These are difficult questions, to be sure.
I do believe, though, that the feeding tube IS life support. She cannot feed herself. So a mechanical means has been employed. That is life support.
It's the same with a respirator. When a patient can't breathe for themselves and an external system is employed to take over that function, that is life support.
I think people have a problem with the time period between cessation of life support and death. In the case of a respirator, it's only a few minutes but the patient still suffocates. In this case, it's a much longer time period. I think that makes some people very uncomfortable because it's not as quick. I know how it affects me.
I understand the emotions. It pulls at the heart. And there are no easy answers. Is there any more convincing argument than this to make sure you have a living will? I'm glad to hear you did just that, Leo, for yourself and for your family.
What I can't understand is the rumblings in the news about Congress wanting to subpoena Terry Schiavo for questioning before Congress.
From
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/18/sc...ged/index.html
Quote:
Earlier Friday, a House committee subpoenaed the brain-damaged woman to appear before Congress next week, and Schiavo's family was "hopeful" the brain-damaged woman would make that appearance in Washington, an attorney for her parents said Friday.
Meanwhile, a Senate committee issued an invitation for Terri Schiavo and her husband to testify on Capitol Hill.
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I'm not trying to be dense, but just what are they hoping to get out of her?