Posted on 02/25/2005 10:28:40 AM PST by Hildy
As Terri's husband, Michael has been her guardian and her surrogate decision-maker. By 1998, though -- eight years after the trauma that produced Terri's situation -- Michael and Terri's parents disagreed over the proper course for her.
You cannot have it both ways.
Bump.
In the final analysis, the difficult question that faced the trial court was whether Theresa Marie Schindler Schiavo, not after a few weeks in a coma, but after ten years in a persistent vegetative state that has robbed her of most of her cerebrum and all but the most instinctive of neurological functions, with no hope of a medical cure but with sufficient money and strength of body to live indefinitely, would choose to continue the constant nursing care and the supporting tubes in hopes that a miracle would somehow recreate her missing brain tissue, or whether she would wish to permit a natural death process to take its course and for her family members and loved ones to be free to continue their lives. After due consideration, we conclude that the trial judge had clear and convincing evidence to answer this question as he did.
This about sums it up.
Informative synopsis of what has transpired (I've read some of it before) and some counter explanation for some of the accusations. Worth a read.
I have always said there is a big piece of this puzzle that is missing. This clears up alot of the nagging little questions I have had. I will still pray for Terri, however.
BUMP.
Thanks for your information.
Let me make it clear. I am not going to take a side in this case, but I do recognize the fact that the husband has been the decision maker from day one. He decides (that is his role) to remove the tubes, and everyone who disagrees with him, suddenly want him shed of his responsibility. I find it galling.
I should also make myself clear, the usage of "You" didn't imply you personally. :)
Keep your day job, Geek...Not only was that not funny, but indicative of the blatant hypocracy displayed on these boards about this case.
======
That wasn 't hypocracy... those are actually Mikey's true thoughts.
I know... because George Felos taught me how to read minds !!! ;-))
It is a personal family tragedy that is now being played out on the national stage. The parents could not accept the judgement of an impartial judge in the final analysis. So they enlisted the help of several organizations to try and circumvent the "Rule of Law". Some of these organizations I used to have a lot of respect for but after seeing the tactics they will use to further their political agenda, I will not have faith in their pronouncements in the future.
I agree 100%. No matter what the case may be that we are arguing, whether this one, or some election result that may be up in the air, I lose confidence in individuals or organizations who willingly feel that laws can and should be bent, tilted to favor them personally, or outright circumvented.
Thanks for posting this. I have been very reluctant to ask any questions on the Terri threads due to the flaming... this cleared up many of my lingering questions.
Thank you for this post. It sheds light on some of the questions I have had about this case.
I hear ya!
This is an excellent source of the facts. Since you pointed it out earlier, I've been reading it non-stop. Thanks again.
2/27/1990
CT Scan Report Dr. Greenberg
Normal CT Scan
7/10/1990
Progress Note Dr. Baras
Purposeful movement in right upper extremity seen by P.T., O.T. and me, but not consistent. Flexing rt. Elbow not as a reflex, but voluntarily
7/12/1990
Progress Notes Dr. Baras
Responsive, eyes open to sensory stimulation in arm.
7/13/1990
Progress Notes Dr. Baras
Eyes open to voice, tracking, moving head toward sound, no voluntary movement consistently as yet, but does move right upper extremity
7/19/1990
Progress Notes Dr. Baras
Pt. does respond to pain with moaning
7/26/1990
Progress Notes Dr. Baras
Pt awakens to her name but does not track or turn head to noise
1/29/1991
Progress Note Dr. Alcazaran
Noted increased alertness, turns head toward voice, turns head from tactile stimulation. Sucking and rooting response to olfactory stimulation. Spontaneously vocalized. Good cough. Head midline X 15 sec. Some visual tracking.
1/29/1991
Nursing Note O'Connell, LPN
Pt awake in bed, examined by Dr. Alcazaren - eyes open - some trcking noted X1 when spoken to. No commands followed.
1/29/1991
Case Management Notes T. Hughes
Open eyes to voice and tactile stimulation, appears to track periodically, especially to right.
