Terri's Starvation Commences: Terri's "Exit Protocol" Begins

Thrown Back ^ | March 18, 2005 | Fr. Rob Johansen

[sionnsar]

After a roller-coaster night and day, in which Congress first appeared to have abandoned Terri, then in which some Congressmen intervened in a last-ditch effort to prevent the feeding tube removal, and Judge Greer again demonstrated his singleminded intent to have Terri die, it comes to this.

According to reports at Blogs For Terri and from the Schindlers, Terri's feeding tube was removed at about 2:00 PM this afternoon.

Congress may intervene next week, but may not. What is certain is that from this moment on, unless someone can unsuccessfully undo the work of Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer, Terri begins dying.

Michael and Felos went on national television a few nights ago, and told viewers that Terri wasn't going to be starved to death, but that she was going to be "allowed to die". I suppose in some Orwellian alternate universe that might be true, but now, in regards to Terri, it is a monstrous, flat out lie. Michael Schiavo said that Terri would peacefully slip away. That too is false. Terri will die a horrible, prolonged death. The document I reproduce below demonstrates that.

The document I reproduce below was prepared by the hospice at which she resides, by their own doctors and nurses. It was produced in anticipation of the first time Terri's feeding tube was removed, in 2001. Anyone reading it with a rudmimentary knowledge of medicine will recognize that in Terri's case, and the cases of many others in similar situations, the so-called "treatment" that is given is in fact not treatment at all. It is a regimen of medication intended to perpetrate an illusion: the illusion that someone is peacefully "slipping away", when in fact they are dying in a painful and brutal way.

The document was given a name by those who wrote it. They called it Terri's "Exit Protocol".

I first published this document last September, when it first came to light. I republish it here so that all can see the truth of what is being done to her.

As I mention below, the document is not yet available on line. However, I will remedy that soon. I will try to have it available online in it's original form within the next few hours. As soon as it is, I will let you know where to get it.




Terri's "Exit Protocol" Discovered In Hospice Documents

Cheryl Ford, RN, a nurse from Tampa who has been very active in the efforts to save Terri's life, recently undertook, on behalf of the Schindlers, a review of medical records from when Terri was first admitted to Woodside Hospice. Woodside Hospice is run by Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. It is of interest to note that Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, was a member of the Board of Directors of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast until the Terri Schiavo case began to attract widespread public attention a few years ago.

In her research, Ms. Ford found a document titled "Exit Protocol" in Terri's file. The document is on Hospice of the Florida Suncoast

"Patient Care Notes" stationery, and is dated April 19, 2001. This document lays out, in clinical detail, the procedures to be followed in bringing about Terri's death by starvation and dehydration.

I reproduce here, in entirety and verbatim, the contents of this document. It was sent to me in the form of an Adobe PDF document. It is not yet available on the web, but as soon as it becomes available I will post a link to it.

The text of the document is in black type, my comments and explanations will be presented in red type

Exit Protocolxxxxxxxxxxxx00038

Patient Care Notesxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Hospice
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxOf The Florida Suncoast

Date

4/19/01xxxxxxxxxxxxxClinical Pharmacy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxRe: Medication review and symptom management


Pt. is a 37 yo woman in a vegetative state with no apparent signs of distress. Enteral tube-feeding to be discontinued on 4/20/01.

Current Medications:

1. antacid suspension 1-2 tablespoons prn [prn = "as needed"]

2. Naproxen suspension 375 mg Q8* prn menstrual cramps. [Q8* prn = "every 8 hours as needed". Naproxen is a pain-relieving and anti-inflamatory drug. ]

3. Vitamin liquid daily.

Upon discontinuation of enteral feeding the following signs/symptoms may or may not occur. The following is a brief list of symptoms for which to monitor and recommended interventions.

1. d/c ["discontinue"] antacid. d/c Naproxen suspension.

