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March 25, 2005
More on Eating Disorders: Terri Schiavo's and Others'
Many readers have commented on my post about the discomfort I feel about lack of discussion about Terri Schiavo's bulimia. Many readers criticized my criticism of Michael Schiavo, arguing that it's very hard to help people with eating-disorders.
Point taken. Eating-disorders very tough illnesses. I'll readily concede the possibility Michael Schiavo did all he could before Terri collapsed.
That would make it even more incumbent upon him to speak out as much as possible now, given the unfortunate spotlight. He could speak about how hard it is to reach someone in the grip of this illness. He could try to warn all the young woman out there who could drop brain-dead any moment. Her situation has apparently prompted a boom in living-wills; I wish it would also prompt a will-to-live among all the women who may have skipped or thrown-up their breakfast, lunch, or dinner this very day.
There are conflicting reports about her environment, but it's clear that Terri Schiavo had a serious issue with her body, the body that has now been cut off from all food and water:
Terri never said anything about her weight, but her mother always sensed it bothered her."She cried a lot when she went to get clothes," Mrs. Schindler says.
...
By a year later, Terri had gained back some of the weight she had lost since high school. Meyer says Terri told her that Schiavo had seen her high school graduation picture and warned her "if she ever got fat like that again he'd divorce her."
"I said, 'He's probably kidding,"' she says. "But it was upsetting to her."
Scott Schiavo, Michael's brother, says it was the Schindlers who rode Terri about her weight. He says her brother sometimes showed one of Terri's old driver's licenses for a laugh.
Terri Schiavo was 110 pounds when she died, down from 200. She was throwing up what she ate. She was trying to surive only on liquids. She had stopped menstruating. Hers is the true face of "success" you see in all those diet ads that tout how people can lose dramatic amounts of weight "and keep it off."
Posted by zeynep at March 25, 2005 02:53 PM
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» Terri Schiavo's Bulimia and how it never made the agenda from LEFT WING NATION
Under the Same Sun Blog sheds some light on the eating disorder of Terry Schiavo, and how Michael Schiavo and the Schindlers hardly mentioned it. Read about it here, here and here.... [Read More]
Tracked on April 3, 2005 02:51 AM
Comments
Just a reminder.
10 times more people are obese than too skinny.
Obesity is the #2 preventable cause of death in America.
Anorexia and bulimia are diseases, more generally, of the less poor. Not to mention the victims are generally more photogenic.
Stories on fat people? Rarely in our establishment press do they do more than print the % of obese nationwide.
Posted by: Josh Narins at March 29, 2005 03:11 PM
you dont have any source for your quote about michael saying he would divorce her if she got fat.
Posted by: donniebrasco at March 31, 2005 12:21 PM
Ooops, sorry. It's an AP story and one possible link is here: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/LAW/10/24/schiavo.profile.ap/
I'll update the post.
Posted by: Zeynep at April 1, 2005 08:37 AM
From: TED BOHNE [mailto:N96173@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 6:52 PM
To: 'lettertoed@thestar.ca'
Subject: Some things to think about
Now that the show is over, Terri Schindler is dead, and nothing left to see, there are a few things people including Mark Schiavo and George Greer need to reflect on. For me, the last five years some major historic events have occurred. Unfortunately, all bad. We’ve seen the election process finally defeated and a group of people with an insane ideology given the reigns of power in the US. We’ve seen two wars which are both still in progress despite what you don’t hear from the American Press which is clearly owned by major corporations who have no problem avoiding information the people of the US desperately need if they’re ever to steer this nation back to some semblance of civility, or just flat out lying. We’ve seen these “neocons” use every sort of deception, obfuscation and just flat out lying known to man, and few new ones as well. We’ve seen lives of people in the US, and in Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few, squandered as if valueless. No person with an IQ in the three digit range can possibly believe that Bush and crew raided Afghanistan and Iraq for any reason but oil, and now they’re up to their collective eyeballs in trouble. The lie hasn’t been conceived yet that will save their collective ass.
