Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

Original post by lullabella

Mar 18, 2005 03:30 PM

I am so torn over this one. I feel for both her husband and her family. If she told her husband she would not want to live this way then why did he wait 8 years to petition for removal of her feeding tube? I just think it is a horrible way to die, this poor woman suffered so much.

RedHead Posted: Mar 19, 2005 07:12 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

Posted by Sassyz75

I guess I have a problem with what is considered quality of life and what isn't.. it's a very dangerous place to tread- making definitions in this way. Is it an awful thing the way her life turned out? yes. Would I want to trade places with her? Of course not. Do I have a problem starving her to death because someone says, 'that's not quality of life so she has to die'. yes.

I just dont' think it is our jobs as human beings to value one life over another. Of dispose of a life because it doesn't fit to our defined standard of 'quality of life'...

There are a lot of sick people out there that do not enjoy the 'quality of life' that we do- but to simply say- it's no quality of life, and basically murder them is wrong.

At this point in time, with him having another relationship and children he should reliniquish his rights.. If this happened to me, I would want my mother to make the decision for me.. and I certainly told my husband that.

I understand what you are saying and i think that if you really SAW what their quality of life is...YOU would whole heartedly disagree

She is UNABLE to enjoy anything...and if you consider response to light or music..that is SAD. SHe has been like the for 15 YEARS...CAN YOU IMAGINE OR COMPREHEND THAT 15 YEARS..
I am not saying murder anyone..there is a difference here. And you really know it deep down!
Even if he relinquished his rights...to me this isn't about WHO this is about HER...

AND nobody should be like that...NOBODY (and i bet you yourself) would EVER want to be like that...Miracles upon MIRACLES....SHe will be profoundly retarded...SHe DOES NOT..NOR ever will have any quality of life...It isn't my assumptions it is just about being human and having the guts to want more for your child..she is NO christopher reeves...

AND i think it is truly a travesty that this has gone on for this long...SAD that people are sooo desperate and cannot just let her go to a place that she can be happy and free of this body that is holding her here!

Kate07 Posted: Mar 19, 2005 07:22 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

I was almost in tears over this whole thing this morning. I jus can't imagine starving someone to death on purpose. If they are going to kill her by witholding food, why not just give her an injection. To me that, even though not humane, is more in a sense humane than letting her shrivel up into nothing and feel the pain for all those days.

And that husband should never have been making any decisions for her. Everything I've heard about this case he stopped her therapy the minuet he got the malpractice money.

RedHead Posted: Mar 19, 2005 07:33 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

Posted by Kate07

I was almost in tears over this whole thing this morning. I jus can't imagine starving someone to death on purpose. If they are going to kill her by witholding food, why not just give her an injection. To me that, even though not humane, is more in a sense humane than letting her shrivel up into nothing and feel the pain for all those days.

And that husband should never have been making any decisions for her. Everything I've heard about this case he stopped her therapy the minuet he got the malpractice money.

I agree on some level...but
we don't know if she will feel pain...pain is usually a function of the brain...

honestmommy Posted: Mar 19, 2005 07:35 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

Why wont they give her something for pain just in case? I havent been following too closely. Too sad.

Goldi1021 Posted: Mar 19, 2005 10:09 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

Posted by RedHead

Posted by Goldi1021

My father has been in the hospital for the past 5 and a half months on a feeding tube. He has Alzheimers disease as well. So his brain functioning is not as it was. He also has a trach tube and an ileostomy bag and a foley catheter. He has various other ailments that will eventually get the best of him and cause him to die in the very near future. However, he is still responsive and has a soul. Nothing will be pulled. To pull a feeding tube is flat out cruel. We will help him live a comfortable life as long as he is on this earth. (That is all Terry's parents saked for from her husband. They would have allowed him to continue his life with his new family.) When it is my father's time, G-d will take him easily. Put yourself in those shoes and see if you could stop a person from living. It was NEVER an option for my family.

YES i could...would you keep your father they way he is for 15 years?
Seeing him like that....i don't think you could make him go through that! There is no end for this woman...this is her LIFE not death...
Your father has brain that is functioning...she DOESN'T...never will. What is keeping a feeding tube going to do?

I am sorry for your situation...i have been there but there is a HUGE difference in situations

Every person's situation is different. I respect your opinion. I wouldn't wish this situation on my worst enemy, as someone LOVES my worst enemy. As for how I 'KEEP' my father it is noone's business but that of mine and my family. Thank you.

Moehick Posted: Mar 19, 2005 10:14 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

According to the doctors she is unable to feel hunger and taking away the feeding tube is the most humane way to handle this.

RedHead Posted: Mar 19, 2005 10:14 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

i am sorry if you took what i said as offensive...it wasn't meant to be. I just don't think you can compare the situations..
They are completely different

I do know what you are going through...I watched my grandfather, my aunt died of cancer. My other aunt has a tumor on her lung right now and is desperately getting radiation in the hopes of shrinking it to do surgery. I do know what it is like to be in your shoes...And i am sorry...

All the best

Goldi1021 Posted: Mar 19, 2005 10:21 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

Posted by RedHead

i am sorry if you took what i said as offensive...it wasn't meant to be. I just don't think you can compare the situations..
They are completely different

I do know what you are going through...I watched my grandfather, my aunt died of cancer. My other aunt has a tumor on her lung right now and is desperately getting radiation in the hopes of shrinking it to do surgery. I do know what it is like to be in your shoes...And i am sorry...

All the best

Thank you very much. It is very much appreciated. My family has been in a tizzy for the past 5 and half months. On top of Dad's situation, mom just had open heart and a month of rehab - they were both in the hospital at the same time for about 6 weeks or so. Dad is not on a vent. He is at the point right now where we can hope that he goes peacefully in his sleep. There is nothing we can do but hope that he is comfortable and not feeling pain.

RedHead Posted: Mar 20, 2005 11:14 AM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

And the fight goes on....

This is sooo sad

If a court...a SUPREME court makes a decision..IT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED

What do we havea court system for?

luvsbob4603 Posted: Mar 21, 2005 07:12 PM

Re: Terry Schiavo Feeding Tube Removed

I heard on the news her parent's are fighting it now and the judge is going to make a decision i dont know when they will say weather they are going to put her back on feeding tube hopefully tomorrow they will come to a decision, they should just left it the way it was i know it harsh but what kind of life is she going to have staying on the feeding tube?

ETA. added some sayings.