2. d/c Vitamin liquid

3. Monitor symptoms of pain/discomfort. If noted, medicate with Naproxen rectal suppository 375 mg Q8* prn.

Wait a minute! George Felos, Michael Schiavo, and all the other advocates of feeding-tube removal have been saying repeatedly that dying by denial of nutrition & hydration is "peaceful" and "painless". They've both said so in interviews and press conferences, such as on Larry King Live. So if dying by denial of nutrition and hydration is, as Michael said, "painless and probably the most natural way to die", then why is medication needed for pain and discomfort?

4. Signs of compromised skin integrity — continue vigilant skin care, provide moistener to lips, consult wound-care specialist if needed.

As the body dehydrates, the skin loses its tone and dries out. Left untreated, this will lead to cracking and bleeding. The lips are even more sensitive in this respect. "Vigilant skin care" is the liberal use of lotions and moisteners to mask these symptoms. The lips must be continually swabbed with special moisteners, and have lip balm applied to them. In the last stages, though, in spite of such measures, skin breakdown often occurs. Because of the body's debilitated state, normal healing mechanisms do not function. Hence the need to consult wound-care specialists to deal with ulcers and open sores.

5. Signs of dehydration
(A) dry lips, mouth. Swab saliva substitute inside mouth prn. (see next page)

After a few days without water, the body stops producing saliva, necessitating the use of a "saliva substitute" to avoid ulceration in the mouth, and a characteristic foul odor on the patient's breath. The cessation of salivation also leads to other complications which appear in the "pulmonary" section.



xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx00039

Patient Care Notesxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Hospice
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxOf The Florida Suncoast

Date

4/19/01xxxxxxxxxClinical Pharmacy Note — continued

xxxxxxxxxxxxxSigns of dehydration — continued

(B) decreased urinary output - no change in care plan.

While there may be "no change in care plan", one of the effects of dehydration is incontinence. The patient's diapers or "chux" pads will need to be changed more frequently, until such output ceases entirely.

6. Pulmonary
(A) Inability to clear secretions - reposition and swab mouth, consider scopolamine patch behind ear every 3 days.

Dehydration causes the natural mucus secretions of the mouth, nose, and throat to thicken, as the body struggles to protect these delicate membranes. The lack of saliva exacerbates this problem, preventing the normal swallowing of these secretions. These thick deposits can interfere with breathing. The use of the scopolamine patch promotes drying of these secretions, which prevents their build-up, but hastens the breakdown of the tissues.

(B) dyspnea ["difficulty in breathing"] — nebulize low dose 2-5 mg morphine sulfate Q4* prn.

In the last stages of dehydration/starvation, the patient's breathing will become difficult and labored. He or she may even begin gasping for breath, as even the lungs' ability to effect transfer of gases is compromised. Morphine nebulized into a fine spray relaxes bronchial passages and relieves these symptoms. However, because of the resultant decrease in respiratory efficiency, this may hasten death.

7. Multifocal myoclonus or terminal agitation (sometimes caused by electrolyte imbalance). Consider diazepam rectal administration 5-10 mg. May repeat in 4 hours if not resolved then daily - twice daily as needed.

Myoclonus is twitching or spasm of the muscles. Multifocal means "occurring in many different parts of the body". This is usually the result of imbalance in electrolytes, the chemicals, such as salt, potassium, and calcium, which make your bodies internal electrical "batteries" work. Nerve impulses and muscle contractions are governed by electro-chemical reactions utilizing these chemicals. Dehydration causes these chemicals to be out of balance, interfering with normal nerve and muscle function. This can result in nerves and muscles "firing off" uncontrollably, causing spasm. The patient will writhe and become extremely agitated. If you have ever had muscle cramps resulting from strenuous exercise (especially when you have sweat profusely), you have some idea what this feels like. Imagine having this happen all over your body, repeatedly. Diazepam (more commonly known as Valium) is a muscle relaxant

8. Grand Mal seizure, which is highly unlikely given current conditions and lack of contributing factors (meds). Recommend diazepam 15 mg rectally as indicated in seizure management orders.

