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Starving for a Fair Diagnosis
Posted by Raven on March 23rd, 2005
Some more facts about Terri:
Many people believe that Terri Schiavo has had “the best of care,” and that everything has been tried by way of rehabilitation. This belief is false. In fact, Terri has had no attempts at therapy or rehabilitation since 1992, and very little had been done up to that point. Terri has not even had the physical therapy most doctors would regard as normative for someone in her condition. The result is that Terri suffers from severe muscle contractures, which have caused her body to become contorted. Physical therapy could remedy this, but husband Michael has refused to provide it.
Terri has also suffered from what many professionals would regard as neglect. She had to have several teeth extracted last year because of severe decay. This decay was caused by a lack of basic dental hygiene, such as tooth-brushing. She also developed decubitus (skin) ulcers on her buttocks and thighs. These ulcers can be prevented by a simple regimen of regular turning: a basic nursing task that any certified nurse’s aide can perform. The presence of these easily preventable ulcers is a classic sign of neglect. Bob and Mary Schindler have repeatedly complained of Terri’s neglect, and have sought to remove Michael as guardian on that basis. Judge Greer was unmoved by those complaints as well.
More:
And, quite apart from the question of Terri’s therapy and care, it is entirely likely that Terri has never been properly diagnosed. Terri is usually described as being in a Persistent Vegetative State (PVS), and indeed Judge Greer ruled as a finding of fact that she is PVS; but this diagnosis and finding were arrived at in a way that has many neurologists expressing surprise and dismay.
I have spent the past ten days recruiting and interviewing neurologists who are willing to come forward and offer affidavits or declarations concerning new testing and examinations for Terri. In addition to the 15 neurologists’ affidavits Gibbs had in time to present in court, I have commitments from over 30 others who are willing to testify that Terri should have new and additional testing, and new examinations by unbiased neurologists. Almost 50 neurologists all say the same thing: Terri should be reevaluated, Terri should be reexamined, and there are grave doubts as to the accuracy of Terri’s diagnosis of PVS. All of these neurologists are board-certified; a number of them are fellows of the prestigious American Academy of Neurology; several are professors of neurology at major medical schools.
And this:
In the course of my conversation with Dr. Morin, he made reference to the standard use of MRI and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans to diagnose the extent of brain injuries. He seemed to assume that these had been done for Terri. I stopped him and told him that these tests have never been done for her; that Michael had refused them.
There was a moment of dead silence.
“That’s criminal,” he said, and then asked, in a tone of utter incredulity: “How can he continue as guardian? People are deliberating over this woman’s life and death and there’s been no MRI or PET?” He drew a reasonable conclusion: “These people [Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer] don’t want the information.”
On and on this article goes. It may be too damn late…but it’s worth reading anyway.
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:11 pm
The End of the Line?
Today’s dose of NIF – daily News, Interesting & Funny … pray for Terri!
March 23rd, 2005 at 5:33 pm
As this all comes out in the cable media, talk radio, and blogosphere (ignored by the MSM, who otherwise would proclaim basic human rights needs for Gitmo terrorist detainees or due process for child rapist/murders), whose heads are eventually going to roll?
More disconcerting is why this all has been ignored for so long in the FL system. Which we know sucks generally, from all the horrid stories O’Reilly has covered in their foster care system. And, oh yea, Election 2000.
March 24th, 2005 at 1:14 pm
This whole thing has been gut-wrenching for a lot of people, but the time has come to learn whatever lessons can be learned and let it go. There’s a good post on Rightwing Nuthouse arguing against some kind of executive interference at this point. Of course, when Terri dies, the statute of limitations is out the window, so Michael Schiavo might want to go easy on the champagne.
March 24th, 2005 at 4:32 pm
Yeah well…It’s just about over, barring some new event or other miracle. Hate to give up…she is right on heavens door now.