The Story of Jahi Continues

[EaglesWings21]

Why Jahi's Mother doesn't think she is dead:

Why Jahi McMath's Mom Is Sure Her Daughter Isn't Brain Dead - ABC News

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

The problem that I had with this story is that the reporter said that the family choose to disconnect the vent. It was not a choice. The uncle clearly stated that they didn't have a choice. The reason that it bothers me is that friends and family may see that and give the immediate family a hard time or accuse them of giving up” too soon. That family has suffered a horrific tragedy, they don't need more!

I think that the way Jahi's story has gotten so much media attention has given other families false hope. It has made people who already do not understand that brain dead means really dead question whether or not brain death actually exists. Before Jahi, we rarely saw brain death in the news. Sure, it happens, and loved ones deal with it, but it's private and not sensationalized. One of the GFM sites for Lisa had an accounting that mirrored some of what Jahi's family has said. Jahi's story is causing a culture shift from patients and families who strive to understand what's happening and deal with it in a way that provides a dignified end for a stricken loved one, to people who will stop at nothing to keep someone artificially animated for as long as a heart beats. No, this isn't a witch hunt, but there are issues with the way that Jahi's story is being told that reaches way beyond her family and these are issues that medical professionals shouldn't have to deal with! Hospitals are being tried and convicted in the news without being able to tell their stories, people think that they can stave off death with a lawsuit, and medical professionals have got to wonder what if” when they are running a code. If even one patient dies that needn't die because someone is afraid to intubate just in case it turns out like Jahi, then to me, that is a serious problem!

[FLAlleycat]

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.

Um, "comatose".

[FLAlleycat]

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.

=

LOL, I don't think pointing out a reporter's misuse of a rather important medical diagnosis a "witch hunt", especially when we've discussed ad nauseam how media contributes to public's confusion of comatose, PVS, and brain death. The article also alludes to the family's complacent consent, which it was not

I do agree that the circumstances of this family does not equate that of Jahi's I do think, though, that had they been able to garner the publicity, an uncaring lawyer, a judge incapable if backing CA law, and enough funding to obtain transport, this Mother would be in NY or NJ by now. Please do not imply that I am on a witch hunt when I am not. This family hopefully will be able to obtain the emotional support they need to grieve their loss instead of the impractical hope that Mom will wake up.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

I used the term witch hunt because I feel at times the direction of this topic has headed down that road.

I was speaking to a more global sense than specific point.

[FLAlleycat]

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

Quite true, and laws do need to be questioned/challenged. However, I do feel that as a physician, even Che would disagree with Judge Grillo's decision on the McMath case.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

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.

The word "comatose" to describe a woman who was diagnosed as brain dead was not remotely "factual."

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

The word "comatose" to describe a woman who was diagnosed as brain dead was not remotely "factual."

Neither was the statement "the family decided to unplug life support".

[klone, MSN, RN]

The word "comatose" to describe a woman who was diagnosed as brain dead was not remotely "factual."

Has that ever stopped Fox News in the past?

Sorry, it was just dangling there. I couldn't resist.

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

Quite true, and laws do need to be questioned/challenged. However, I do feel that as a physician, even Che would disagree with Judge Grillo's decision on the McMath case.

Me too, actually.

I see nothing wrong with any questioning the public has regarding brain death. It is the responsibility of the medical professionals to respond to these questions in spite of how aggressively, stupidly or inappropriately they are asked. The general public has and will continue to have difficulty understanding 'brain death', because without medical educations, 'brain death' will always look arbitrary to a degree. Obviously the medical profession has issues with public trust, some our own fault, others not our fault.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Me too, actually.

I see nothing wrong with any questioning the public has regarding brain death. It is the responsibility of the medical professionals to respond to these questions in spite of how aggressively, stupidly or inappropriately they are asked. The general public has and will continue to have difficulty understanding 'brain death', because without medical educations, 'brain death' will always look arbitrary to a degree. Obviously the medical profession has issues with public trust, some our own fault, others not our fault.

RIght! It is our job to educate them, answer their questions and provide all the proof we have on an individual basis. Where I thnk the rest of us have an issue is with a family like this who won't accept the facts at all. I can even understand early on how they could find it difficult to believe a loved one is gone but it's been 16 months, surely Jahi's family knows the truth by now.

[amoLucia]

Just to update respondents here that today is the 10th anniversary of Terry Schiavo's death. Karen Quinlan died in 1985 but I find it interesting that she died in a LTC facility in NJ. Terry S. died in Florida.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Just to update respondents here that today is the 10th anniversary of Terry Schiavo's death. Karen Quinlan died in 1985 but I find it interesting that she died in a LTC facility in NJ. Terry S. died in Florida.

Thank you for the reminder. Her death deserves to be remembered, for all of the ethical and moral dilemmas it presented. Those issues pertain to us, as nurses.