PM's surgery delayed due to respiratory infection(Ariel Sharon in a "coma")

Haaretz ^ | 4/4/06 | Tamara Traubman,Ran Reznick,Haaretz Correspondents,Service,Agencies

[Nextrush]

The surgical procedure Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was to undergo Tuesday was postponed due to a mild respiratory infection.

Sharon was to undergo surgery at Hadassah Hospital in Jersualem to replace a section of his skull which was removed in an initial emergency operation to allow access to damaged portions of his brain.

The operation is intended to prepare the comotose Sharon for a move to a chronic care facility...

The decision to transfer Sharon to another facility was based on the lack of improvement in his condition....

Sharon will be transferred to a hospital where he can receive care and assistance.

Neurologists have said it is highly unlikely that Sharon will awaken from the coma.

Hadassah said it has not yet been decided when of if to transfer the prime minister.....

[Nextrush]

I feel for Ariel Sharon and his family, but I have questions about this matter. It seems he is not going to recover and is in a "coma." Does this mean he is living a life that "I wouldn't want to live?" Is he a candidate to have his feeding tube removed? And considering his condition, why isn't it being considered or done? Is there a reason it won't be done?

[mpackard]

I can tell you from very recent experience, removing the feeding tube of a loved one is an excruciating decision and it is far too early to make such a decision. Last Feb my precious, young and beautiful mom suffered a brain anuerysm. It was 4 months of HELL. My family was in constant prayer for guidance as the MAIN decision had to be within Gods will. She would be responsive somedays and unavailable for weeks. The week that she finally died (peacefully, in her sleep)She had begun waking from her coma. She was 63 years old. My heart breaks for the decisions that lay ahead for his family and I thank God that he took those decisions out of our hands.

[CobaltBlue]

Weeks ago doctors were saying that if he weren't Ariel Sharon they would have let him die already.

[linda_22003]

Well, I think at this point, he probably ISN'T Ariel Sharon, any more. :-\

[CobaltBlue]

True, except in the legal sense, and that's hard to let go. He's too important.

Sort of ironic, they did the same thing with Arafat. Kept him going a long time because of the political and legal consequences of his death.