U.S. government will starve a woman to death today.

[HazyRigby]

On a side note: if euthanasia were legal, Terry could be put to sleep and euthanized with drugs. This extensive starvation wouldn't be necessary. Ironically, it's the same kind of people who hold signs up about the "sanctity of life" that have prevented Terry from dying more quickly and painlessly. Hmmm.

I think everyone here is missing the point. You Christians are constantly complaining about how marriage means the two are "one flesh"--so put your money where your mouths are. The husband has the legal right to control his wife's destiny in this matter. Her parents should have NO SAY. If something like this ever happened to me, I know that my husband would know much better than my parents how I would like things to be handled. And I would certainly hope, if I were brain-dead and there was an involved legal battle over me like this one, that my husband would be able to find solace and happiness in any way possible. If he met and loved another woman, so be it. I would want him to be happy.

And besides, none of this is any of our business. If Terry needs an advocate, I'm sure she has plenty. I'm also positive that the last thing the family needs at this time is a bunch of hysterical life-at-any-cost protestors doing their best to make this as stressful as possible. So stop worrying about what other people's families do, and worry about your own! Sheesh.

 

[cbk]

lethal injection would be much more painless than starvation. starvation is inhumane. it is disgusting to even think about killing someone intentionally that way. if you do not think so then sit down in your chair and think about killing yourself by starving to death. think about it. think about it every day before you go to sleep. think about how when you are dying and moaning in pain nobody is going to care or look at you. think about the puss and foam that will ooze out of your mouth. think about how saggy your face will look when you are dehydrated and your nose job starts to fall off.

Oh, no... Not lethal injection.. That would DIRECTLY be murder via execution of an innocent! The courts prefer to let her die on her own merit by not feeding herself... Of course, forget the fact that rehabilitation has been denied her which would have given her the ability to eat.

I wonder if they are NOW putting food on a spoon and trying to get her to eat to justify the fact that they are NOW trying to help her.

 

[jayswife29]

I doubt it cbk. Help her after all this time? Right. So if the husband is 'carrying out her final wishes' to die, then he looks a little strange claiming on one hand that she is comatose and non-responsive, while on the other hand claiming that this is what she wants. How does he know what she wants, if she is brain dead and cant respond to anything?

 

[TCapp]

An excerpt from a CNSnews.com article.

Doctor describes process of dehydration

"What will probably kill Terri is dehydration because it's much quicker than starvation," Stevens said. "To starve to death takes eight to 12 weeks. You can die of dehydration in anywhere from three to five days to two weeks."

Stevens said the amount of fluids in Terri's system when her gastrostomy or "feeding tube" was removed and whether she receives any fluids by mouth will determine how long she lives.

Initial effects of the lack of hydration will include:

* Extreme thirst;

* Nausea and cramping;

* Dry skin, becoming wrinkled as fluids are drawn from the skin to hydrate the organs.


"She's likely to become dizzy and begin to have cramping in her arms and legs. That's because her electrolytes, her sodium, potassium and other electrolytes in her blood start getting out of whack because of lack of fluids."

Terri's body will experience other effects due to the forced dehydration that many might not have been considered.

"She'll see decreased secretions. If she tries to cry, she won't be able to make tears very well, if at all," Stevens said. "Her mouth will become dry and saliva thick. You can have cracking of the [mucous membranes] of the mouth and lips as they dry out."

Those external symptoms of dehydration are accompanied by internal effects, as well.

"People often get headaches, then [become] lethargic and finally go into coma," Stevens continued. "It actually can cause seizures.

"As it progressively gets worse, what happens [are] the physical signs. Her blood pressure will drop, her heart rate will pick up. She'll actually, ultimately go into shock," Stevens explained. "You just don't have enough fluid to keep your blood pressure up, and it drops so low, and that sometimes can be a terminal event, or an arrhythmia of her heart.

"Her blood will get thicker," Stevens continued. "Sometimes, people who are severely dehydrated will actually have strokes just because the blood gets so thick that it clots. It's not a pretty picture."

Which of these symptoms Terri experiences and to what degree will depend on whether the hospice staff makes any attempt to hydrate her by mouth and whether she is offered any pain medication.

"If they sedate her, she could be semi-conscious or unconscious while this is going on," Stevens said. "It's not a very pleasant experience, unlike what the Hemlock Society and other groups try to make you believe."

Stevens explained that he had "had a little bit of experience" in this particular field "since I worked in Africa for 11 years with severely dehydrated people, especially kids."

Starvation, Stevens said, is not really an issue for Terri.

"It's a long process that, depending on what condition people are in when it begins, determines how long it's going to take," Stevens said. "But if you're not getting fluids, it's academic interest. Before you starve to death, you'll die of dehydration."

 

[nyj]

On a side note: if euthanasia were legal, Terry could be put to sleep and euthanized with drugs.

I was under the assumption that in order for someone to be euthanised, they needed to give their consent. Supposedly at this point, she cannot give her consent. This would be a moot point if she had signed a living will and asked for no extraordinary means to keep her alive. However, her husband conveniently forgot to mention that she had made such a request (never written down) only ten years after she went into this persistently vegetative state. By then, it was much too late.

