Published: Jun 16, 2005 ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - A brain-dead woman is being kept on life support in hopes that her 21-week-old fetus survives, and the woman's husband said he is certain that's what she would have wanted.
Posted on 06/16/2005 8:15:30 AM PDT by TheOtherOne
Brain-Dead Woman Kept Alive in Hopes Her 21-Week Fetus Survives
Published: Jun 16, 2005 ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - A brain-dead woman is being kept on life support in hopes that her 21-week-old fetus survives, and the woman's husband said he is certain that's what she would have wanted.
Jason Torres said doctors believe the fetus could have a chance if Susan Torres lives another month and her cancer stays away from her uterus.
He said he decided to keep his wife on life support when doctors at Virginia Hospital Center offered him the chance to disconnect the machines after concluding she would not recover.
"I hate seeing her on those darned machines, and I hate using her as a husk, a carrying case, because she herself is worth so much more," Torres said in an interview in Thursday's USA Today. "But Susan really wanted this baby. And she's a very - how should I put this? - a willful lady. That's probably why she's made it this far."
Hospital officials are not discussing the case, the newspaper reported.
Susan Torres, a 26-year-old researcher at the National Institutes of Health, lost consciousness from a stroke May 7 after aggressive melanoma spread to her brain. Jason Torres said doctors told him his wife's brain functions have stopped.
Torres said the fetus appears to be thriving, but his wife's doctors have told him they know of no cases in which a brain-dead mother with melanoma has delivered a baby.
If his wife and her fetus live until mid-July, or about 25 weeks' gestation, the fetus could survive delivery, though with a heightened risk of brain damage and other problems, Torres said. A full-term pregnancy is about 40 weeks.
"There's not a glimmer of doubt in my mind that this is what she would have wanted," Torres said. "Any chance at all to save the baby, and Susan would have said, 'Let's go for it.' "
Torres quit his job as a printing salesman and has moved into his wife's hospital room. The couple's 2-year-old son, Peter, is staying with grandparents.
AP-ES-06-16-05 1037EDT
I appreciate your apology.
It's takes a big woman to apolo-...
Wait a sec, how come it doesn't sound as good saying a "big woman" than a "big man" -- actually it sounds kind of insulting!
Ah, well, thanks anyway. ;-)
ROFLMAO!!! Can you imagine! I was an overweight teenager. I would have been MORITIFIED to read that in print. Of course, my father never thought of me as fat, he thought as beautiful. He actually thought that was the best compliment he could give me! The dedication ended up reading: To Hildy, my very own pinch-hitter and coach!
LOL! Dads are funny. :-)
Yes, they are. I would give anything to spend one more minute with him and tell him I love him.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I lost mine two years ago and miss him like crazy.
BTTT for more prayers...
Sad. They say a picture is a 1000 words. Not much to say though, only feelings of sorrow.
Prayer bump.
Thank you.
Many of us feel the same way about our dads who have gone on to the next life. For those of you who still have the opportunity, please tell your dad how much you love him this weekend. Don't wait!
Saturday prayers for baby AND mommy bump!!!
Bumping your prayer bump BG...
I had an aunt who died from melanoma during child birth. I hate to say this, but the baby was born with cancer. He lived to be eighteen months old, but never walked. It was a very sad story. The baby spent most of his short life travelling back and forth between Philadelphia and Sloane-Kettering Cancer institute on the train.
Nothing is too difficult for Him!
You've got THAT right!!!!
Yes, that's right! I remember.
Although my hypothesis is the opposite. The husband wants to keep the baby (saying the woman would want that), even though carrying the child could kill her.
mark
FYI UPDATE: BABY KICKED!
JUN 21, 2005 Susan continues in stable condition though her cancer is advancing. We'll have more updates after a more thorough sonogram this week.
But some good news for everyone: On Monday, Jason and Susan's parents felt the baby kick for the first time! A nice day. And a good reminder, amidst everything, of what this is all about.
You can find updates at http://www.susantorresfund.org
wow!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.