I was told that the rule was "3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes" for survival.

[DireStrike]

You can survive around 3 weeks without food.

You can survive around 3 days without water.

You can survive around 3 minutes without air.

Mrs. Schiavo has now been without food or water for 11 days, or so they keep telling us. I was under the impression that she should have succumbed to dehydration by now. What's the deal? Was I misinformed? Is Mrs. Schiavo actually receiving some sort of nourishment? Or, is her body simply using far less resources in its vegetative state?

[Walt Starr]

1. That assumes a normal metabolic rate

Somebody in a persistent vegetative state does not burn the calories or require the same level of traspiration as a person with a standard metabolic rate.

[DireStrike]

3. So is this, then, more evidence that she is indeed in a deeply vegetative

state?

[Walt Starr]

5. It's conclusive evidence that she is in a state where her metabolic and

transpiration rates are far lower than that or a normal active healthy individual.

[Worst Username Ever]

2. I was taught the rule of 4's...

Just like you said, but change it to 4. Per my EMT instructor, anyway. That assumes the individual is a healthy, and active. Being comatose changes things a bit.

[MindPilot]

4. I guess starving an anorexic is like

drowning a fish.

[DireStrike]

6. Ouch, that's a little cold.

Plus I'm pretty sure that she will die of dehydration before dying of starvation.

[Midlodemocrat]

7. My sister-in-law survived for seven weeks after her tube was pulled

She had end stage cancer and the tube was pulled actually to prolong her life because the feeding was causing accelerated breakdown of her organs.

She did occasionally have a small spoonful of yogurt, once every few days, but really she was more determined to survive because she was leaving behind a beautiful baby girl.

The human spirit is an amazing thing. She survived 10 months longer than the doctors thought she would. This from the medical professionals at Sloan-Kettering, a renowned cancer hospital.

[gasperc]

10. If this goes on for seven weeks, the nation will snap

this is a tragedy of incalulable proportions

[Midlodemocrat]

13. I know. That is what concerns me.

Admittedly, my situation was different, because my SIL was not in a PVS, she was dying of cancer and looking to prolong her life to be with her baby. But, even the doctors were amazed that she lived as long as she did.

One thing to note though, even with full mental faculties. She never suffered. She was calm and peaceful and not for one minute in additional pain from the tube being pulled. Something to be grateful for, I guess.

[Throckmorton]

14. Same here for Mrs Throckmorton

April had end stage esophageal cancer, which had involved her stomach and small intestines. In an effort to reduce her discomfort, everything but IV fluids were halted 6 weeks prior to her death.

In our case, she was leaving behind a 7 year old daughter and a 9 year old son.

[Midlodemocrat]

17. Oh, I am so sorry for your loss!

How awful for your children. I bet you are a great dad.

In our case, my little niece was too young to remember her mom, something that still makes me weep because my SIL was so excited about being a mom and she was robbed of the opportunity.

[patcox2]

8. It varies greatly with environment, temperature, stuff like that.

I believe the record for water is more like 8 days. But in a hot dry environment, it cuold be 2.

[zbdent]

9. You know, according to her father, she's been on her "last hours"

since Friday morning, right?

And it was only Sunday that they gave her the "last rites".

Hmmm.

[China_cat]

11. Sunday's last rites were the

SECOND time she had been given them. They were administered when the tube was removed also.

[zbdent]

12. So the first time was the "Next-to-last rites"

hmm

[China_cat]

18. Last rites is actually a misnomer

The actual ritual is "Anointing of the Sick". It's not only for those who are at the point of death, but for anyone who is seriously ill, including mental or spiritual illness. A prayer for healing and comfort, not meant to say 'you're toast'.

[megatherium]

19. Is this what is referred to as "extreme unction"?

Or is that term obsolete?

[China_cat]

21. yes and yes

Second Vatican council decided to bring the rite back to its original meaning.

[RPM]

15. the spirit of gawd and jeebus have sustained an nourished her

:eyes:

[Auntie Bush]

16. Most people are very sick...their body in poor condition...

and are at deaths door when they pull the tube or refuse to insert one. Terri's body was very healthy when when they stopped hydration so she should live a lot longer than most patients. She uses moisture from her body and blood supply and that was well hydrated before hand. I wouldn't be surprised :shrug: if they didn't super hydrate her to the max knowing the tube was soon to be removed...but I'm not a Dr.!

[Divameow77]

20. I read somewhere

the drugs they are giving her are in fluids and so she is receiving fluids in that sense. I assume it's not an IV though.