 

[HazyRigby]

I was under the assumption that in order for someone to be euthanised, they needed to give their consent.

If this is true (and legal), then why is Jack Kevorkian in jail?

 

[nyj]

If this is true (and legal), then why is Jack Kevorkian in jail?

Because euthanasia in most states is not legal (it's only legal in Oregon). However, in those states where euthanasia is allowed, or proposed, it's based on the patients own-willingness to terminate their life. That's why in some circles it's termed "physician assisted suicide". If the patient does not consent, or seek this route, it's not suicide, it's murder.

 

[cbk]

And to take the testimony of a 'husband' living with another woman and having her children, to me, would only constitute hearsay and is very discrediting.

I am sure there is money out there that will reach his pockets.

 

[KennySe]

And besides, none of this is any of our business. If Terry needs an advocate, I'm sure she has plenty. I'm also positive that the last thing the family needs at this time is a bunch of hysterical life-at-any-cost protestors doing their best to make this as stressful as possible. So stop worrying about what other people's families do, and worry about your own! Sheesh.

The people at the vigil are peacefully praying; there isn't any hysteria. (And if there were it would make wonderful news, wouldn't it?)

Terri's family are Christians. WE ARE THEIR FAMILY. Whatsoever we do to the least, we do unto Christ.

********

If your next door neighbor were beating his wife, what would you do?

********

And an update. Terry is still being dehydrated and starved to death, while being given medication so that she cannot feel the pain.

Also, Legal Specialists have written to Governor Bush that he can take action legally. Read their letters. http://www.terrisfight.org/lead.htm

From Thomas Moore Law Center

From Herbert Titus

From John B. Thompson

From Brian Fahling

From Common Good Foundation

From Gibbs Law Firm

 

[HazyRigby]

Terri's family are Christians. WE ARE THEIR FAMILY. Whatsoever we do to the least, we do unto Christ.

********

If your next door neighbor were beating his wife, what would you do?

I wonder how Terri's husband feels about your actions? Oh, but wait. You guys don't consider his feelings. You're too busy calling him names, wishing bad things to happen to him, making assumptions based on biased media stories...

For all we know, Terri's parents could be hoping to sell her into sexual slavery. (Not likely, I know, but you see my point.) We don't know anything about this family! You don't know the husband's mind and heart. It's nobody's business but the family's.

And if my next door neighbor were beating his wife, I would stay out of it. Why? If she's stupid (yes, stupid) enough to hang around when someone starts hurting her, then who am I to stop it? Unlike some people, I see women as adults, with the ability to make conscious choices in their lives. Women aren't the eternal victims. And if some man's beating you up every night, and you stay and stay and stay for the abuse, sister, you're on your own. If you choose to leave and get help, I'll lend a hand in whatever way you need it. But I'm not going to go calling the police as if the woman is some sort of farm animal who can't fend for herself.

 

[nyj]

And if my next door neighbor were beating his wife, I would stay out of it. Why? If she's stupid (yes, stupid) enough to hang around when someone starts hurting her, then who am I to stop it? Unlike some people, I see women as adults, with the ability to make conscious choices in their lives. Women aren't the eternal victims. And if some man's beating you up every night, and you stay and stay and stay for the abuse, sister, you're on your own. If you choose to leave and get help, I'll lend a hand in whatever way you need it. But I'm not going to go calling the police as if the woman is some sort of farm animal who can't fend for herself.

This is possibly one of the most ignorant things I've seen out of someone's mouth in a long long time. Sheesh, glad you're not my neighbor. You really have no clue about life, do you?

 

[revolutio]

This is possibly one of the most ignorant things I've seen out of someone's mouth in a long long time. Sheesh, glad you're not my neighbor. You really have no clue about life, do you?

I agree that that was a very frightening thing to say. However I wouldn't say he has 'no clue' about life. He just doesn't hold the same ideals that you do.

 

[nyj]

I agree that that was a very frightening thing to say. However I wouldn't say he has 'no clue' about life. He just doesn't hold the same ideals that you do.

I don't think ideals really have anything to do with it. He obviously has no idea about emotional abuse and how that has an impact on the entire thought process of those being abused. To somehow state that it's really all their fault, for allowing themselves to be human punching bags is more than just frightening.

 

[Photini]

And if my next door neighbor were beating his wife, I would stay out of it. Why? If she's stupid (yes, stupid) enough to hang around when someone starts hurting her, then who am I to stop it? Unlike some people, I see women as adults, with the ability to make conscious choices in their lives. Women aren't the eternal victims. And if some man's beating you up every night, and you stay and stay and stay for the abuse, sister, you're on your own. If you choose to leave and get help, I'll lend a hand in whatever way you need it. But I'm not going to go calling the police as if the woman is some sort of farm animal who can't fend for herself.

I'm sorry, but this seems very selfish to me. I was married to a physically and mentally abusive man, and it took me quite a while to leave. You obviously have no clue what goes on in the heart and mind of a woman who is oppressed emotionally and physically by her partner. Saying she's stupid is not a fair judgment.

