February 24, 2005
Terri Schivao's Last Days/Hours - Should That Come To Pass
Terri Schivao has a reprieve, at least until the 25th of February at 5 PM. At that time, the final decision will have to be made on whether her spouse (I just can no longer bring myself to call him a husband) can order her not to be fed or given water. This poor excuse for a human being has been trying for eight years for permission to legally kill his wife. I am ashamed that he is part of the human race. Make no mistake, this is NOT about a right to die, this is NOT about a conscious and aware "million dollar baby" making a choice. This is about euthansia, killing off the unwanted, unloved, handicapped people because someone wants his hands on some money. Were it not so, he could just walk away, but no, he want's to walk away AND figuratively pull the plug on the very woman he promised to love, cherish and honor, who he told the courts that he would spend all of the award money on taking care of his wife and providing for what ever rehabilitation she needed.
Let's be frank. Terri Schivao is not in a coma, she is not brain dead, she did not leave a living will. Terri communicates, poorly perhaps, but communicates with her environment, not by word, but by gesture. She is aware of friends and family coming to visit her, she knows and recognizes people. She is profoundly disabled.
I teach Rehabilitation at our University. In blogging on this subject I'm reminded of one of our professors who is in a wheel chair for life because of a neck injury. Should we starve him? We had two students, recently graduated that have next to no muscle tone and have to be held into their motorized wheelchairs by straps. They have both finished advanced degrees. Dehydrate them to death? I've seen people with traumatic brain injury who can barely function, yet they are as fully human as anyone I know. This semester, I'm teaching a course in Disability in the Family. This weeks topic is the impact of disability on adults and the family. As I lectured, Terri's photo of her smiling at her mom wouldn't leave my mind. Quality of life? Impaired of course. Right to life - the exact same right that you and I have.
I want to take you on a little journey, let's talk about what this whole damn process is really about. It is about taking a disabled person who is conscious and aware of her surroundings, but severely disabled and watching her die, bit by bit, day by day, with her being aware that she is hungry and thirsty and that she cannot do anything about it. The Nazi's in WWII ran experiments like this, how much can you "take away" before these "Untermenchen" die.
Has Terri become a modern day Untermenchen? Is that where we as a people want to go? But I digress; the process of dehydration is as follows: (WARNING, GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS FOLLOW) Initially, Terri will be thirsty, just as you or I might be after a few hours of mowing the lawn or cleaning out the garage on a mild summer day. As that first day progresses, mild dehydration will set in. Symptoms will be mostly experienced by Terri, she will of course be fairly thirsty by now. her lips will be dry, as will her mouth and saliva will be hard to come by as the body struggles to keep water in. As she dehydrates further, she will cease sweating (we perspire ALL of the time, just not when we are hot, in addition, we lose moisture through the process of breathing)and her skin will begin to flush as her body temperature begins to rise. Terri will become tired and irritabile, though she may not be capable of showing that at this stage. She will develop a headache. Her urine bag (assuming she is cathaterized) will begin to show darker and darker urine because though she is not taking water in, her kidneys will continue to struggle to remove toxic impurities from the blood. With less water to work with, the urine becomes more concentrated and the output decreases, a viscious cycle. As she dehydrates further, you will see all the earlier signs of mild dehydration. In addition, her skin won't bounce back quickly when pressed, she will experience very dry mouth and will whimper, and plead to the best of her ability, her eyes will appear sunken. The output of urine will be limited and color of urine will be a very dark yellow. Her muscles will begin to very painfully cramp and her joints will become very stiff and painful. Her irritability, and fatigue will be significantly worse as the earlier headache becomes much more severe.
Finally, severe dehydration will commence as she nears death. Because the body knows that it is loosing moisture, it will attempt to conserve. But, the rest will continue. Her lips will turn blue as her blood becomes thicker and as less oxygen is carried to her system. her skin will be come blotchy she will become confused and become very lethargic. Her hands and feet will be unbearably cold.
Her breathing will be rapid, her pulse weak as her blood pressure drops. She may experience intermittent fainting and will begin running a high fever. She will be extremely miserable, but will be unable to pee or cry. Her body will attempt to conserve every bit of fluid, but her fever will go higher, resulting, perhaps, in convulsions and certainly in death.
Not a pretty sight.
