Felos is a misogynist (hater of women), so to him, these symptoms would be beautiful.
It's too bad she can't be listed as an "Endangered Species". They wouldn't dare put some snail, or a slug through such things...
I am not going to address the Schiavo situation.
But suppose you have a living will and you direct that should you be in a persistent vegetative state you be allowed to die.
And you find yourself in such a situation, God forbid.
The law allows no choice but starvation and dehydration.
That is it.
I don't know if I could allow someone I care for to end his/her life in such a manner, no matter what the living will said. It would be a terrible ethical and human dilemma.
I have had to put down sick animals and the process is quick and seemingly painless.
I have problems with the legalization of euthanasia, but I also have problems having someone die of thirst.
No answers here, just questions.
You forgot the last symptom of dehydration.
That is termination.
Aaahhh, what gentle, dignified euphoria!
Sounds positively euphoric.
Too bad there was nobody around to save and protect this woman from her barbaric murder-in-progress. The probate judge has the final word in Florida.
As per Judge Lynch of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, "removal of a nutrition and hydration tube would likely create some or all of the following effects before death" (as listed in the text of this thread).
Brophy v. New England Sinai Hosp., 398 Mass. 417, 444 n.2, 497 N.E.2d 626, 641 n.2 (1986) (Nolan, J., dissenting)
What would account for the bleeding eyes that her parent's attorney reported?
Terri's Starvation Commences: Terri's "Exit Protocol" Begins (FR thread)
"Exit Protocol" (thrownback.blogspot.com) for one of the other times Terri had to endure starvation and dehydration.
Pain medication, such as Naproxen, is prescribed, as indicated below (red type is information added by Cheryl Ford, RN). As far as "peacefully" dying, I would call spasms and seizures anything but peaceful:
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?
* * *
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.
I am now going to bump this important thread by adding the links to a few other Terri Schiavo-related threads.
Terri Receives Sacrament of Communion - 6 p.m. Just Announced