[Jocie]

what is her website address?

[cassioo]

I heard on the news tonight there is some person in Calif who has offered the husband several million to withdraw his suit to remove the tube and he's turned them down..they said it was not the first offer he's had. I thought it was a little weird for that stranger to offer that. I think they were some right to life person

[MrsTina]

I heard that as well....I am going to check on that

[MartinRN]

I am rather upset with the decision to pull the tube. I can see if she was near death, but not like this. First, we do not know how much mental capacity she has. Even if she cannot express herself, she may retain some ability of thought. Second, starvation is a horrible way to go. The body just disintegrates as it starts to digest itself. If her life is to be terminated, isn't there a more humane way. Third, the ethical question: When is it murder and when is it not? Will this decision eventually include those with dementia who are unable to care or feed themselves who are also on feeding tubes?

[smbrn]

To MedicRN: It has not been established that Ms Schiavo had "no wish to live like that". The fact that her husband, at this late date, makes this claim is suspect at best.

[MedicRN]

[ QUOTE ]
smbrn said:
To MedicRN: It has not been established that Ms Schiavo had "no wish to live like that". The fact that her husband, at this late date, makes this claim is suspect at best.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are correct.... WE never heard HER make that statement. And on the same token, what proof do we have that she didn't?

[rnsince83]

The loving husband did not make that statement until 7 years after the injury. He fully expected her to die much earlier, but she really messed things up for him. Read the sworn aug '03 statement of one of the nurses who cared for Terro '91 through '93 (Carla Sauer Iyer--you can read her statement on www.freerepublic.com or www.worldnetdaily.com.

[smbrn]

To MedicRN:Are you saying that Ms Schiavo's parents should be expected to prove a negative? That the husband's statement, late into the game, should simply be taken at face value? Anyone could make such a claim in a case like this and then demand that his/her adversaries prove him wrong. That makes no sense, nor does the law require it so far as I know. rnsince83 is right. People should read the sworn statements of the registered nurse who took care of Ms Schiavo. No matter what, this poor woman's mere existence posed no threat to anyone. The husband can't have things both ways in terms of public image. He is on the one hand the "loving husband" who only wants to do what his wife would have wanted, so he says. On the other hand he is an adulterer with a new common law wife and two children. He is, of course, free to do what he wants with his life, but he did not have to demand his legal wife die. He could have at any time legally divorced her if he wanted to be rid of her and move on. I believe money had something to do with his reluctance to do that. I cannot get over the number of nurses who seem to believe that since they themselves would not want to live in a certain physical/mental condition, that it is then acceptable to withdraw such basic care as food and water. Since when are nurses so judgmental about what kind of care patients deserve? Would such attitudes be tolerated about persons with AIDS?

[MedicRN]

[ QUOTE ]
smbrn said:I cannot get over the number of nurses who seem to believe that since they themselves would not want to live in a certain physical/mental condition, that it is then acceptable to withdraw such basic care as food and water.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is a no-win argument. Everyone on this forum will argue till they are blue in the face in support of their beliefs - be they nurses or janitors.
MY *PERSONAL* wish is to never be like this. Although we have Living Wills, I would hope my husband would not allow be to linger in this fashion (believing there was hope of recovery). To me, this is NOT quality life (yes, he is well aware of my wishes).

[ QUOTE ]
Since when are nurses so judgmental about what kind of care patients deserve? Would such attitudes be tolerated about persons with AIDS?

[/ QUOTE ]
I have never judged the kind of care received/not received/withdrawn by patients. I am there to support the decisions made by the patient or medical DPOA (if applicable). Only they know what they want. This includes patients of all diagnosis - from head colds to cocaine-relate MIs/CVAs to AIDS

[MrsTina]

It is such a sad situation...I have so many mixed emotions about this case...I honestly do not think we are hearing the whole story... the parents should stand behind the decision of the husband regardless..If he says that she had no wish to live that way.. then end of discussion move on....The pictures we are seeing of her on TV are from 7 years ago... what I don't understand is if this was not what she would have wanted then why was a feeding tube put in in the first place...The husband is going to have to live with this decision..And I read somewhere that feeding tubes are removed all the time..I have even been in the room with a fellow nurse when she had to remove one on a hospice patient..per request of the doc, hospice, and family...believe it or not the patient lived another 3 weeks..the husband has obviously moved on with his life... if he didn't want to be responsible for her anymore then why not say to the parents "ok you guys take care of her" I hope I am not sounding cold and heartless because truly I am not.