Now They Want to Take Morphine from Terri Schiavo

As I mentioned, the people who often decide they can decide how others will live and die also argue against ANY compassionate measures given to patients to ease their death.

And today, the drumbeat against Terri Schiavo getting morphone grows louder and louder, from the father suggesting in a CNN interview the hospice will try to kill her with an overdose to protestors saying they're only trying to"dope" Mrs. Schiavo so she can "speak as vocally as she can", and others suggesting they're just trying to "put her down like an animal."

I for one was very relieved to hear she was receiving small amounts of morphine (there's a lot of contention now on whether she has received a few small doses by injection or a constant drip - the latter is less likely considering other factors). But it appalls me that people outside who argue that removal of the feeding tube was a "Nazi atrocity" want to keep this from her and even question if the staff would try to kill her.

I've worked with dozens of patients in different hospice situations (both at home and inpatient facilities) and I have to say that you have to be committed and very caring to be part of hospice. Nothing gets candy-coated for the staff. This suggestion today was really beyond the pall.

I AM pleased the husband has asked for a full autopsy when she does pass; I have no doubt that people so divorced from reality that they've done what they've done so far will make even worse comments once the poor woman has died. I expect the family will file a wrongful death suit against both the hospice and the husband and at least medical evidence that her care was appropriate given the guardian's wishes will help in court.