Question about PVS

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Specializes in Emergency room, med/surg, UR/CSR.

I have a question about this ongoing contraversy of Terri Schiavo being in a PVS. I have seen the videos and it seems to me that she could more acuritly be classed as severely brain damaged, however on another sight I sometimes lurk on someone defined PVS and it included actions such as Terri is exhibiting.

I guess my question is: is she in a persistive vegetative state or not? She was shown laughing at music, opening her eyes on command, smiling at her mom, but according to the definition that was posted a patient in PVS can do those things.

At any rate, whether she is or isn't I don't feel that is humane to starve her to death, and from what I have read her "husband" sounds like the scum of the earth. I know I would not want to be in the condition that she is, but to me life support is intubation not feeding tubes. I know feeding tubes do help patients survive that can't eat on their own, but............as many people have already brought up, where do you draw the line?

JMHO,

Pam

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

We studied PVS this summer and I actually had a group of students to do clinicals at a site with some children who are TRULY in a PVS. From what I can see about Ms Schiavo, she is NOT in a PVS--just another liberal media lie. Agree with you about this lady's "husband." It is very, very scary that we as a society are even debating this issue, particularly when there is so much uncertainty. When in doubt, we should ALWAYS err on the side of LIFE.

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Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

I have the same PVS info as you so I can't help you, however, I am glad that I don't have to make these decisions about my loved one.

It is easy to judge people making these decisions, there is no black and white area; there is no right or wrong. It seems to me the husband has made some difficult decisions, keep in mind this did not happen just this year, it has been 13 years. How difficult it must be to see someone so young who you love in a vegetative state. It seems to me that if she was going to improve and that rehab was an option it would have happened already. If it hasn't happened yet how can we know it will? Is this how the patient wanted to live her life? Is she being kept alive for herself or the family?

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