Another Terri Schiavo Case may happen in Florida

Orlando Sentinel ^ | June 3, 2008 | Associated Press

[jy22077]

A Florida woman put on a feeding tube after she had a stroke is at the center of a court case that is eerily similar to the lengthy legal dispute over whether Terri Schiavo should be kept alive.

[oldenuff2no]

“And wouldn't a true vegetative state negate the need for powerful pain medications???”

Maybe and maybe not. I'm not a doc and I'm not reading her medical records. My best friend is a doc and when I asked him this question I got an ear full. This issue on the use of pain meds is debated even among docs.

[taraytarah]

I would consider reacting to pain a form of communication.

These people use the term "vegetative-state" to imply the patient does not interact with stimuli.

So, which is it? Does she interact, or not?

[oldenuff2no]

We can not sit back and play the what if game or demand a certain outcome because of the way we “feel, or what we “Believe.”
We are a nation of laws and the rule of law must prevail. If you don't like the laws then work to change them but don't rake this man over the coals because you think God is telling you what to say or because your socialist moral outrage is making you stupid.
I'm about as far right as one can get and not be labeled a kook but my personal position is not based on religion. All conservatives are not drooling bible thumpers as the left would like you to believe. As long as this man stays between the lines of the applicable laws then he has a right to make his own decisions as he sees fit. The government and a bunch of do gooder strangers need to leave him alone and stay out of it. This man is faced with an impossible decision we must accept the fact that he knows as much about the total situation as anyone on this earth. He is also the one person who has any law supported legal say in this matter.

[oldenuff2no]

No one here has said anything about her reacting to pain. Meds are prescribed on a just in case basis all the time. Nice try but you assumptions are not going to lead me anywhere.

[mavfin]

We are a nation of laws and the rule of law must prevail. If you don't like the laws then work to change them but don't rake this man over the coals because you think God is telling you what to say or because your socialist moral outrage is making you stupid.

Agreed. If you want this done differently, than change the laws.

[taraytarah]

Meds are prescribed on a just in case basis all the time.

And shouldn't her life be preserved "just in case"...

I wasn't try to lead you, personally, anywhere. Didn't really know where you stood. I can now, however, clearly assume where that is.

I will not try to influence you. That would be fruitless and a waste of time.

[oldenuff2no]

Thanks Mav.
I have my own beliefs and they are all written down and everyone who needs to know has a copy. I don't need to tell the world nor is it the worlds business.
Going through the death process with someone you love is a life changing process. Letting a child go is a process of agony. Letting a spouse go is to visit a personal hell.
Lt this man alone so he and his in-laws can get this sorted out in the best way possible. There is already more than enough pain to go around in this case.

[oldenuff2no]

You are right about one thing. Having been in the position of having to make a couple of these decisions you will never convince me that you have the right to decide this for anyone except your own immediate family. Many millions of us have been there and done that. The odds are that if you haven't had to live that part of life yet then it is only a matter of time. I hope people let you alone when you turn comes.

[taraytarah]

I'm sorry you have had to go through such trauma. I imagined you had. I have also personally experienced this and have witnessed 3 comas in friends whose families never gave up. Two recovered; one made continual improvements prior to succumbing to illness.

Regardless of the "just in case" reasoning, pain medications are sometimes a means for more expedient degeneration.

No one, let me emphasize NO ONE should ever have the right to take away the life of a mother's child, NO MATTER the child's age. You can't get more "immediate" than mother/child.

Again, I am sorry for what you went through. My intention is not to cause you to feel defensive. It is rather to defend the god-given right of a mother who wants to care for her needy, once-again-dependent child.

[oldenuff2no]

Thanks for your thoughts.
I'll put this into another perspective. When something like this happens and you have heard each and every word the docs have said and they have determined that feeding tubes and or mechanical devices are all that are keeping a comatose loved one alive you have an impossible choice to make. Many times there has been a discussion with that person where you learned exactly what they would want you to do for them if they ever became that patient. At that point for me it became all important for me to carry our her one last wish. This was the final and hardest part of my commitment to her. When the docs said that we had crossed a certain line I was going to carry out her wishes no matter what anyone else said. Never get this mixed up with what I wanted to happen.
It took me years to under stand that her wishes were a gift of love to me.
Life is good for me now and I found love again. It took a while but still happened before I thought it would.
Let this guy alone and let him find his right way through this horrific nightmare.

[8mmMauser]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

8mm

[Sherman Logan]

I think the Schiavo case was perhaps the major turning point leading to the present general public disgust with social conservatives in political power.

Is the public’s perception of the issue fair and accurate? Probably not, but in elections perception creates reality.

[waxer1]

Yes, I realize that. But, I feel the families the next of kin, that is should have the final say. Not the public sector. This is a very private matter and the bottom line is that it is the family and not the public’s business. This is not the only case like this out there. I guess if a family member doesn’t like it, all they have to do is drag the public into it. I find that sickening. I guess we’ll see what the experts say on this.

[waxer1]

What are you talking about? expand please.

[EternalVigilance]

The right to life is unalienable.

Unalienable means that it cannot rightfully be taken from you. But, it means even more than that. It means you can’t even give it away, because it ultimately belongs to the Sovereign, though He has given it to you as a grant, or a gift.

[EternalVigilance]

I feel

Liberals feel. Conservatives think.

[waxer1]

Ok, The Family, next of kin....

[waxer1]

I really dont want to be dragged into the argument. I am going to assume that before this particular situation is over there is going to be a lot of arguing over this matter. I dont know these people or the circumstances. I just stated my opinion period. The last time this happened many many posters on this forum were banned for stating their opinions opposite of the ones that wanted to keep her alive. They were treated badly and in some cases banned for awhile. only because of an opposite view.

[moonman]

Yes, I have inoperable cancer of the throat & tongue area that is spreading. Radiation and chemo didn’t work. Hospice is coming today to give my wife and I information. Thanks for your prayers and well wishes.

[taraytarah]

That must have been a real nightmare for you. Again, I'm sorry for your loss and for the pain it caused.

This woman has indicated a will to live.

She has not been given the necessary time required to be rebilitated from a stroke.

It is documented that she is responsive to those she wants to be. (I've seen patients totally "lock down" when someone they don't trust approaches them. And anyone knows how pain medications can affect alertness and responsiveness, for heaven's sake.)

She has a family wiling to take care of her and give her more time.

Her husband is able to divorce her and move on.

This is their story; not yours. You made the best decision you could, based on your circumstances. Her family should be allowed to assume her care, leaving the husband to move on with his life.