Feeding tube treatment for Sharon

[DoYouEverWonder]

1 February 2006

Doctors have inserted a feeding tube into the stomach of Israeli PM Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since surgery for his stroke on 4 January.

Doctors said the latest procedure - carried out under general anaesthetic - was successful.

Israeli TV has reported "positive signs" in that Mr Sharon, 77, responded to commands to move his eyes and a hand. He remains critical but stable.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4671940.stm

[boobooday]

1. Wait, has Dr. Frist seen the video yet?

I'm sure Sharon could benefit from his expert video-diagnostic skills . . .

[kurth]

7. Dr. Frist is consulting with Dr. DeLay and Dr. Bush

[saigon68]

19. Maybe that can exhibit him like P.T. Barnum did for Joe Joe the dog faced

Boy

[napi21]

2. I never agreed with Sharon's politics, but I feel sorry for him now.

He seemed like a very strong willed guy who would NEVER want to be kept alive like this!!!!

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. It's definitely a crappy way to go

n/t

[w8liftinglady]

8. Really...this is what i work with every day.

It rarely has a good outcome-incontinence,bedsores,and pneumonia.Sad way for such a robust man to go.Number one reason you should all have living wills.

[yorkiemommie1]

9. i have one

read somewhere the pro-'life' people have their eyes on living wills too.

[w8liftinglady]

13. I have a lot of patients who go home with them,too

just when you put the big picture together...not a good outcome.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. The unfortunate part

is that modern technology can keep these patients alive for a very long time.

Sort of sucks when you let humans play god. When it's time to go, it's time to go.

[ismnotwasm]

15. I worked in a nursing home for 11 years.

And I agree.
I had a patient with Huntington's Chorea who ended up a curled up little ball in bed, you couln't touch him without him experiencing pain. He had a wife who was absolutely devoted to him, thank God
I had an elderly patient who's only word was "die" I kid you not.
I've seen appropriate uses for feeding tubes, had a patient who was very high funtioning and happy, but was definetly the exception.

I have a personal friend right now on a vent and a feeding tube. He's 44 now I believe. (40 when it happened)He was an alcoholic, and withdrew from ETOH too fast. Coded on the street, paramedics brought him back without a funtioning cerebral cortex. Despite this, and because of pain and confusion, his parents choose the to continue the vent and place the feeding tube. He's bedsore ridden and contracted in all his limbs, chronic urinary track infecitons. Pneumonia or sepsis will eventually take him out, I'm not sure why he's still alive, maybe his relative youth.

Living will for sure, it can happen to anybody.

[cmd]

20. That's why I have one

and I still think I ought to get a DNR tattoo on my breast.

[TomInTib]

4. Generalissimo Francisco Franco redux

"And this in from Spain...."

[Endangered Specie]

5. Pull the plug already...

save some of that juice for people who really need it.

[stop the bleeding]

6. Frist - where are you? n/t

[Auntie Bush]

11. Maybe Terry Schiavo's parents can go give his family some advice.

Or better yet, send, Jeb,George and the whole F****** Rethug Representatives.

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. Bush could issue an executive order

to keep him alive.

[MiniMe]

14. They will keep him alive until the elections

I think I read that if he dies, elections have to take place within 30 days.

[Malikshah]

16. OK.. where's the "Christ on the Trailer hitch" ...C'mon you schiavo freaks

Wheel it on out. It'll go over like a fart in a spacesuit, but don't forget Jesus died so you can HATE us. :)

[kath]

17. Oh, yeah, c'mon! I'd love to see Jeebus on a Trailer Hitch again!

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Since Jews don't believe in Jesus

maybe it should be Abraham on a trailer hitch instead?

[Malikshah]

22. Nah-- Pat Robertson & Co. will want to make sure that all is well

so they can forcibly convert to their version of Christianity

[SoCalDem]

21. Today I hear that it's "unlikely" that he will "wake up"...ever

I was never a fan of his, but damn it must suck to be the most powerful man in your country and you still can;t get competent medical care.. I don;t understand why they didn;t admit him to the hospital at first.. It's almost as if someone deliberately "undertreated" him..

His family must be really upset..