By Jim

July 6, 2006 7:38 AM | Link to this

I believe the most difficult part of living in a vegetative state could be the possible situation of having thoughts continue.

To lay in a bed, unable to communicate, and yet be aware of surroundings and not be able to interact with it would be a torment no one would want to live through.

I live an active life and am usually on the go. When the weather is bad and I remain inside for a few days, I get cabin fever. The need to get outside and on the go becomes stronger the longer I remain indoors.

I’ve often wondered how I would mentally cope if I was stuck in a bed for a prolonged period of time.

For me, if I ever end up in a vegetative state, I hope my care givers have the compassion to allow me to pass on.

I do not want to burden them because I care about them but I also do not want to suffer the torment that might be in store for me if they extend my life.

Jim

By Eric

July 6, 2006 8:11 AM | Link to this

I have no problem if a person wants to be kept alive. I have no problem if a person disignates that in a living will and the family keeps them alive.

What I DO have a problem with is somebody, ANYBODY telling me what I have to do when that time comes! When that decision is made I want the church, distant relatives, news media and ESPECIALLY the freakin’ US government to stay out of my and my loved one’s lives.

My thoughts and prayers to the Smith family and the choice they have made, but that choice should be no one’s business.

There will be a special place in Hell for GW Bush and his cronies for interfering in the Shaivo case.

By Deborah Lee

July 6, 2006 8:35 AM | Link to this

My husband and I were talking about what he or I would do if this happened to us. He reminded me that if we PULLED THE PLUG ON HIM that that would be the end of his pension. He said that he would not want the plug pulled because he would want to suck the life out of the company that he worked for for 30 years like they did to him. For many people it would be the end of a much needed social security check that supports children until they are 18. Every situation is different. Kathy knows what is best for Chris and her family.Personally for me when I become Schiavo’d, since I do not have a pension, social security or a church PULL THE PLUG!

By Dianne Armistead

July 6, 2006 8:44 AM | Link to this

Did the Smith’s really have a choice? Apparently when he came off of the respirator he did not die. They are really lucky he can be at home. My husband has Alzheimers Disease and Parkinsons Disease and is in a nursing home. I could no longer take care of him at home; therefore, I had no other choice but to do what I did. I have to work everyday to support myself. It is hard watching him deteriorate everyday, but I don’t have a choice. I am committed to doing everything in my power to make his life as comfortable as I can. Don’t be so eager to judge people until you have walked in their shoes.

By Scooby

July 6, 2006 8:49 AM | Link to this

Someone always has to bash President Bush

By Michael H. Smith

July 6, 2006 8:51 AM | Link to this

People tend to talk about the choice of pulling tubes or ceasing all medically procedures nonchalantly. Well it isn’t so easy when you really have to do that deed. Again people tend to define life differently, especially when they are dying. What is worse is this failure misrepresented in the term “kept alive�, as though it has some omnipresent human obligation to continue no matter what. There is a real difference between prolonging life to that of prolonging torture for the sake of being kept from dying. I’ve lived through the differences in my family, both them. So I’m not speaking condemningly only objectively.

I tried to choose my words carefully in response to Tuesday’s column. Hopefully this reposted link explains why I encouraged Mrs. Smith. There is an apparent difference between being in a persistent vegetative state to that of a minimally conscious state.

Docs: Comatose Man’s Brain Rewired Itself

By Mary

July 6, 2006 9:00 AM | Link to this

I agree that every individual should have the right to request what they would want in this type of situation - but if it comes down to the actual event i think several persons would have a change of heart. For me at this moment I would want the plug to be pulled. But please wait until I am a size 4.

By Pamela

July 6, 2006 9:34 AM | Link to this

My prayers are with the Smith family

By Toad

July 6, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

Mr. Smith’s case seems different than Terri Schiavo’s since his wife has stated that he can hear and listens to books on tape. I think it is wonderful that Mrs. Smith and Caitlin are taking care of him and following his wishes. He is getting to see his daughter grow up. Most importantly even though he doesn’t have a living will he expressed his wishes to his wife and she is fulfilling his decision. For those of you who wouldn’t want to live this way, you don’t really know until it happens to you. To the poster who said “I’m always on the go” please realize that being disabled is still better than death. (I’m talking still able to think even if you’re immobile.)

By time for the truth

July 6, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

@ Eric

That was a pretty brainless remark about Bush. Although I do agree that the smug religious crowd’s rather shrill, stupid intervention in the Schiavo case was both nauseating and shameless. Making political/religious points at the expense of someone who was kept alive so pointlessly and artificially was utterly contemptible. But this case was a pretty extreme and thankfully rare example of ultra religious catholics imposing their will in an utterly hopeless situation.