Get up off of your butts folks, do something for a fellow human being. We can't solve all of the worlds problems, or save everyone on this planet, but surely, we can prevent a death to a human being. Were the husband to treat a couple of dogs like this, the law would be on him like bees on honey. But, apparantly not in this "enlightened" day and age. Apparantly not.
Update: More posts here, here and here
UPDATE2: Captain Ed at Captains Quarters has an excellent post. He notes rightly that we cannot and do not know what happened between Terri, her spouse and her parents, we weren't party to the discussions of life/death if any, that were held. But, there is an over-riding principle involved and that is, as Capt. Ed states
"The issue is a society that treats its infirm and inconvenient as unnecessary burdens, weights that can simply be tossed in the trash as easily as fast-food wrappers"Posted by GM Roper at February 24, 2005 03:01 AM | TrackBack
GM,
This is truly great. No, it isn't pretty. You have, however, the real courage to inform us just exactly the consequences of the choices we make. I find it ironic that judges can, and do, make medical judgements without truly investigating what the results of their decisions will mean.
If there is a Moral Ethics Award, you ought to get it.
TC
P.S. It just struck me that many just want to sweep "the inconvenient" out of their lives and demand and shreik that it is their right for society to allow them to do so. Often, they even have to gall to ask the rest of us to not only avert our eyes as we are dragooned into participating in their crime, but they also demand we pay for it.
Posted by Tad at February 24, 2005 07:48 AM
Pretty sickening. Why don't they just stick a tube into the base of her skull and suction out her brains--like the left thinks is so humane for babies half way home. It's too bad that our country defines life not by brain waves or hearbeats but by the "quality" of life which is defined by others and moves as is convenient. If YOUR life doesn't meet MY standards of quality (and, if you're a burden), then out you go! This is depressing.
Posted by Woody at February 24, 2005 11:52 AM
This is called legalized murder. Why is this man holding Terri hostage and not willing to let her parents have guardianship over their own daughter as they so desire? It seems like this man is either being spiteful or revengeful as he sure isn't showing any real concern or compassion for anyone but himself. And since he already has another honey and a couple of kids by this new honey it is clear that Terri is not wanted. And for the judge to let this monster get by with sentencing her to death through the court in a legal way is a misuse of justice. Both he and the spouse should be thrown in prison. This is immoral and unconciousable. If Terri were brain dead and on life support for breathing purposes that would be one thing but she isn't and to take away her food supply is just plain murder anyway one wants to cut it. He should be declared an unfit guardian and Terri should be turned over to her parents. Even animals get better treatment than Terri is being given. And it seem that no amount of money one tries to throw at this case it isn't enough to make a difference. This is dispicable. Makes me feel ashamed of being an American. We can and should do much better than this. Come on folks, lets shout this injustice from the rooftops until this monster is put behind bars or defeated in his attempt at killing Terri.
L.S.
Posted by Lynn Self at March 16, 2005 06:07 PM
the bible says thou shall not kill what are
we allowing to happen to Terri schivaco in
florida right now?
Posted by tomhillard at March 19, 2005 10:42 PM
This is really hard to digest, we as human would put a love one through something as horrible as this "person" is putting Terry through, people are fined, put in jail for this kind of treatment to animals. Americans where are we headed? were is our compassion one for another. The Bible says love another, is this the love this "person" had for Terri on their wedding day?to his new honey "watch your back"
Posted by ophelia at March 20, 2005 03:55 PM
I do not feel that Terri has any kind of life.
I donot know this woman but I do know she is a humanbeing and if she could communicate to us how she wanted to live, would she want this kind of life? I know I would not and I dought she would either. I would not want to be a burden to my family and I would not want to look at their eyes and see the hurt in them. I know she did not leave a will but the family knows how she feels. Keep the goverment out of our family's business. The courts made the decision and I think the family should be allowed to follow through. However, I do think the doctors should be allowed to help keep her confortable and pain free.
++++++++
Ellen, thank you for sharing your POV. I disagree, but sometimes the government has to step in to protect human rights. Courts have and do make mistakes and I believe this is one of them.
I do hope you will return.
GMR
Posted by Ellen at March 21, 2005 04:22 PM
Why do you think after 15 years she can a better life after this al these years let her go with GOD and be in peace.
+++++++++++
Since rehabilitation has not been attempted, I don't know what can be better. I don't believe that we as a people should "starve" to death an individual regardless of what their disability. If we start down that slippery slope, what's the end likely to be... if not for you and I, what about our children? Grand children?