 

[admtaylor]

Ok, I know this has all gone down already, but I voted no clue. Why.....because I have no idea what's going on around this situation. I don't know if one side can't bear to lose her, which is understandable, and are holding on to a losing cause. Or if the other side is considering her a burden, let's hope not, and just wants this over with. I also don't know about the hole feeding tube thing. Is this a g tube that enters the stomach? Is this a tube that goes down her throat? What is it? I work with people who use G tubes and they live perfectly normal lives. So if that's the case then I would definetly say no, no, no. But like I said I don't know all the surrounding reasons. Is she on any other support? Does her body function without breathing support, or circulation support. What's the specs on that? Anyway I ramble......

 

[JEREMY O'ROURKE]

The husband is cruel and just dispicable shacking up with some woman with one child out of wed lock and another on the way. He did not even allow Terri to be rehabilitated. Sure sounds like Love to me. Please if this is Love then I sure do not want to see hate. We would get fined these days for doing this to an animal but it is fine though to do this to a human. God have mercy on our society! It seems scary that these are what our childeren will be faced with. I sure hope Jesus hurries up and comes back soon. There is a radio talk show host that has given people alot of the contact numbers and addresses of people who can still help Terri. He even has the contct number of the hospice where she is being kept in Florida. He was encouraging listeners to contact them and let them know what a horrific thing that they were doing. His website is www.adam@takeastand.net We can still keep the pressure on Gov Bush and the hospice etc. Another thing is that this violates Terris religious beliefs because she is a Catholic. The host of the radio talk show I gave you name is Adam Mcmanus and he even has contacts of some of the leadership of her religion in that area. Lets quit just writing here and start taking a stand for the right thing. I hope and trust many of you will contact him and get the info you need to make some calls and send emails etc.

 

[HazyRigby]

This is possibly one of the most ignorant things I've seen out of someone's mouth in a long long time. Sheesh, glad you're not my neighbor. You really have no clue about life, do you?

First of all, I am a she. Second of all, I know this topic intimately. Thirdly, I would do the same thing if it were a man being hit by his wife. People aren't cattle. They have a will and brains of their own, to do as they wish. Treating women as victims that you can rush in and save (when they have done nothing to help themselves) just proves how much of a Sir Lancelot complex you have.

I understand that people make self-destructive decisions all of the time, and I have no right to tell them what they may and may not do. People smoke. People do drugs. People drive without seatbelts. People drink. People gamble. I consider each of these things to be as destructive (if not more so) than choosing a violent man for a husband. But it's not my business to tell my neighbors what to do, or to make decisions for them. Nor is it yours. If you'd call the police if a man were beating his wife, would you call the police if you saw someone light a cigarette in front of a baby? What about if you saw someone light a crack pipe? If someone were driving without a seatbelt? If we spent our time calling the police for every bit of irresponsible behavior we ever saw, not only would we be the nosiest people in the world, we'd be the stupidest.

 

[HazyRigby]

I'm sorry, but this seems very selfish to me. I was married to a physically and mentally abusive man, and it took me quite a while to leave. You obviously have no clue what goes on in the heart and mind of a woman who is oppressed emotionally and physically by her partner. Saying she's stupid is not a fair judgment.

But you did leave, didn't you? The mark of "stupid" was applied to women who do not....and how else would one describe a creature who stays in an environment that could be lethal? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that staying with an abusive husband could equal death.

I would call someone who continued to do drugs (even though he knew the consequences) stupid.

I would call someone who smokes and refuses to quit stupid.

I think gambling is self-destructive and stupid.

Regardless of the modus operandi, doing something that you know will hurt you is a very ignorant decision. Do I feel sorry for abused women? Of course. But in most cases, there were signs before the abuse even started that would've warned a reasonable person. And if you do nothing to help yourself, then how do I know you even want out?

 

[Photini]

But you did leave, didn't you? The mark of "stupid" was applied to women who do not....and how else would one describe a creature who stays in an environment that could be lethal? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that staying with an abusive husband could equal death.

?

I fled only after he held a gun to my forehead. According to you, if he would have shot me, I would have deserved what I got.

 

[Fiat]

But you did leave, didn't you? The mark of "stupid" was applied to women who do not....and how else would one describe a creature who stays in an environment that could be lethal? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that staying with an abusive husband could equal death.

I would call someone who continued to do drugs (even though he knew the consequences) stupid.

I would call someone who smokes and refuses to quit stupid.

I think gambling is self-destructive and stupid.

Regardless of the modus operandi, doing something that you know will hurt you is a very ignorant decision. Do I feel sorry for abused women? Of course. But in most cases, there were signs before the abuse even started that would've warned a reasonable person. And if you do nothing to help yourself, then how do I know you even want out?

If we lived in a perfect world, then this would hold up. However, we don't. None of us are perfect and perhaps in your eyes the above referenced is "stupid". My heart goes out to those who are abused and living in addiction and I do not believe they are stupid, but in need of help.