Michael Schiavo's interview on Dateline last night

[Tekneek]

The interview I saw this morning didn't change my opinion of him. I still can't stand the guy.

He did a slip of the tongue this morning. When he was listing the people that rallied against him and got involved like the Pope, the Governor, the President he said "about my book", instead of "my wife" and then he corrected himself. I think that speaks volumes on what's really on his mind.

One thing is certain, science ruled out all the claims made by her family, religious entities, and the government. She was never getting better and all the things they wanted to believe about the state of her brain were fantasy. I don't care what his motivation is today. He was vindicated by the autopsy that revealed everyone that opposed him was out to lunch.

 

[Tekneek]

Thank you!!! My thoughts exactly!

Did he get involved with this other woman before the battle to end Terri's "life" began? I would say that is a very important thing to determine before accusing him of adultery. Once she should have been allowed to die, I'm not sure what else he was supposed to honor. The parents trying to hold onto their daughter was based on fantasy and has been proven to have no scientific basis. Their grief blinded them from the truth. I happen to think keeping her alive in that state for any longer was quite selfish of them.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Did he get involved with this other woman before the battle to end Terri's "life" began? I would say that is a very important thing to determine before accusing him of adultery.

Doesn't matter, in my opinion. But that's just me.

 

[Tekneek]

Doesn't matter, in my opinion. But that's just me.

He has seemed to have a much better grip on reality than her family did all along. Even when presented with the evidence from the autopsy, they didn't want to believe that either. They've been lined up against medical science at every step of the process and denied the truth. I find that to be much more concerning than a man becoming involved with another woman once he knows his wife will never ever recover and has no concious life as we know it.

 

[yeartolate]

Heck, even when confronted with the autopsy results, (Doctor)Senator Frist did not even want to ackowledge scientific fact.

Sadly, this case should have been about medical fact, Terri and her legal next of Kin. What it became was a cruel manipulation of our government. I have a tough time forgiving our elected officials (Dem and Republican) for getting involved as they did.

 

[Deb in IA]

I agree with tekneek and yeartolate.

Terri, the person, the human being, the spirit, the soul, was gone, and never, ever coming back.
A person is more than a heartbeat.

 

[GoldenGate]

So many lauded Michael Schiavo for not talking to the press while his wife's parents did. Apparently, he just wanted to write a book. Saint Michael made a business decision. So who's going to buy it-- the book I mean, not his story?

Her parents have a book published also.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Someone mentioned having only the spouse being able to have a say in medical treatment or DNR orders - what happens when a couple is not on good terms. Who know what the estranged spouse might do.

Also as a parent - I would want some voice in my childs medical care even if they are adults! I can see Terry's parents side of this even though I believe that her husband did the right thing. It was a difficult decision.

 

[YourMajesty]

Did he get involved with this other woman before the battle to end Terri's "life" began? I would say that is a very important thing to determine before accusing him of adultery. Once she should have been allowed to die, I'm not sure what else he was supposed to honor. The parents trying to hold onto their daughter was based on fantasy and has been proven to have no scientific basis. Their grief blinded them from the truth. I happen to think keeping her alive in that state for any longer was quite selfish of them.

I think the problem is that he used the "in sickness and in health" to explain why he couldn't turn her over to her parents even after she was gone; however, on the other hand he didn't need to honor the rest of his vows.....after all she was gone....it's hypocritical to me.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think the problem is that he used the "in sickness and in health" to explain why he couldn't turn her over to her parents even after the she was gone; however, one the other hand he didn't need to honor the rest of his vows.....after all she was gone....it's hypocritical to me.

Yeah, what you said.

 

[yeartolate]

Someone mentioned having only the spouse being able to have a say in medical treatment or DNR orders - what happens when a couple is not on good terms. Who know what the estranged spouse might do.

More of a reason for a living will.

Reasonably, it is not like a spouse could come up and say "take my wife off of life support" and have that be the be all end all action. It has to be medically advisable to do so. For example, an otherwise healthy young woman has a head injury and is currently comatose on a ventilator. The doctor has reason to believe that she will awaken and have quality of life. The husband says "take her off and allow her to die". That doctor will not abide by those wishes unless there was a legal declaration beforehand to that effect.

Again, all these "what ifs" are what makes the need for a living will crucial.

 

[yeartolate]

I think the problem is that he used the "in sickness and in health" to explain why he couldn't turn her over to her parents even after the she was gone; however, one the other hand he didn't need to honor the rest of his vows.....after all she was gone....it's hypocritical to me.

You cannot look at that in an isolated way. MS was attacked nationwide on a daily basis over the issue. Medical science and the law was on Micheal's side. Even when time and time again he was vindicated, they still attacked him in a nationwide manner. Granted, I think it would have been a compassionate gesture on his part, but look at the situation as a whole rather than one isolated event.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I wouldn't want my mother having any say in my end of life decision... She made it quite clear during the CS case,that she could never remove a feeding tube from someone,even if it was what I wanted.
Of course I have prectically shouted from the rooftops*remove my feeding tube*,so it should never become an issue

 

[JoiseyMom]

I think the problem is that he used the "in sickness and in health" to explain why he couldn't turn her over to her parents even after she was gone; however, on the other hand he didn't need to honor the rest of his vows.....after all she was gone....it's hypocritical to me.

It isn't at all. His wife was gone, and never coming back. He wanted to honor her and be there for her. Was he supposed to forget that he is a man, and instead live like a monk?? I don't know about any of you, but I would have no problems with my spouse going out and having his physical and emotinal needs met. I know that my dh feels the same for me. He stood by her. He didn't get invovled for 5 years with his current wife. And he didn't go from women to women, he had a relationship with her. He also didn't marry her the second Terri was dead, he waited months. He did nothing wrong at all.

 

[bsnyder]

I wouldn't want my mother having any say in my end of life decision... She made it quite clear during the CS case,that she could never remove a feeding tube from someone,even if it was what I wanted.
Of course I have prectically shouted from the rooftops*remove my feeding tube*,so it should never become an issue

Shouting from the rooftops won't gaurantee that it will never become an issue. You should have it in writing, and appoint a health surrogate you feel confident will abide by your wishes.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Shouting from the rooftops won't gaurantee that it will never become an issue. You should have it in writing, and appoint a health surrogate you feel confident will abide by your wishes.

I've done all of that of course... I've been doing and redoing my AD/Living will since my diagnosis 15 years ago

 

[bsnyder]

I've done all of that of course... I've been doing and redoing my AD/Living will since my diagnosis 15 years ago

Good, then shouting from the rooftops is redundant and unnecessary.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Good, then shouting from the rooftops is redundant and unnecessary.

Legally necessary? No..But it may make thinks much smoother and less stressful for everyone involved to know my wishes feeling, rather that having surprise, anger etc, from the family members who won't agree with all of my end of life choices..

 

[Tekneek]

I think the problem is that he used the "in sickness and in health" to explain why he couldn't turn her over to her parents even after she was gone; however, on the other hand he didn't need to honor the rest of his vows.....after all she was gone....it's hypocritical to me.

It has to be a tough situation. I wouldn't dare to presume what it is like to be in the middle of that and be attacked by your in-laws everyday. Fulfilling her wish to not be kept alive in that state is hardly a reason to attack him, even if he didn't otherwise do things quite the way the rest of us would have.