They’re doing the same thing to General Ariel Sharon (PBUH) without the tiniest bit of hope he will ever recover. Though that was at, least initially, clearly for political reasons.

Mr Smith clearly deserves a decent shot at recovery, and hopefully he’ll recover soon, although its hardly something that any of us should start pontificating on.

Its funny how so many (particularly religious) folks seem to want to impose their own moral yardsticks on others in these matters. But clearly there is a fine balance between keeping folks alive and letting them go. Doctors usually - but not always - make better informed dispassionate decisions/recommendations than many of us can. Its like abortion, there simply is NO definitive answer that will ever satisfy everyone.

By Grandma

July 6, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

Doctors who say “there is no chance” have been known to be wrong, so there is a thin line here. I don’t want to live in a vegetative state, but I want every possible treatment to be exhausted before they “pull the plug”. Especially if I have many years ahead of me. If I’m 80, and have had a good life, let me go. If I’m 57 (and I am), give me all of my chances first. Don’t take the first doctor’s word as gospel.

By Eric

July 6, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

Bush and the government passed a bill that only related to the Shaivo case… it was blatant, unconstitutional abuse of power just to placate the religious right. I’m not a Bush basher (I pretty much think ALL politicians are liars and about 80% are pure scum) but in this case Bush and everyone involved in that mess deserves ANY bashing they get.

By Grandma

July 6, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

There is a time and a place for politician bashing, and this is not it. The discussion is whether or not to pull the plug. The Schiavo case is over with, and the government is not involved with the Smith case. Take it to D.C., but this is not the place.

By Bruce Wilcox

July 6, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Mr. Smith the article you linked to pointed out it took over twenty years for the gentleman to regain some brain functions. The article went on to say, “Right now these cases are like winning the lottery,”. I do not play the lottery, the odds in your favor are not that great. I hope Chris Smith is one of the few lucky ones.

To quote you, “Well it isn’t so easy when you really have to do that deed.”. Ah, that is the point of having a legal Living Will, the choice has already been made.

I hope all that commented have a legal Living Will, this is the most important issue in this discussion. The choice is made by you and takes the burden off loved ones.

By Bruce Wilcox

July 6, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Sorry Grandma but this is the perfect place to raise the politic’s of it. If the government did not get involved we would have never known about Terri Schiavo and this discussion wouldn’t be taking place. And I agree with Eric on the issue.

By Eric

July 6, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this

It is EXACTLY the time and place to discuss politics… THAT is what made the Shaivo case such a mess. Politicians stuck their nose in a place it didn’t belong. It seems MOST of you don’t care abou personal choice, liberty and freedom… but I do… and I DON’T want anyone telling me when I can live or die… that is up to me and my maker.

By Cletus Snow

July 6, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Today is the day to make your wishes known if you have not already done so.I’m sure that none of us wish to be another Schiavo,If she had made her wishes known in a living will it would have solved the problem. BUSH DID THE RIGHT THING SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE LONG BEFORE IT DID.The bottom line is if you don’t want that to happen to you ,MAKE A WILL And include your wishes.Do it now you wont be able to whine when the time comes.

By Michael H. Smith

July 6, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Mr. Wilcox from all that has been written it appears Chris Smith could avoid death for “many years comfortably�. His family is very clear about his wishes and is solidly behind him. He may well turn out being MCS. But had Chris Smith’s desires been the opposite and on paper, can you honestly tell me from all that has been said that Kathy and Caitlin would feel relieved of a burden in his death? No need to answer Kathy, I heard you all the way across the internet – Like Hell!

A Living Will serves to keep government out of our family business and perhaps keeps a greedy spouse from getting an insurance check.

If my mother had the good fortune of living many years comfortably our choice would have been different about letting her die. You bet we would have continued playing that lottery. In fact if she were alive today, had time not run out, we would probably have hit the jackpot. There is now a vaccine for the very cancer that brought her death. Time had simply run out on us and her. We couldn’t cheat death but we did cheat uncontrollable pain and though we did right in our hearts, in our consciences and true to her wishes I can tell you the “burden of that decision� will never be lifted. No paper will ever change that fact.

By LB

July 6, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

I agree with Kathy in her choice. As long as someone is breathing and responding in any way how do we know God is not communicating to that person? As long as someone can still breathe there has to be some brain activity to keep the person going.

I still thing Terri Schiavo had hope because her brain, no matter how damaged, was still working. The possibility of a communication between Terri and God was still great.

Just because someone doesn’t think or function like most people is not an open door to dominate that person. My hat’s off to Kathy. I am a Christian and I will also add my prayers.