GMR
Posted by popomom at March 22, 2005 07:17 AM
To paraphase Edmund Burke..."Evil triumphs when 'good people' do nothing". Obviously, the courts and government are too complicated to be able to do the "right thing". To counteract this evil that is permeating Florida and the United States...
I'm calling on all good people to travel to Florida NOW to stand between the authorities and Terri....so that the feeding tube may be reinserted.
Thereby stopping the advance of EVIL in this country and SAVING Terri's LIFE.
++++++++++++++++
Thanks for your input Joseph, I hope you will be back often.
GMR
Posted by Joseph [Detroit Mich] at March 22, 2005 04:06 PM
Have doubts whether Terri should LIVE or die….go to this site…and see for yourself.
http://www.blogsforterri.com/video.php
Select this link and then the link titled “Decide†for a short video….see if she looks and sounds brain dead to you…seeing and hearing is believing.
Many people are confined to a bed, etc. but that doesn’t mean they are useless…and with the proper therapy Terri could have a good life…after she gets away from her husband.
Posted by Joseph [Detroit Mich] at March 22, 2005 07:41 PM
My thoughts and prayers go to this family. I watched my father die of cancer and it was horrible. What we are doing to Terri is horrible. And those letting it happen should think one thing. What if I were in that situation. It is easy for those to say what they would do when they aren't her. She is still a living, breathing human being. What right does her husband have to take her life. That is for God to choose, not him. If he were devoted to her then he would get her the rehabilition that she deserves and not kill her. And be there for her. I thought people who kill others went to jail, what makes him so different. If these were her intension, then she would have made them clear. If I were with this man the one question that would go through my mind would be, what would happen to me if I were in the same situation. Something to think of. Just because she has a feeding tube, doesn't mean she is dead. Is she breathing on her own? Or is a machine doing that for her? That is something that Mr. Schivo needs to think about. Get a divorce from this woman and let her family take care of her, since he doesn't want to. Don't take her life from her and those who love her.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Shelley, thank you for writing and thank you for your compassion.
I too watched as my father decided that treatment for cancer was not what he wanted. He made a conscious decision to join mom in heaven and though my brothers and I were sad to see him die, we knew that it was HIS decision and not ours. That is not the case with Terri Schiavo.
Again, thanks, and I hope you will be back often.
GMR
Posted by shelley at March 25, 2005 08:52 AM
This is wrong Terri is a human being and she is not unconcious or in a vegetative state she responds to her mother and to the doctors who have been taking care of her and the way her husband is acting is wrong, he has a new family and he figures that terri is in the way when she is really not all he has to do is give her to her parents who said they would care for her and give her the therapy she needs, but for some reason he will not I look at it this way does he have something to hide or is the fact that he has gotten all that money and the whole thing about her being creamated, that`s what makes me think that he has something to hide because if she going to pass away they need to give her a decent and respectible funeral. If you would go to attempt this on a dog then it is wrong and yet there are people in this country who think that what they are doing to this woman is a peaceful way to die. The people who say that sit back and ask yourselves would you want to be straved to death and if you say yes then there is something wrong with you. We should not let this woman die so her scum of a husband can go on with his life as if he never knew her.
Posted by Amber at March 26, 2005 08:59 AM
The way I look at it with Terri if they have a right to kill her then that doctor who was killing people willing should be released from prison. My opinion about her husband that is how Hitler got started when a couple wanted their disformed baby dead he killed it. Michael Schivao is a sick and awful man.
Posted by Jennifer at March 26, 2005 09:03 AM
The videos are taken from 4 hours of data - I can make a deaf person appear to hear with that amount of video ... it's all perception..
Also - Rehabilitation HAS BEEN TRIED - for YEARS in fact!!!!
The part of Mrs. Schiavo's (note the correct spelling) brain that controls thought, cognition, awareness....IS GONE!!! It's not just damaged - it's GONE...no longer there!!!
Folks - read all the facts - not just the emotional appeal that is full of lies and innuendo... If her HUSBAND truly didn't care for her - he'd have left long ago - he'd have taken the millions of dollars offered to him and gone away. FURTHERMORE - the courts made the decision that she should be allowed to die...after years of consideration and CREDIBLE witness testimony the courts have decided over and over again that HER WISH was to not be kept alive by artificial means!!!
