Never has the American public’s consciousness regarding life sustaining methods and the importance of advanced directives been so heightened as with the recent Terri Shiavo case. Terri Shiavo had suffered extensive brain damage in 1990 when she collapsed due to cardiac and respiratory failure possibly related to extensive dieting. She remained comatose for two and a half months and upon awakening regained a normal sleep wake cycle, yet did not respond to stimulus and was unaware of her environment. One year later, after many tests and attempts at rehabilitation she was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) (Wikipedia).Terri, like other patients in PVS, exhibited many behaviors that could be construed as arising from partial consciousness. Grinding teeth, swallowing, smiling, shedding tears, grunting, moaning, and screaming without any external stimulus are common behaviors seen in patients in PVS (Persistent). Unable to acknowledge the need to eat or ability to be fed, Terri received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube. The peg tube is surgically placed into the stomach through the abdominal wall, which allows the patient to be fed and hydrated. Terri was receiving the necessities of life, and could have essentially lived the average life span, yet with little quality or enjoyment.
References:
“Persistent Vegetative State.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 19 February 2007.
20 February 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_vegetative_state.
“Terri Schiavo.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 20 February 2007. 20 February 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Terri_Schiavo&oldid=109672072.
Photo: Terri, before and after accident; obtained at: http://www.lldf.org/2_up_lg.jpg
1 comment:
Excellent so far.
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