By Eric

July 6, 2006 1:02 PM | Link to this

For Shiavo, letting nature take its course was REMOVING the feeding tube.

Terri Shiavo’s brain was NOT working.

Make a living will and durable power of attorney. When my Grandmother passed, even WITH a living will and my mother having durable power of attorney, the Doctors tried to talk my mother out of removing the tube (according to my Grandmother’s wishes) even though they had already told us and a second opinion confirmed that she would never recover.

Bottom line, don’t take chances and let the morons and fools in Washington control your life.

By Toad

July 6, 2006 1:50 PM | Link to this

My uncle had a similar experience to Eric’s mother. My aunt had severe Alzheimer’s and had signed a do not resuscitate statement. When her systems failed and the nurses tried to resuscitate her and my uncle objected, they said “You don’t want your wife to die do you?” He had to be strong enough to insist that they follow her DNR orders.

By Kathy

July 6, 2006 3:02 PM | Link to this

Toad- That is awful that they would do that given her wishes.

My father died when I was 10. He had lung cancer and died of pneumonia 3 months after diagnosis. He was also a DNR and died peacefully with my mother by his side. After that my mother and I talked at length about her wishes NOT to be kept alive if in a vegetative state and to have a DNR if she became terminally ill. Well, unfortunately our greatest fear came true and she too was diagnosed with terminal lung and liver cancer. Within days of her diagnosis she slipped into a coma due to the effects of the liver not working properly. The doctor called me, before I had had a chance to fly up to NH to see her, and asked me what I wanted to do if her systems failed. He was not optimistic she would make it through the night. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but I told him DO NOT RESUSITATE! Although I wasn’t ready to say good-bye I knew it was what she wanted. She didn’t want to be brought back only to suffer as the cancer plagued her body. Fortunately she recovered from the coma and we had 4 more months with her. It is not easy to be the one to say DNR or “pull the plug” but if you know in your heart that is what the person wants it’s the right thing to do. Mrs. Smith knows what her husband wanted and she is doing it. It might not be what I want but I respect her choice. I also respect those who do not wish to live in that state. It is a personal choice and should be left that way. Although, those who suggested having the Living Will are right. It is the only way to assure you will get what you want.

By Jesse's Girl

July 6, 2006 3:03 PM | Link to this

My husband has expressed on numerous occasions that he does not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state. He has also voiced his opinion on “going out” the way he sees fit should a fatal illness take hold. I love my husband and we both have an abiding faith in The Lord. And as such, we just pray that whatever road He sees fit for us to travel….we travel it with grace and dignity. Dignity is my husband’s concern, I think. He does not want to be a burden. He wants to be a strong provider and protector. I would like to think that in this most difficult and trying of situations that I would be able to comply with his wishes. But truthfully…I just don’t know. I would like to think that selflessness would prevail over selfishness….but I cannot say that with any certainty. I do know that a living will is the absolute only way to secure your wishes…your rights even. Mr. Smith’s case is one that has not occured to me. He needs no life support, very little medication, and is aware of his surroundings. His wife’s choice to honor her commitment is one I believe I would also make. My husband has joked that he should be given a month to linger. If nothing improves and the prognosis is a vegetative one….he wants to be replanted. I laugh with him, yet I know I must abide by his living will. A choice I hope I never have to make. Mrs. Smith…..you and your family are most defintely in our prayers. May God’s grace and mercy live abundantly in your home and your life. Many blessings from our house to your’s.

By Jo

July 6, 2006 3:09 PM | Link to this

Me, personally, I’d rather be dead than a breathing lump of useless meat. Oh, I’ve heard all the naiively idealistic platitudes, like “all life is sacred & precious” but there’s a difference between life & meaningless existance. I’d never be so selfish as to keep my near & dear ones chained to taking care of me indefinately like that

By Bruce Wilcox

July 6, 2006 3:18 PM | Link to this

Toad the same thing happned to me with my father, they had him on one drug to keep his heart going, another to slow it down. He requested that I get a do not resuscitate order, I did. That night he had another attack and they had to resuscitate by law, the doctor was too busy to sign the orders. I had that situation quickly corrected and he passed a few days later peacefully. So Mr. Smith there is no need to remind us that, “I can tell you the “burden of that decisionâ€? will never be lifted. No paper will ever change that fact.”, I believe most of us have had that brush with the death of a loved one and their wishes should be honored.

By Michael H. Smith

July 6, 2006 3:47 PM | Link to this

If you don’t like my answer Mr. Wilcox that’s fine but the implication in, “takes the burden off loved ones�, just hit me the wrong way.

No differently than people who talk about being Christian, God and being humane that will readily euthanizes a dying dog to end the poor creature’s suffering, yet for showing the same mercy to a human being they find it unconscionable. It astounds me.

