The Story of Jahi Continues

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 4, 2015

I'm amazed at the ability of some people to continue following a story forever. You must have an amazing attention span. Wow.

My thoughts exactly. There hasn't been any real break in this case for over a year. I'm also surprised she's held out as long as she has, but the family will do whatever they're gonna do. For people who ask why they can't move on, maybe the question should be--why can't YOU?

NurseQT · Jan 5, 2015

Scaredsilly-- I was referring to Jahi's mom stating in the article that Jahi is now able to give a "thumbs up"....

I don't think that Jahi is actually doing this, nor do I think she ever will. I know that she passed away over a year ago. I would just love to see this supposed thumbs up.

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2015

I got 're-interested' when the updates started coming in in October, and then I read the lively conversations going on here. I was surprised the kid was still 'alive' after all the gruesome predictions that did not come true (in the dramatic fashion they were given). Then I wondered what was up with nurses here condemning the family and what basis there was for that. It doesn't take much to entertain me I'm afraid.

There's so much MORE to this, on so many other levels than the obvious ones. I'd put money down that ethicists will be 'interested' in this case for years to come.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2015

Scaredsilly-- I was referring to Jahi's mom stating in the article that Jahi is now able to give a "thumbs up"....
I don't think that Jahi is actually doing this, nor do I think she ever will. I know that she passed away over a year ago. I would just love to see this supposed thumbs up.

Yeah, I realized that I misread you. I apologize.

MelissaC71 · Jan 5, 2015

All you wanted to know about the Jahi McMath case. I have followed this blog extensively and they have all the facts and legal ins and outs on there as well.

Trials & Tribulations: Jahi McMath: Alive Again?

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2015

I'm amazed at the ability of some people to continue following a story forever. You must have an amazing attention span. Wow.

My thoughts exactly. There hasn't been any real break in this case for over a year. I'm also surprised she's held out as long as she has, but the family will do whatever they're gonna do. For people who ask why they can't move on, maybe the question should be--why can't YOU?

Actually, there have been many interesting developments recently, particularly with regard to the family making legal maneuvers to have their child declared "alive" and all the implications which come with that. It's not anyone's place to tell members here that there is something wrong with their interest in this case. As long as the mods allow the thread to continue, it is just fine for people to discuss as they wish. No one is forced to follow this thread. If others are bored by the perceived lack of developments, they certainly don't have to read about it.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2015

To Esme12;
For the record I'm not claiming 'proof', honestly I'm not. I want to know the facts, too, and don't personally claim I have any, we all have the same material. As for the misuse of words like ALWAYS, NEVER etc, if I used those words I retract them! I am 100% on board with that angle :) If I used those words it was done carelessly and appreciate it being pointed out. Absolutes are in the mind, not on the ground or in the facts.
Thanks for quoting Dr Shewmon and explaining his background. There certainly is a context here that I was unaware of, a semi-religious one to boot. Apparently he is as 'mainstream' as the International Brain Institute docs. I was aware this group was 'radical' and unrecognized. I was not aware of Dr Shewmon's background, so his sworn testimony has taken a big hit in my mind. The trouble with these radical types is how they exploit emotions, which are naturally HIGH in Jahi's case, easily exploited. I resent that.
I've been on board with that all along as well. Function is on a continuum, from 'stuff kind of works' to physiologic. I assumed that was implied. I've tried to be careful with my wording, in hopes of communicating that I am not insisting Jahi is alive and functioning and all that brain death stuff is wrong. If anything, my original question was about 'evidence' as it were about the family's behavior and the extreme negative emotionalism of some members here. It's my own fault for getting distracted and put on the spot as if I were defending Jahi's family and lawyer. I honestly am not. If Jahi were my daughter she'd be buried and I'd have decorated her grave on the 12th of December. It's been my opinion from my first hearing about this case until now.
My original concern was what looked like vicious personal attacks on the family made by nurses. And what if any information was available to backing those up. I got the answer to that pages ago -- Instagram, tweets, blogs, and opinion pieces. Going on and on as I have about the particulars of brain death has been educational if nothing else. What I've learned backs up my previous conclusion, that whatever 'life' Jahi is being forced to 'live' because of her family's wishes is not what I would do. It's not what I would support in any way as a professional or as a person. I am very clear about 'miracles' and in my 23 years have seen exactly one :) (a young woman's Burkitt's lymphoma, stage four, resistant to chemo and radiation, 'vanished' after she did some homeopathic/naturopathic thing when the doc sent her home on hospice).
To JustBeachy:
Makes perfect sense to explain Jahi's 'menses' and god alone knows what she's getting in her Gtube. Thank you for that. Your last paragraph resonates with how I've looked at this whole mess. I am pretty horrified at the lengths this family has gone, but as a nurse live in a different world of facts and evidence-based interventions, whereas Jahi's mother et al don't live in a medically informed universe. The media up-plays 'miracles' (organ transplants being my biggest pet peeve), hospitals and corporations advertise your stage 4 lung cancer will be cured, just call for a free consult with our slick an' greasy salesperson I mean 'clinician'. I know how people think, I've sat by a patient waiting for him to code because the family sees a DNR as 'abandoning' their loved one, refusing to 'give them a chance'. I called the code and bagged him while the family literally freaked the hell out, as if he weren't dying for weeks in front of them. The whole hospital knew this was a 'slow code'. Actually, I've done this twice.
I can't outright condemn Jahi's family. I was wondering what made condemning this family an obvious thing to other nurses.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response and taking the time to consider others thoughts. I am crazy when forming an opinion and I look at all the new "evidence" that comes out about Jahi and qualifying that information.

