Comments on: Terminal Sedation: What it is, and what it is not http://www.bloggernews.net/122138 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:06:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Nancy Reyes http://www.bloggernews.net/122138#comment-1406248 Nancy Reyes Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:45:24 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122138#comment-1406248 The "average" life span for those unable to swallow is six months, and Sciavo lived ten years. As for Barium swallow: it has limited use in evaluating a person's ability to swallow after a feeding rehab program. A feeding rehabilitation program strengthens the swallowing muscles so feeding per mouth could be done. I worked with the mentally challenged with cerebral palsy, and believe me, a tube is easier than feeding slowly and carefully..which is why most tubes are put into people, even though they can eat. and yes, it would be less controversial for her to die of pneumonia than to have her slowly starve to death over 14 days. The “average” life span for those unable to swallow is six months, and Sciavo lived ten years.

As for Barium swallow: it has limited use in evaluating a person’s ability to swallow after a feeding rehab program.

A feeding rehabilitation program strengthens the swallowing muscles so feeding per mouth could be done.

I worked with the mentally challenged with cerebral palsy, and believe me, a tube is easier than feeding slowly and carefully..which is why most tubes are put into people, even though they can eat.

and yes, it would be less controversial for her to die of pneumonia than to have her slowly starve to death over 14 days.

]]> By: Bill http://www.bloggernews.net/122138#comment-1404498 Bill Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:03:48 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/122138#comment-1404498 Schiavo had at least 3 barium swallowing tests that all showed she could not swallow, according to the final guardian ad litem's report. At one point after those tests family members attempted to feed her baby food but were stopped by the facility staff. Though I'm sure it would have been less controversial for her to have aspirated, developed pneumonia, and have died from being fed orally rather than what did happen. Schiavo had at least 3 barium swallowing tests that all showed she could not swallow, according to the final guardian ad litem’s report.

At one point after those tests family members attempted to feed her baby food but were stopped by the facility staff.

Though I’m sure it would have been less controversial for her to have aspirated, developed pneumonia, and have died from being fed orally rather than what did happen.

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