In the final stages of starvation and dehydration, the same electrolyte imbalances which can cause muscle spasm can also lead to uncontrolled firing of neurons in the brain, according to a similar mechanism. This results in seizures.

Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate regarding this patient's care.

I would observe, in conclusion, that most of the "treatments" described in this Exit Protocol are in fact not directed at easing the patient's true condition, but in masking the symptoms of dying by starvation and dehydration. These treatments are designed to create the appearance of a peaceful "slipping away", when nothing of the sort is happening. The medications hide the fact that the patient undergoes a lengthy and painful deterioration, in which his/her body wastes away cruelly. Remember this the next time you hear or read someone say that Terri should be "allowed" to die.

[Sola Veritas]

Correct. The sacrificing of innocent children is a very good example:

Leviticus Chapter 18:

verse 21 "And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD."

verses 24-29 "Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. You shall therefore keep My statues and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you. For all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled. Lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from amoung their people."

From New Kings James Version

God was telling the "Children of Israel" that the land He was giving them was not to be defiled by the acts those preceeding them had done. One example in verse 21 was child sacrifices. It is clear by the redundancy of the text that He was sterning warning them that they too would be "vomited out" for defiling the land. It is my belief this same principle holds true for the U.S. also. Abide these "abominations" and risk having the land "vomit you out." BTW - other "abominations" listed in the chapter include adultery, beastiality, homosexuality, incest, et. al.

[bjs1779]

Hitler killed six million. America has slaughtered 20 - 30 million in the womb.

Hitler muredered by pure force. American women have done it willingly.

[Sola Veritas]

"The clincher on this is that my mother even though she had power of attorney could not override the treatment hospice was delivering because my stepfather had a living will and had signed himself into hospice."

We have had scandals about nursing home abuse here in Oklahoma, and steps have been attempted to remedy it. Sounds like Florida has made legal what would be considered abuse elsewhere. Let me speculate....the hospice wanted him to die quickly so it would save them expense?

[Bittersweetmd]

"Michael and Felos went on national television a few nights ago, and told viewers that Terri wasn't going to be starved to death, but that she was going to be "allowed to die". I suppose in some Orwellian alternate universe that might be true, but now, in regards to Terri, it is a monstrous, flat out lie."

The alternate universe is death, lies and selfishness. Period. If someones says a lie long enough people will start to believe it. There are a lot of dumb people. And a lot of people with little or no ability to look into the truth of a matter or be able to discern the truth with any degree of intelligence.

[PhilDragoo]

terrisfight.org

[billybudd]

Here's a question: We don't know exactly what the state of her mind is, but, if you were Terri Schiavo, would you want to live in a half-live, half-dead state where you can observe your hospital room, but not interact in anyway whatsoever with the world? That seems like a hellish nightmare to me.

[garbanzo]

Michael and Felos went on national television a few nights ago, and told viewers that Terri wasn't going to be starved to death, but that she was going to be "allowed to die".

I haven't followed this story closely, but why not simply give her the same lethal cocktail they give to condemned murderers? If we simply withheld food and water from a death row inmate, it'd never stand.

[devolve]

           LEVIN
           BOXER
           WYDEN

[rdcorso]

Felos and the other lowlife scum at the ACLU are doing everything they can to see to it that Terri is starved to death.These demented pigs will then do the exact opposite and fight to spare the life of the vile piece of shit that murdered little Jessica Lundgren.They are the most backward bunch of freaks who always end up protecting the scum of the earth.Maybe they do it because this is the type of sick pervert who belongs to their diseased organization.

