About Terri

I was ignoring this rightwing extremist manipulation for headlines until I read Rev. Robert Johansen's piece on NRO, or Rev. Rob, as he calls himself on Quo Vadis his website.

The wrong Reverend Rob claims that due to Terri not having physical therapy "The result is that Terri suffers from severe muscle contractures, which have caused her body to become contorted. Physical therapy could remedy this, but husband Michael has refused to provide it." First of all PT would consist of someone moving and flexing the limbs for Terri, and massages. Regardless of how well this PT is carried out, over a period of years the limbs will contract. There's only so much flexing and rubbing therapists can do for someone who has remained inert for 14 years. Diet, lung oxygenation from natural exercise, blood flow and life are required to keep the muscles from atrophy and contracture. Use it or lose it. Any physician on a hospice or nursing home staff could order PT for Terri; it's not up to Michael to refuse to provide it. Her hospice care is free but should provide basic therapies for paralytic patients.

Rev. Rob goes on stating "Terri has also suffered from what many professionals would regard as neglect. She had to have several teeth extracted last year because of severe decay. This decay was caused by a lack of basic dental hygiene, such as tooth-brushing. She also developed decubitus (skin) ulcers on her buttocks and thighs. These ulcers can be prevented by a simple regimen of regular turning: a basic nursing task that any certified nurse aide can perform."

Sigh, inflammatory hyperbole. Again, patients in this condition will eventually lose their dentition. The bone and gums must be used, chewing, gripping, grinding, tearing of food, in order to remain healthy. The bone and gums the teeth set in will deteriorate if not used. The oral bacterial composition of someone like Terri will be abnormally different than you or me as we grub our way through years of meals and snacks. The best toothbrush and paste will not save the teeth unless the gums and bone are healthy. Use it or lose it.

As for the bed sores Rev. Rob knows nothing. Bed sores are common among those who have been debilitated for years. They involve more than simply turning the patient over every few hours. Circulation Rev. Rob circulation. Again, you can turn people every few hours, flex the limbs and rub them, but ulcers develop. You can put the patient on a rotisserie but they will eventually develop decubitus sores. Even Christopher Reeves died of infection related to bed sores and we can be sure he had the best of care.

Rev. Rob says "Terri's diagnosis was arrived at without the benefit of testing that most neurologists would consider standard for diagnosing PVS. One such test is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)." She has had CAT scans, which for someone in her state will show the brain clearly. Many patients rely on CATs because of metal in the cranium and cannot undergo MRIs. Rev. Rob is really reaching with this one. For every physician he can find who claims Terri must have an MRI there is another who will claim the CAT is sufficient. All one is looking for is normal healthy brain tissue, or lack thereof, which can be seen on CATs. I've looked at more than a few to know.

Rev. Rob goes on to condemn Michael Schiavo, members of the medical profession, and a judge with conspiracy to commit murder, more or less. Rev. Rob claims on his blog "The things that are most important to me are: finding and knowing the Truth." Truth is Rob you're approaching 100 pounds overweight (add 100 lbs per extra chin), not honoring God's temple of the body are we? and you're a shill jumping for 15 minutes on some of the ugliest republican political tripe. The good Reverend also says "Some random things I like: Books written by Dead White Guys." Let's hope he knows Jesus was not a white guy.

I support giving patients like Terri to their family. Why haven't the parents taken Terri home? I would if she were my daughter. Let the government pick up the tab for setting up and equipping an in-home system in a bedroom down the hall from mom and dad or family member. Let the government pick up the tab for the VNA to give scheduled visits and checkups. But let the family do the 24/7 year round therapy, cleaning, caring, turning, massaging, brushing. No doubt the Schindler's would announce in less than six months that Terri died peacefully in her sleep.