Reply #21: This particular paragraph left me speechless [View All]

[CornField]

Court guardians concluded that Terri was cared for extremely well, but her condition still led to numerous complications and hospitalizations. She suffered from bile stones and kidney stones, according to court papers, and had to have her gallbladder removed. She has ''drop foot,'' where her foot twists downward, and the ensuing pressure resulted in the amputation of her left little toe. She frequently developed urinary tract infections, diarrhea and vaginitis. Several cysts were removed from her neck. Several times, her feeding tube got infected.

The one time I decided I should actually pursue a career with my degree, I worked with Alzheimer's patients. I was prepared for many things, but not the sores of the bedridden. Everytime I've seen a photograph of Terri, I've wondered how many bed sores she has developed over 15 years. How many of them became infected?

I didn't fully consider the consequences of being ridgid and in bed for 15 years -- the kidney stones, the gall bladder, the cysts, the infections.

I'm thankful so much of her ability to know her surroundings is gone -- the pain associated with someone moving her at this stage would be unbearable.