The Story of Jahi Continues

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

Jahi has a six-year-old sister who has made it clear she hates living in New Jersey, wants to return to her home in California, and presumably has a cot or other set-up in either her mother's bedroom or the living room so her dead sister can take the bedroom she would otherwise have.

I wonder how much therapy is going to be in the works for that kid?

Also wondering why her dear mother is not working even one hour a week, when there are nurses round the clock to care for Jahi? I am assuming she has welfare benefits because of her youngest daughter, who is in school during the day. I guess it's enough funding to keep her in parties and manicures....

ebrooks1013 · Oct 23, 2015

Her mother shared an update this week. Eyes covered... Family of Jahi McMath, teen declared brain dead, shares update | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2015

Her mother shared an update this week. Eyes covered... Family of Jahi McMath, teen declared brain dead, shares update | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

Anyone here actually believe she is following her mother's commands?

Nonyvole, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2015

Anyone here actually believe she is following her mother's commands?

Of course not.

I also have to ask just what, exactly, the room smells like!

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2015

This is such a sad story. I wonder at what point her mom will finally let her go.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 24, 2015

This is such a sad story. I wonder at what point her mom will finally let her go.

Based on the mother's brother's public commentary when she finally gets payment greater than the statutory limit of $250,000 (aka "chump change")

NurseQT · Oct 25, 2015

Hmmmm, gotta wonder why they have "Sleeping Beauty's" eyes taped shut....

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 25, 2015

Hmmmm, gotta wonder why they have "Sleeping Beauty's" eyes taped shut....

Inadequate lacrimation to prevent eyeballs from completely drying out. The brain dead child preserved by his mother's refusal to accept reality for nearly two decades had to have his eyelids sewn shut (there was the equivalent of a shriveled petrified walnut in his cranial vault upon autopsy but spinal reflexes persisted for years.). I recall someone in an extended PVS where they ended up having to remove the eyeballs after a decade (allegedly non trach/vent PVS but clearly insufficient brain & physiological activity to sustain full hydration of the body)

ebrooks1013 · Oct 26, 2015

They can't just keep a dead body on support forever can they? This is just wrong. After this round of court appearances somebody should be able to do SOMETHING

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 26, 2015

They can't just keep a dead body on support forever can they? This is just wrong. After this round of court appearances somebody should be able to do SOMETHING

Nearly two decades is the record post brain death from encephalitis if I recall correctly

CarryThatWeight, BSN · Oct 26, 2015

Inadequate lacrimation to prevent eyeballs from completely drying out. The brain dead child preserved by his mother's refusal to accept reality for nearly two decades had to have his eyelids sewn shut (there was the equivalent of a shriveled petrified walnut in his cranial vault upon autopsy but spinal reflexes persisted for years.). I recall someone in an extended PVS where they ended up having to remove the eyeballs after a decade (allegedly non trach/vent PVS but clearly insufficient brain & physiological activity to sustain full hydration of the body)

Taping or sewing eyelids shut, removing eyeballs... It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up! Can't people see that this isn't life?! That just because we can doesn't mean we should?

NurseStorm, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2015

Wow this whole case is absolutely horrific! I don't know how I missed this in the media but I have read all about it over the last few days after seeing a poster here reference her in another post. Truly appalling NJ is allowing this.

Family of Jahi McMath, declared 'brain dead' celebrates her 15th birthday | Daily Mail Online

"15 and fabulous" She writes.. :no:

I had a 6 year old cousin have a massive brain hemorrhage very suddenly and unexpectedly due to an AVM (undiagnosed obviously). It was an extremely horrible situation for everyone, especially his parents of course. He was confirmed brain dead, when they performed the perfusion test the dye did not extend beyond his neck. They stated legally they had to perform these tests twice, 12 hours apart before being able to remove him from life support. His parents were upset at this because you could see swelling occurring and other changes that felt futile in the fact that he was declared brain dead. He was on multiple infusions, vasopressors, etc. Went into diabetes insipidous. It was horrendous to see. They donated his organs, and he saved at least 3 lives and that gives his family some comfort.

So having this personal experience (I was in the PICU with them the whole time) I CANNOT imagine trying to continue keeping a brain dead child on life support Obviously there is a lot of denial here but its just heartbreaking to think of the other children involved etc. It is horrible that these complications occurred after the surgery, but they need to let her go Very very sad. (Also, I find it hard to believe she isn't still on some infusions ... )