Isn't it PAINFUL to start eating after starvation process has started?

[Proud2BAmurkin]

If Jeb forcibly removes Terri only to be slapped down in 24-48 hours by another judge won't he only INCREASE Terri's suffering by re-inserting the tube if she feels anything at all

[EFerrari]

1. The clinical situation is, we don't know if she feels pain or not.

If enough of your brain pain centers are gone or atrophied, your nervous system might register a disruption but it won't be felt as "pain".

This poor woman has become our national projection screen.

[deadparrot]

She can't feel anything. nt

[LSparkle]

2. I think so -- they have to surgically re-insert the tube

If she has any sensation whatsoever, that's got to be uncomfortable.

[Heddi]

6. The PEG is still in place, the feeding tube isn't

the feeding mechanism that is hooked to the tube has been removed.

Here's what it looks like



There is a port that goes from the outside of the abdomen into the stomach. That is surgically implanted and is pretty much permanent.

There is a plastic feeding tube that is attached to the port. The plastic feeding tube is changed and disposable. It's connected to a mechanism which pushes liquefied nutrients through the plastic tube, into the PEG tube, which is connected directly into the stomach

Here's a better picture



What you see is the actual PEG tube. The plastic feeding tube (much like IV tubing) is attached at the port in the patient's hand.

So the PEG is in place, the feeding tube has been disconnected from the port.

If they were to continue feeding, they would only have to connect the feeding tube to the port, not surgically implant another port alltogether

[incapsulated]

3. They don't care because...

It's to "save her life!!!"

She can't feel anything, period.

[LuminousX]

4. Pain is no longer a factor

The area of her brain that would feel pain is gone. While her autonomic system may allow her to react to some things, I do believe there just isn't any pain.

Also, don't fall into the trap that they are sliding jell-o and oatmeal down that feeding tube, it is actually a complex dose of chemicals that sustain life functions.

(It may or may not taste like Tasty Oats)

[Spinzonner]

5. Umm, she's not EATING

and hasnt been for years and years.

A Feeding Tube is not eating.

Now it does involve digestion. Are you making assertions about restarting the digestion processes ?

[Proud2BAmurkin]

9. yes my understanding is the restarted digestive process causes pain

.

[Lucille]

7. For someone with intact mental faculties, I believe it is.

This is what I was told by a friend who's mother opted for starvation and mophine when she entered the late phase of an inoperable cancer. If Terri Schaivo's family truly believes she is "lucid," you would think this would be a consideration. OTOH, in the guardian ad litem's report, it seems the Schindlers said they would chop off her limbs if they became gangrenous and perform open-heart surgery on her if it would help her keep a pulse. Pretty horrible, given the fact that they believe she is still sentient.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. The problem will be the deterioration

of her vital organs. She is 6 days into the death process and some things at this point are irreversible. Even if her brain functioned returned, her heart, kidneys, liver and other stuff may no longer function properly.