Medical Controversy

[Alec]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,100117,00.htmlDoctors removed the feeding tube Wednesday that has been keeping alive a severely brain-damaged woman at the center of an epic, six-year legal battle between her husband and parents.

Terri Schiavo, 39, underwent the procedure at the Tampa Bay area hospice where she has been living for several years, said her father, Bob Schindler. Attorneys representing her husband, Michael Schiavo, said it will take between a week and 10 days for her to die.

The tube removal came just hours after Gov. Jeb Bush told Bob Schindler and his wife, Mary, that he was instructing his legal staff to find some means to block the court order allowing Michael Schiavo to end his wife's life.

"I am not a doctor, I am not a lawyer. But I know that if a person can be able to sustain life without life support, that should be tried," the governor said, adding the "ultimate decision of this is in the courts." What do you think?

[Alec]

Should the husband be allowed to make the decision?

Should the parents be allowed to make it?

Was the right decision made?

Man, this one is tough.

[theyeti]

Geez.

It says she is in a "vegetative state." She's being kept alive by a tube. The article says...Doctors have testified that the noises and facial expressions Terri Schiavo makes are reflexes and do not indicate that she has enough mental capabilities to communicate with others. To me, both parts of Bush's statement in the quote Alec posted aren't right... her "life" doesn't appear to be very distinguishable from what she will be like after she dies naturally, which is bound to be soon. And the ultimate decision should NOT lie in the courts, for the only knowledge they will have of her as an individual will be what the parties tell them. And that isn't enough.

I wonder what her religious beliefs were... I don't think it is in the best interests if either the husband or the parents to make the decision alone. If the courts are to rule, let it be on which of them should decide - not what the decision actually is. If she believed there is something after life, let her move on for goodness sake. I know if it were me, I'd want to.

[Grimey]

After six years, I would probably lean toward letting her die. Still, it would be a hard decision.

[Alec]

I'm no expert, but it is my guess that the spouse has the final say on these types of matters, not the parents. I guess I should say the final say before a judge decides.

I would think the spouse is responsible for all of the medical bills. I'm not saying it should be a financial decision, but it doesn't seem reasonable to make someone keep paying the bills if he doesn't think it is right to keep her alive.

[jamesglewisf]

Florida passed a law giving the govenor the right to put the feeding tube back in, and he did it.

What do you think of that?

[theyeti]

I think now the legislature will be asked to intervene in every similar case, and they now that they've done it once, they should keep doing it.... not that I agree.

I also think that makes it even more important to have a living will, which 80% of Americans do not.

[jamesglewisf]

It's an interesting question for conservatives. Many are torn between being pro-life and not wanting governmental interference.

[Grimey]

Did the husband's appeal fail?