FOLKS - GET OUT OF THESE PEOPLE'S LIVES - IT'S NOT YOUR BUSINESS!!! You don't know all the facts and I find it flabbergasting that you think you know more than her doctors and her husband...now you are playing GOD!
ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
(can you tell I'm emotional about this? I had to make the decision for my Husband 3 years ago - it's the hardest thing I've ever done - even knowing his wishes and having a copy of his living will - the guilt and torment of wondering if you waited...if you let them put in a breathing tube...could he have had just one more day of life?....Let the poor woman die and let her family begin the grieving process)
++++++++++++++
Ms. Smith, I feel a deep amount of sorrow for what you had to go through. Believe me, I understand. My main objection is starving a disabled person to death. That is euthanasia and I am totally uncomfortable with that. Are there mitigating circumstances, did she really say don't keep her alive? I don't know, I wasn't there though it "looks" fishy to me. But the bottom line is I cannot stand by and watch a person starved to death. Pulling the plug I can understand when basic life support (breathing, cardiac support) is all that is keeping someone alive. But starving? Beyond the pale in my opinion and that is ALL I can go on.
Thank you for sharing a very difficult part of your life with my audience.
GMR
Posted by shirley at March 28, 2005 09:25 AM
Life is too short sometimes.
This is one of the saddest cases I have ever seen or heard. I feel for the families and everyone involved, however...
I have watched people just like Terri suffer. I have bathed them, dressed them and fed them. Why would anyone want to watch a loved one sit in a "home" and slip through the cracks? Become "another" vegatable for someone else to take care of.
I will tell you why.....because people tend to put their loved ones in nursing homes and let people like me be their love and support. I have seen countless families put people like Terri in "homes" and come once a week or once a month if the patient is lucky. Sometimes they never come back and visit. Unless it's to sign a death certificate. Maybe the one visit pushes back the guilt enough to "go on"!
This decision was between a husband and wife, years ago!
A life for Terri in a nursing home or a life with God? I would choose God! NO ONE DESERVES TO LIVE LIKE SHE IS! Believe me when I say that when you consider living the life she is and having some stranger come in day in and day out to bathe you and change the diaper in which you just messed yourself........I don't think any of us dream of a life like that.....do you?....Vegetable or Not......
Posted by LG at March 29, 2005 08:33 PM
I would like to comment that it is probably the hardest decision every to made to take someones life. I lost my father nine years ago to a brain tumor and his exact words were, after they took the tumor out the first time were "if it grows back again don't operate as I don't want to be a vegetable for the rest of my life". The hardest thing is watching someone die, but to leave them in a vegetative state for ever isn't fair either.
No one really knows what was said between her and her husband, but for god sake don't let her suffer any longer. When my father died it was like the world was lifted off my shoulders. Not because I wanted him to go because he wasn't suffering anymore.
I will always love my dad and he will never be forgotten. LET HER GO IN PEACE.
Posted by Sandra at March 31, 2005 11:24 PM
GM,
The real truth about Terri Schiavo's death isn't your graphic description of HOW she eventually died. We KNOW how she died.......the damn news media BEAT her to DEATH with a newspaper. It's none of your (edited) business what went on between the two families that lead up to her death. You bunch of bleeding heart liberals, mind your own business. She was BRAINDEAD for God's Sake. Nobody here would want to continue to subsist in that condition. YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!
________________________
Thank you for your note, CHS. GM is currently on life support in the Caribbean and expects to be recovered next week. I'll be sure to pass along your best wishes. Not to speak for him but to take up for him, here's a side that I see.
It's up to the families--not you, not GM--to determine if they want to make their affairs public. If they choose to do that, which they did in enlisting public support, then it is entirely proper for someone on the outside to listen to the concerns and respond. Beyond that, any and all matters involving courts and legal questions are public and appropriate for scrunity and debate. We don't know for sure whether or not Schiavo would have chosen to be dehydrated and starved to death, despite the sudden recall of suppressed memory of her husband who had reasons to fabricate something years later.
The media beat her to death!? ...and Newsweek kills! The media is starting to sound dangerous.
Also, I wouldn't classify GM as a liberal but rather a conservative with values and morals.
Thank you for your input. Please feel free to check back after GM returns and he will be glad to better discuss his beliefs.
Woody
Posted by CHS at May 17, 2005 12:23 PM
