustaining measures, which included iv's or tube feeding. It was excruciating for me to watch her starve and be without water. There were a few times she regained consciousness and asked me for a drink of water, which I attempted to give her. She was unable to swallow properly due to the brain tumor cause her to be paralyzed on her left side. I feel for Terri's family having to watch this, but also know that we have to honor our families wishes when they have stated them.
Dena
Dena
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I have been kind of keeping up with Terri Shiavo. I could only imagine what her family is feeling...watching their daughter/sister dehydrate and starve. I think that it should be up to the family too whether or not to kill their sister/daughter. The husband is also a jerk because he just wants her to die so he can get married to his girlfriend and get money. Tell me what you think.
another thing that bothers me...her husband says that a long time ago she made the statement that she didn't want to live like that. But, how do we really know? In every case that I have heard of, there had to be an actual living will presented to the hospital. If you go to the website that I mentioned before (terrisfight.org) you can watch videos of her taken a while back. She seems to be interacting with everyone. I just don't think her husband gave her much of a chance. sad thing.
I agree with you Renee.
I don't think the husband is as awful as everyone is making him out to be although everyone involved seems to be a bit odd. I also saw a show that the videos that everyone has seen of Terre 'responding' to her parents, stimuli... are just random movements she has all the time and they weren't responding to anything. Her parents just made that video to get sympathy and to defend their case but if you recorded her all day and didn't cut the tape you'd see that the movements were completely random.
I would not want to live for 15 years like that. For many reasons. What happens to your soul when your body is useless but you aren't allowed to die? I hate the idea of all that fuss being made over my body. I want my loved ones to be free to get on with their lives. She's not going to get any better. I understand her parents not wanting to let her go. My parents, particularly my mom, would be the same way. Which is why I should write down exactly what I want.
I don't think the husband is as awful as everyone is making him out to be although everyone involved seems to be a bit odd. I also saw a show that the videos that everyone has seen of Terre 'responding' to her parents, stimuli... are just random movements she has all the time and they weren't responding to anything. Her parents just made that video to get sympathy and to defend their case but if you recorded her all day and didn't cut the tape you'd see that the movements were completely random.
I would not want to live for 15 years like that. For many reasons. What happens to your soul when your body is useless but you aren't allowed to die? I hate the idea of all that fuss being made over my body. I want my loved ones to be free to get on with their lives. She's not going to get any better. I understand her parents not wanting to let her go. My parents, particularly my mom, would be the same way. Which is why I should write down exactly what I want.
I really wish people would read some of the factual information that's out there instead of relying on the family and partisan websites for "information." There isn't real information on those sites, just hurt people lashing out and trying to present their own side of the story - understandable, but hardly reliable sources of information upon which to base a personal opinion.
Renee - it is not just on partisan websites and the family that are saying these things. The news channels (especially CNN and FOX News) have reported the same things. You have doctors that agree with her husband and you have doctors that agree with her family. What doesn't make any sense is why he (her husband) refused her any therapy. At one time, he wouldn't even let her brother and sister see her. Does that seem right? They are her family. I just don't agree with him having custody of her. As it was already said...she is not a piece of property.
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