By Gollygee

July 6, 2006 4:27 PM | Link to this

Jo - “I’d rather be dead than a breathing lump of useless meat”. Seems a little heartless to respond like that to such a sensitive subject. Mrs. Smith didn’t have to share her story; let’s at least be respectful enough to share our opinions without being ugly - life’s hard enough for her as it is.

I would never want to be in a situation where I had to make a decision whether to end the life of my loved one, or to let nature take its course without doing what comes naturally to all of us-buy more time. And though I could say “I’d do what they wanted, even if that meant ‘pulling the plug’ or telling a doctor DNR”, truth be told-You never know until you are in that situation exactly what you will do.

As long as there’s life, there’s always hope. God’s abilities have no limits. God bless you, Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

By Joe

July 6, 2006 4:36 PM | Link to this

Some things are easier said than done. My mother in law is living in the advanced stages of Alzheimers disease. She and her children watched her own mother go through this disease for years before she finally died. The children have a no resuscitation clause on my mother in law if she has a heart attack or some similar infliction where the doctors are not to intervene and allow her to die. This is easy in theory, not so easy in real life. She recently had a heart attack at a family gathering and all three of her children were in a panic until the EMS arrived and took her to the hospital. She lived through the heart attack. I saw the fears in the eyes of her children, they were not able to allow her to die. Again, its easier said then done. Chris, Kathy and Catilin, you are in my prayers and I am sure the prayers of many others.

By Chad

July 6, 2006 4:43 PM | Link to this

I’d like to be kept alive, as long as I don’t have to look at my dumb mug on cnn.com, msnbc.com, msn.com, aol.com, ajc.com, abcnews.com, yahoo.com, nytimes.com, one of them dot pictures of my dumb mug on wsj.com, espn.com, and wherever else they’d put my picture to force me down the throats of the public when nobody cares.

By Michael H. Smith

July 6, 2006 5:01 PM | Link to this

The Smith’s have my respect and understanding. Should Kathy ever reach the point when she feels – speaking in the spiritual sense – God is calling Chris home, I don’t think she will stand in the way and refuse to allow his departure painful as that will be.

You’re right Joe it is easy talk about. But when you have to do it is tough and I can’t say it ever gets any easier for a family to live with afterwards no matter what. Sometimes modern medicine is just smart enough to keep you alive for weeks, months or years of enhanced suffering.

By Like that is going to work

July 6, 2006 8:11 PM | Link to this

If the lights aren’t coming on, pull the plug.

By Hope

July 6, 2006 8:15 PM | Link to this

To “Like that is going to work”…

Like that is going to work!

By Jan

July 7, 2006 7:54 AM | Link to this

When there is faith and love, there is hope.

By katie

July 7, 2006 8:31 AM | Link to this

To Pull the Plug or Not.. This should be a family or individual choice. Politicians and bible thumpers should not be concerned with someones choice to die and should butt out of it. The tax payers should also not have to pay for someones decision to remain on life support.

By Matt

July 7, 2006 9:09 AM | Link to this

I decided at 16 that I would not want to be kept on life support. I know that some may feel that is too young to make such a decision, but after watching a handful of friends in the situation and the pain it caused the family, I knew it was what I wanted. I have talked to my family about it, but 8 years later and nothing is “official”. I hope they respect my wishes should something happen.

By Bruce Wilcox

July 7, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

Matt, you can make it offical with a Living Will. It’s easy to do and your wishes will have to be honored. A Living Will is not a complete will, it only has to do with medical treatment, so price wise it’s cheap if not free.

By Toad

July 7, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

You can go to this link that explains Living Wills and contains a sample that you can fill in and sign. It is from the Georgia Department of Human Resources, so it is the legal form. All you have to do is have two persons not related to you witness it. Then make sure your family members and doctors have copies.

http://aging.dhr.georgia.gov/DHR-DAS/DHR-DAS_Publications/LivingWill.pdf

By Dave

July 7, 2006 3:29 PM | Link to this

Note to Eric:

You be careful with your mouth boy. Evidently you do have some religious training or you would not use the word hell for someone in political office. That being said, “you will be judged just like your are judging.” Good luck, you will need all YOU can get.

As for MRS Smith I am for her all the way. She has laid out her plan in accordance with what she feels her husband wants, and by golly, she is not backing down. Personally I think a living will is the way to go, because without one you are in the hands of your next of kin. I made my own decision about my life or death situation when it is my turn, and we all get a turn, in one way or another, but evidently Chris Smith did not take the time to think through the living will opportunity. I highly recommend all readers do the living will as soon as possible and help your loved ones in case you meet your demise sooner than you, or they, expected.