The Story of Jahi Continues

LakeEmerald · Mar 28, 2015

"Corpse care" (not my term) takes place every every minute of every day all across this country in ICUs and LTACs. There's no indignity in this and is done by some of the finest nurses out there. This case is not that unusual, it's just sensationalized.

Take a tour of a neuro LTAC and you will see adults who have survived for years in a variety of nonconscious (coma to brain dead) states on various forms of life support: ventilators, feeding tubes, etc. Another unfortunate term for these patients is "flip-turns." This could stem from an incident that happened to them as a child, for example, a bad bicycle or car accident.

I personally would not a let a loved-one persist for more than a few "hoping-for-a-miracle months," but I respect a family's right to choose this option, especially if the patient is not suffering (debatable) and if the family can pay for it. In both the Jahi and Whitney's daughter cases, private entities are footing the bill.

The families are dealing with their suffering their way, and while it is an interesting topic (or I wouldn't be here), it is really none of the general public's business what they decide.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

"Corpse care" (not my term) takes place every every minute of every day all across this country in ICUs and LTACs. There's no indignity in this and is done by some of the finest nurses out there. This case is not that unusual, it's just sensationalized.
Take a tour of a neuro LTAC and you will see adults who have survived for years in a variety of nonconscious (coma to brain dead) states on various forms of life support: ventilators, feeding tubes, etc. Another unfortunate term for these patients is "flip-turns." This could stem from an incident that happened to them as a child, for example, a bad bicycle or car accident.
I personally would not a let a loved-one persist for more than a few "hoping-for-a-miracle months," but I respect a family's right to choose this option, especially if the patient is not suffering (debatable) and if the family can pay for it. In both the Jahi and Whitney's daughter cases, private entities are footing the bill.
The families are dealing with their suffering their way, and while it is an interesting topic (or I wouldn't be here), it is really none of the general public's business what they decide.

First, coma and PVS are not dead. I agree that I wouldn't want a loved one kept alive in that state, but they are indeed alive and if that is their wish and that of their family, it's not our business. That's different than corpse care. Jahi is DEAD, she has been dead for well mover a year, and no! There are not brain dead people all over the country being kept animated on machines. Only the state of NJ will accept a family's request not to turn off ventilators in the case of a dead patient. Thus, dead people on vents live in NJ and no where else!

Cases like Jahi's are few and far between. Most people-ALL rational and logical people accept the sad horrifying truth when a family member dies and they discontinue support. So corpse care in NOT common at all. Jahi is no unique, but pretty close to it.

Secondly, are you familiar with this case and this particular scammer of a family? If not, you might want to catch up. This family is not "dealing" with anything, they are using their poor dead teenage daughter to scam people on GFM and other sites and attempt to drain every cent out of the situation they can, then they go online and flaunt Michael Kors bags and expensive nights on the town that they spent the donated money on. This mother abandoned her live children to more to nj to take care of the dead one. I think you are a bit under informed.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 28, 2015

NY also will allow a family to reject brain death.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

Comatose Mother Dies - Los Angeles News | FOX 11 LA KTTV

Lisa Avila was taken off life support yesterday and passed away shortly thereafter.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

NY also will allow a family to reject brain death.

I didn't know that. Thanks

FLAlleycat · Mar 28, 2015

Comatose Mother Dies - Los Angeles News | FOX 11 LA KTTV
Lisa Avila was taken off life support yesterday and passed away shortly thereafter.

Another example of a reporter purposely or ignorantly misusing words to garner readers. This family also did not approve of removal of the support but did accept it. "If it was up to the family we would keep Lisa on life support and continue fighting for her life. But unfortunately, under California law, we have exhausted all options in our legal rights to keep her on life support," Lisa's uncle Larry Terry said.

Thank goodness some idiot judge didn't interfere with CA law this time!

BrandonLPN, LPN · Mar 28, 2015

Another example of a reporter purposely or ignorantly misusing words to garner readers. This family also did not approve of removal of the support but did accept it. "If it was up to the family we would keep Lisa on life support and continue fighting for her life. But unfortunately, under California law, we have exhausted all options in our legal rights to keep her on life support," Lisa's uncle Larry Terry said.
Thank goodness some idiot judge didn't interfere with CA law this time!

I'm getting tired of all the airhead, eye-candy television reporters. Especially on the local news affiliates.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

I'm getting tired of all the airhead, eye-candy television reporters. Especially on the local news affiliates.

Exactly! But reporting REAL news doesn't garner the attention that the sensationalism does :-(

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

Another example of a reporter purposely or ignorantly misusing words to garner readers. This family also did not approve of removal of the support but did accept it. "If it was up to the family we would keep Lisa on life support and continue fighting for her life. But unfortunately, under California law, we have exhausted all options in our legal rights to keep her on life support," Lisa's uncle Larry Terry said.
Thank goodness some idiot judge didn't interfere with CA law this time!

One man's idiot judge is another man's Che Guevara.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

Comatose Mother Dies - Los Angeles News | FOX 11 LA KTTV
Lisa Avila was taken off life support yesterday and passed away shortly thereafter.

What was it in this news segment, other than the reporter's attractive looks, that you found so offensive?

What words did the reporter " purposely or ignorantly use to garner readers? "

I am certainly no fan of FOX news, but this piece was factual and respectful.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

What was it in this news segment, other than the reporter's attractive looks, that you found so offensive?
What words did the reporter " purposely or ignorantly use to garner readers? "
I am certainly no fan of FOX news, but this piece was factual and respectful.

Nothing I saw.

I do not equate this family's actions to Jahi's people.

This needs to be kept a discussion and not a witch hunt.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 29, 2015

What was it in this news segment, other than the reporter's attractive looks, that you found so offensive?
What words did the reporter " purposely or ignorantly use to garner readers? "
I am certainly no fan of FOX news, but this piece was factual and respectful.

I'll admit to having an issue with the title "Comatose mother dies": if the patient has been declared brain dead, the use of coma isn't really appropriate, and the patient has technically already died.