He wants to get on with his life? Let him get a divorce. She should not have to die just because he wants to move on, especially given that her parents want her around. Is it likely that she will recover? No. Is it possible? Maybe.
Before I got married, my fiance’s father collapsed and went into a coma. He was on life support with no sign of ever coming out for a week. The doctors talked to the family about pulling the plug as they gave him NO chance for ever waking up again. But before they decided to do so, he woke up, just like that.
A couple months ago, the father-in-law of the guy next to me at work went in for lung surgery. He got several infections thereafter and soon went into a pseudo-coma (not quite a coma, but close). At least two neurologists said there was no brain activity, he was a vegetable, and he would never wake up. It’s time to pull the plug. Before they could do so, he woke up, just like that.
Yes, both of these cases lasted significantly shorter than this woman’s. But the woman’s case is different in that she can, according to what you said, move her eyes, head, and mouth. So she’s not even unconscious. Starving a person to death is not pleasant…
This is the key issue. Is the husband lying? I don’t know. The article doesn’t mention divorce, so perhaps he simply could get a divorce if he wished, and he really is trying to follow her wishes.
Or he’s dirt and wants to save money on a divorce. Although I guess if money is the issue then the hospital bills might be more of a motive than the divorce costs.
I agree, there will be no easy answer on this one.
I may not recall this caseright, but here, I think the difference is that most of her brain has been liquified, and is no longer extant. She has just enough functionality to keep going.
Was there another article that said she can move her mouth and head?
Does this mean she has been receiving treatment for 12 years? Or does it mean that after 12 years they have decided to begin treatment?
In any event 12 years is a very long time. It’s an extremly difficult descision. I know I wouldn’t want to live like she does (if you can call it living). I’d have to side with the husband on this one. It would have been easier on all parties if she had a living will making her heath care wishes known.
AIUI, the husband has moved on with his life (for him, he lost his wife 12 years ago) and wants to get married. Her parents do not want to disconnect the feeding tube.
I don’t know who’s paying for her care, but I would suggest if it’s the husband he let the parents become the guardians and take over her medical care and that he divorce her.
IANAD, but I don’t know that disconnecting her feeding tube is the correct decision, though. That’s tantamount to starving to death, which will take several weeks and will not be pleasant. It’s not like turning off a respirator.
I hope the parents win the appeal. This is a horrible situation, but I do agree the husband should be allowed to move on with his life. I think the parents are holding out false hopes, but they should not starve her to death.
Question…does the feeding tube include a drinking tube? Would she die of thirst first?
Really makes you realize you must make your wishes known to your family.
If IV or tube feeding clear fluids are continued (and they are in most cases) the death will not be one of dehydration, but rather one of heart or kidney failure due to malnutrition (actually relatively painless in her condition). Dehydration, OTOH, is one of the cruelest deaths.
If I were in her situation, I would NOT want to be maintained on tube feedings. And I would not feel it to be an act of love by anyone who was trying to keep me alive.
But that’s just me. Make your wishes known, people!