2/1/1991
Therapeutic Recreation Notes Sherri Lage
Pt. appeared to focus on several pictures of family for about 10 seconds, appeared to slightly track to left each session, but inconsistent. Quick startle response to all auditory stimuli, occasionally moved head away from tactile stimuli. No response to olfactory.
2/6/1991
Speech-Language Notes
Commands to voice - moves tongue, (slight elevation noted), blinks eyes. Movements not developed to the point that a yes/no response could be initiated. Visual tracking to left is inconsistant. Oral motor stimulation results in increased reflexive chew / swallow
2/8/1991
Therapeutic Recreation Notes Sherri Lage
Seen 5X last week. Had eyes open each session, appeared to focus on family pictures but only slight tracking to left noted X1. Consistent startle response to auditory stimuli
2/13/1991
Progress Notes Dr. Alcazaren
Arouses easily
2/15/1991
Psychology Notes Patti Shook
Terri's eye opening responses were her strongest. Terri's tactile responses were her best, with the other four modalities only 1 to 2 points behind. This level of functioning is appropriate for a sensory stimulation program.
2/20/1991
Physical Therapy Notes
Pt has made significant gains since admission in all areas of range of motion. Have on one occasion when pt reclined, on command pt extended right knee, 4 X / 6 at random request. Appeared to follow command to turn her head while I had her on the mat the other day, but not (yet) consistant.
3/6/1991
Nursing Note DeRosa, RN
Pt lifted head off pillow straining neck, look at something to her right. Pt making humming sounds for about 5 min.
3/8/1991
Progress Notes Dr. Carnahan
Bone Scan reveals subperiosteal area of right thigh - most likely reflects H.O. Other areas not explained by disease ? Infection. Neoplastic is rare probability.
3/15/1991
Therapeutic Recreation Notes Laura Mizell
Therapeutic Recreation T.R. 5X/wk for 1/2 hr. Pt has displayed an increase in eye opening since last 30 day summary. Pts responses to auditory stimulation are at the point that they are almost auditorily defensive. During recent outings, rugby game kept eyes closed to, from and during game, beach visit more aroused.
3/26/1991
Nurses Notes
Terri's side-rail on her bed found down after Michael left. When told about it, he replied that "that was their job."
4/5/1991
Therapeutic Recreation Notes Laura Mizell
Pt seen 5X this week. Pt appears to blink eyes to sounds. Turned away from blow drier, increase in tone. Turned head when therapist used her name.
March to mid summer, 1997
Heidi Law Affidavit
No physical or other therapy. Extremely ticklish on her feet. Sat in a chair all afternoon. When in bed, preferred to lie on her right side and look out the window. Displayed likes and dislikes. Adored baths
11/11/1997
Assessment Report Marie Piarade CTR
Resident enjoys listening to other people converse, loves to hear jokes and laughs; appears to enjoy music entertainment, likes when people tell her jokes; demonstrates occasional responses, i.e., eye contact, laughter, but not consistent; mild pain
3/14/1998
Progress Notes Dr. Barnhill
Examined patient for neurolocial evaluation per request of husband through attorney George Felos
5/14/1998
Nurses Notes
Alert, non-responsive
5/22/1998
Nurses Notes
Alert
5/28/1998
Nurses Notes
Pt. remains alert
9/11/1999
Dr. Letter Jeffrey Karp, M.D.
pt is in a persistent vegetative state per Florida Statutes provided to me by Mr. Felos
This is all anyone can hope for.
Thank you for the article. I saw a doctor on Greta Van Susteran a few nights ago who was of the opinion that Terri has enough function to feel, and he would not be comfortable with her feeding tube being pulled. He outlined the death process in these cases, and said it is not painless. My father's death was hastened in the same way...and it was not peaceful. Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
"I continue to pray NOT for a desired outcome,
but for God's will to be done and it shall."
I pray for the same...God has the big picture, His will be done.
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