View Full Version : Terri Schiavo..Whattaya think?
Eric Philson
02-22-2005, 10:49 AM
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/02/22/Tampabay/Schiavo_case__11th_ho.shtml
That's a tough one. Because I have been witness to several similar cases, the scientific side of me says let her go. The human side of me says that if she were my daughter, I would hold onto every shred of life there was. I think it's sad that this issue has become so famous in the press. This is a very personal case and this happens all the time. I just believe that if I were Terry, I would want everyone to let me go. No one knows what's really inside her brain. I just try to imagine if it were me.
madmax
02-22-2005, 01:00 PM
pull the plug.
DIYOHMY
02-22-2005, 01:30 PM
did ya see last weeks ER? Who knows what is going on in there?
jerrymlr1
02-22-2005, 01:46 PM
She's not in a coma. She is responsive to people around her. There's no way I would pull the plug if it were up to me and it were someone in my family.
Jerry
Steven Hauser
02-22-2005, 02:14 PM
:cry:
It is beyond my capability to decide.
Eric Philson
02-22-2005, 02:39 PM
Several medical experts in this field have testified that she is conscious and responsive. They also testified that, given therapy, her lot could greatly improve. When they pulled the plug on her the first time, and she was told about it, she sat up in bed. Doesn't sound like someone who wants to die if you ask me.
I'm not so sure I believe that with therapy she would greatly improve. Patients in her condition with her medical history receive intensive therapy to begin with. I also find it hard to believe that she "sat up in bed" when she was told of potential plans with her care. From what I've seen on TV when pictures of her were shown, I see no evidence that she is physically capable of having a precise physical response to emotional stress. If I were ever in her boat, I would hope my husband would have mercy on me and let go. It's kind of like being in favor of the death penalty. I don't have a problem with the death penalty, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to be the one who administered the injection or pulled the lever. These are very difficult choices, and best left to those who are involved.
Eric Philson
02-22-2005, 05:51 PM
I'm not the expert, they are. It is a tough call. I don't think I could do it, pull the plug, that is. If I weren't sure, I would err on the safe side.
I'm not an expert, but I have worked on a rehab unit, and I've worked in long term care facilities. I hold to the opinion that I don't really buy what the "experts" are saying. I bet I could find more experts who think differently. That's all I'm saying.
Eric Philson
02-22-2005, 06:20 PM
Maybe so, still it's tragic. Everyone getting drug through the mud and all. And her in the middle.
Jason_Butler
02-22-2005, 08:51 PM
IMO there is a difference between living and surviving. It would be a tough decision but I think that she is just "surviving" at this point.
The future doesn't look promising either.
Jason
Eric Philson
02-23-2005, 04:34 AM
There are lot's of "survivors" who are glad to be alive. Future's not too promising for any of us. :) How do we measure something like that for someone else?
Don't pull the plug. Read this story (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/12/earlyshow/main673662.shtml) - then see if you could pull it.
I was listening to a radio talk show this morning, and turned the radio on in the middle of a phone interview that, if I'm not mistaken, was Terry Schiavo's sister. According to her, Terry's family want to take over guardianship of her with no financial assistance from her husband. What I don't really understand is why the husband doesn't take them up on that offer. If they are willing to assume full care and responsibility for someone in this condition, I can't believe he won't agree to it. Just wondering what his motivation is. Does he really believe that Terry doesn't want to live this way, or is there something else going on? Seems kind of weird to me.
Eric Philson
02-24-2005, 07:48 PM
If he gives over custody, his claim to her life insurance benefit is null and void.
For real? Is that the reason he insists on keeping control? I'm really not surprised, but disgusted if that's what it boils down to.
Eric Philson
02-24-2005, 08:11 PM
There is another possibility. He could just care for his wife and want to fulfill her wish to be unplugged. It's interesting to note that he is currently living with a woman who has bore him two children.
Well, that tells alot (the new substitute wife and kids), but that aside, this case has some real dilemnas, imo. This is not "pulling the plug" as you would call turning of a ventilator that "breathes" for a patient. This is a question of holding liquid tube feedings, and letting her starve to death. The medical profession is getting into dicey waters when this question is addressed. This is a question that has been iffy for many years. I wonder what a medical ethics board would have to say. I'm sure this has been addressed in this setting, but I don't know what the medical/ legal ramifications are.
Eric Philson
02-24-2005, 10:56 PM
You got it. It's a deep well.
Eric Philson
02-25-2005, 12:18 AM
Oma, This should curl your hair.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43034
Davestone
02-25-2005, 04:49 AM
Yeah, it does, but he probably wants to have it off his mind all together. My wife would want to stay alive, and i would want to be gone,so i guess it's split evenly here.......except for her fear and resentment against me now. :yeah:
Well, Eric, my hair is so straight, that nothing would curl it, but thanks for trying, lol.
He could have the entire issue behind him if he would hand over custody of her. That's what I don't understand. If he has been paying for nursing home care all these years, there's certainly a limit to his funds, at which time she will probably qualify for federal or state assistance to help pay the bill. If he wants her to die now, he must have either a substantial amount of the money left, or like Eric said, life insurance money to be gained. Either way, it's pretty deplorable if that's the case. Of course, in the big picture, none of are to judge without knowing intimately the truth of what is going on. He is the one who has to ultimately deal with the reality. Thanks for the WND link. I used to read that site often, but my old computer doesn't handle the website well, and the pages download so slowly that it's more of a pita than it's worth.
dian57
03-03-2005, 04:06 AM
The type of publicity being generated from Terry's story is important. I hope everyone begins thinking about what they would want for themselves if they were to be in her situation. Then, discuss their feelings with their families and friends and draft a HEALTH CARE PROXY. A HCP is an advanced directive that names someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. This person must know your feelings about artificial nutrition and hydration, pain relief, diagnostic testing, treatments, ventilation and CPR BEFORE it becomes necessary to make decisions. Had Terry discussed her feelings before she became incapacitated, this would be a non-issue. In the abscence of a signed HCP, the next of kin makes the decisions.
This type of decision comes up in my job at least 6 times a year. However, I'm dealing with the geriatric population.
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