The results of this very public case is going to have an impact on DNR and withdrawal of care....and organ donation for that matter. I watch this whole circus closely.

I don't know what motivates Jahi's family.

For the Mom....I think it is blinding grief. I am also willing to bet that somewhere in the beginning someone from the hospital staff (resident/MD/nurse) discussed this in a less than apologetic attitude and communications shut off from that point.

It might be guilt for there have been reports that they gave her a hamburger and that the grandmother was blindly suctioning her throat.

It could be greed for the Uncle has been less than ethical at times and the posting of Micheal Khors bags and expensive wine and food isn't helpful.

I think nurses out of frustration for poor Jahi are trying to cope with these feelings by lashing out at the family for they truly are the masters of this show right now. I also think that being a little frank if not harsh, helps us deal with our feelings at the sad outcome for this little girl.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2015

I disagree that the mother is motivated by 'blinding grief'. Maybe at first, before she got all 5 opinions it was denial and grief, but now I think it's guilt and money. The Kors bags, travel, awards by the less than ethical Shiavo foundation, are motivating factors. uncle likes being in the spotlight, and he is trying to use his "I'm Jahi's uncle" fame to break into show business now.

The whole thing disgusts me, I feel so sorry for her live children!!

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2015

All you wanted to know about the Jahi McMath case. I have followed this blog extensively and they have all the facts and legal ins and outs on there as well.
Trials & Tribulations: Jahi McMath: Alive Again?

Thanks loads for this link :) There's some good critical thinking going on here, and allnurses.com was quoted for someone's on the spot MRI reading :)

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2015

You might like this link as well, but be aware that some of the foreign Drs credentials are shady.

ThaddeusPope.com

And this Dr really tells it like it is.

Stories from the trauma bay: Jahi McMath - Here we go again

RNIBCLC · Jan 10, 2015

I'm amazed at the ability of some people to continue following a story forever. You must have an amazing attention span. Wow.

And yet here your are ðŸ˜‰

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2015

I lost a patient this week. Both personally and clinically my feelings were of over whelming relief for the patient. It had been a long road and the last weeks were incredibly painful anxiety fuels and a struggle. The patient suffered, I was able to impliment nursing interventions to relieve my patients pain and anxiety. I was able to speak with the family to advise them that while their loved one was a fighter, it was becoming apparent their loved ones body was shutting down and the end could possibly be imminent.

Their loved one passed away about 36 hours later. I stressed on it because I thought 'crap did I do the right thing? Would they have prefered not to know?" as one does in those circumstances. I chose to attend this persons funeral, the welcomes and hugs from the family assured me that I'd done my best by them.

I could not work in this situation, providing nursing care for a young lady who is in all essence only being kept alive by mechanical means which is those means were withdrawn that death would occur quickly.

I dont know if its a characteristic of the user pays health system in the US, however in NZ, care is provided when there is some potential benefits for the patient. Keeping someone in an ICU indefinately would not be allowed to happen and I am unsure whether there would be any other care availiable for someone on a permanent vent. LTC facilities would not be able to provide indefinate respiratory support like this.

Its one of those things I find incredibly empowering about palliative care. Its not about necessarily hastening death (euthanasia) but helping the patient and family to have a good death in the circumstances of their choosing if possible.