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That is an interesting post, especially this line: "A report last year by Cambridge University researchers showed that patients who are apparently unconscious often have more brain function than previously suspected." Notice that in many of the cases of "awakening" the folks are being cared for at home where they are surrounded by loved ones. The caregivers in these situations are unsung heroes.

"That is an interesting post, especially this line: "A report last year by Cambridge University researchers showed that patients who are apparently unconscious often have more brain function than previously suspected."

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Yes indeed.

"A report last year by Cambridge University researchers showed that patients who are apparently unconscious often have more brain function than previously suspected. The study showed that the brains of comatose patients responded to verbal stimuli in a similar manner to those of conscious volunteers. The team admitted it was "absolutely stunned" by the findings."

I think that especially because they do understand more, being surrounded by loved ones does give them stimulus and they do feel better, than in a hospital environment, where they are being treated as "vegetables".

>> Notice that in many of the cases of "awakening" the folks are being cared for at home where they are surrounded by loved ones. The caregivers in these situations are unsung heroes.

A keen observation. The caregivers seem to be healers as well as heroes. If so, it surely must be their love and prayer that assists the healing. I have no doubt at all that love is effective therapy.

There must be a symbiosis in it as well, for the caregivers also gain from their toils. They almost universally find that the experience is ennobling. It lifts them, makes them better, enriches their lives.

There is another side of loving care that ought to be addressed by medical science (but probably won't be). Terri was far more responsive to those she recognized, loved and trusted. Dr. Hammesfahr, who took the time and trouble to make friends with her, got much better test results than the doctors who tried to test impersonally. Iow, the personal level affects the diagnosis. Impersonal physicians fail to elicit response, and therefore falsely find the patient to be more comatose or "PVS."

We recognize that brain damage reduces intelligence. Is it so hard to see that it also slows emotional response? Emotions require brain power too. If the brain isn't processing as well as before, emotions will be slowed or impaired. Medicine must allow for that impairment in its diagnosis and treatment alike.

Now... how do we teach emotionally impaired doctors to show a little love to their brain damaged patients?

Y'know, I think Dr. Cranford actually liked Terri, despite himself. He tried to interact with her and got her to respond within his one 39-minute session with her. He was paid to lie about it in court, and he did, but he was not totally evil.