[Irishgirl]

My father passed away last year at age 91. He had been diagnosed with dementia in his early 80s. He quickly lost his ability to communicate coherently. My mother never gave up hope and single-handledly care for him up until 6 months before he died. While in the earlier stages we assumed that he was increasingly unaware of his surroundings, we later learned through a new type of MRI that he actually was still completely comprehensive of everything around him and that only the part of his brain that controlled speaking was affected. If you had met him you would think he was totally out of it but he was still all thereexcept for for his ability to communicate. He would still react and laugh and wink his eye and even sing (perfectly and on key) throughout his affliction. As he became more elderly he caught colds more easily and we would have to take him to the hospital for treatment. Each time we checked him in I was immediately asked by the nurses if we wanted them to do anything to treat him. I was stunned! He only had a cold! It was like it was common for people to bring in the elderly and decide through power of medical authority to withhold treatment as simple as antibiotics from them. Blew my mind. Everytime this happened I would say OF COURSE WE WANTED HIM TREATED HE ONLY HAS A COLD!. He was on and off a feeding tube through the last year of his life because of the doctors' fear of him choking on food. Each time my mother would insist on therapy and tests that would prove he could swallow properly and he would be able to again enjoy my mother's home-cooked meals. I think because of his advanced age and the bad luck of having to be in the hospital several times where staph runs rampant, he finally succumbed to the worst staph found in hospitals. My mother and I decided early on that it was up to him and to God to decide when his life would end and that we would always do everything we could to keep him alive. I was with him the night he died and he was totally aware and reacting to me the entire night. Terri's situation is so beyond appalling. People are so ignorant and it is so frustrating and horrific that they can get away with this.

[HungarianGypsy]

come to think of it, didn't this happen easter week last time?

[Al Simmons]

"Hitler killed six million. America has slaughtered 20 - 30 million in the womb."

Well, not to quibble, but in fact Hitler caused the death of about 60 million in a 6-year period.

We've killed 30 million babies in 32 years. Eventually we'll catch up I suppose, if the Lord does not work a miracle.

Evil is evil, but Hitler was WAY ahead of our power curve (so to speak).

[supercat]

Here's a question: We don't know exactly what the state of her mind is, but, if you were Terri Schiavo, would you want to live in a half-live, half-dead state where you can observe your hospital room, but not interact in anyway whatsoever with the world? That seems like a hellish nightmare to me.

Suppose the alternative were to be doted over by a couple of loving parents and a warm soft kitty cat (or dog, if you don't like cats), while they helped you receive some therapy to regain some of the skills you'd lost?

To the extent that Terri is miserable, it's because Michael is trying to make her be. There would be no need to "put Terri out of her misery" if we could simply put Michael out of Terri's misery.

[oprahstheantichrist]

"...he caught colds more easily and we would have to take him to the hospital for treatment....I was immediately asked by the nurses if we wanted them to do anything to treat him."

"Um, I'm sorry, I must have misread what it says on the outside of this building! I could have sworn the letters spelled the word 'HOSPITAL' over the door! WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'DO I WANT TO TREAT HIM? ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU DO HERE???" (Heeere's your sign....).

[AUsome Joy]

"We don't know exactly what the state of her mind is"

Do you think she should to be taken off food and water for weeks to die even if you are right and no one knows exactly what the state of her mind is? What if she is aware of being starved to death, and what if she is aware that she is thirsty and desperately wants water? Would you want to be in her situation?

[Euro-American Scum]

Terri's Starvation Commences: Terri's "Exit Protocol" Begins

The people responsible for this will burn in hell in the final analysis.

[Information Friendly]

Due to his court decision, could judge greer be charged with conspiracy to commit murder?

Maybe if he were to be handcuffed and thrown into a jail cell, and denied any food and water, ............ maybe then he might begin to realize that starving to death would be painful.

Has this eminent (and I use this term loosely, ......... very loosely) judge ever been required to submit to any substance abuse investigation?

[scottywr]

George Greer is a monster as well as a murderer. We won't forget.

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again, The judge and that ba$tard husband should be made to sit by her bed the entire time she agonizes through this. This is simply one of the most barbarous things I've ever seen.

[expatguy]

How many of you would stand by and watch someone starve a dog or cat to death and do nothing?

[lainde]

The red comments are absolutely correct. Imagine that they have to mask this "peaceful, painless" process with Valium and Morphine...This is barbaric and the medical hypocrisy is breathtaking! Words fail me.