But despite all this debauchery, no where has the depth to which this country will stoop been more clearly demonstrated than with the case of Terri Schindler. Her former married name was Schiavo, but out of respect for her and her family I’ve chosen to refer to her by her maiden name. She’s dead now. Her case reached national, and even international attention. A young woman who allegedly suffered severe and permanent brain damage secondary to cardiac arrest, and resulting anoxia for to long. The brain is absolutely glucose and oxygen dependent. Brain damage begins to occur some six minutes without oxygen, and proceeds with staggering rapidity.
She suffered from Bulimia Nervosa, a malady that largely affects young women far more than young men. A disorder in which, as in this case, a young and strikingly beautiful woman believes she appears overweight and though eats sometimes large amounts of food, follows by “purging.” This is the act of vomiting, overuse of laxatives and such. The belief and fact being that the food will not be digested, and adipose tissue not added. The vomiting causes sometimes severe dental caries or destruction, and electrolyte disorders that can and have killed other young women who suffer from this disorder. It is in the class of disorders that Anorexia Nervosa is in.
She is said to have suffered cardiac arrest due to hypokalemia, or low blood potassium (kalium). Hers was said to be 2.0 milliequivalents per liter when 3.5 to 5.0 is the normal range. Now in my career, I’ve seen old men with such low levels of potassium, who, though not well, are still alive. Potassium and sodium are the two ions responsible for all cell membrane stability and function. Most importantly, cardiac muscle. Potassium chloride, either at high or very low levels will result in cardiac arrest. It is one of the drugs used by US prisons to execute people.
Ms. Schindler’s brain was damaged by the lack of oxygen. Some have used the phrase “Persistent Vegetative State” to describe Ms. Schindler’s level of consciousness. This group includes her former husband, some certified neurologists and most importantly, George Greer, the judge who stood fast on a decision that neither he nor Mark Schindler, nor the certified neurologists, in the last analysis could make with certainty. The State of Florida engaged the services of another board certified neurologist to access Ms. Schindler’s condition. In his write up, he disagreed sharply with the decision made by Mr. Schiavo and his entourage. There seemed to be documentation of a battery of STRUCTURAL tests done, but no functional tests. The most valuable of which would have been “Positron Emission Tomography.” The following URL might shed some light on what PET scans do that would have allowed Radiologists to determine what level, if any, Ms. Schindler was mentating at. http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/Biomedicine/LookingInsideTheBody/. So, at last, not a mother’s son out there had any definitive answer in terms of Ms. Schindler’s presence or absence of cognitive abilities, or conclusive data to make a definitive diagnosis, or, at last a definitive prognosis.
Ms. Schindler’s vegetative functions were intact. She maintained vital signs that were with normal limits without assistance. She had a Levine tube most likely, placed through her naval and into her stomach where, TPN, or total parenteral nutrition, or something like it was given in lieu of meals. Her parents, family, and nursing personnel stated she made appropriate gesticulations with her hands. They further said her eye movements were appropriate, and that she made efforts to articulate.
With these few things in mind, Ms. Schindler was at no time during her stay at the skilled nursing care center, in danger of death. She was not intubated to manage her airway. She was not being ventilated via respirator, nor were her other vital signs maintained by artificial means.
Further, despite Mr. Schiavo’s attorney’s referral to the feeding tube, as an “extraordinary feeding tube,” there is not a person in the field of medicine that will, without coercion or perhaps money, and lots of it, refer to a feeding tube as extraordinary.
There was no legal documentation of Ms. Schindler’s wishes should such a situation arise. Mr. Schiavo, at the time of Ms. Schindler’s death had already fathered two children with another woman. Clearly indicating he had moved on in his life as the Schindler family agreed he should do.
There are certain facts that must be considered though in this case. First, Mr. Schiavo should be investigated to fullest extent of the law to determine if malfeasance was in any way involved.
Second, despite George Greers rulings, Ms. Schindler was NOT IN DANGER OF DEATH, and her level of mentation WAS NOT KNOWN. It is also undeniable fact that a feeding tube does not constitute “extraordinary measures.” These facts being known, then it follows that Ms. Schindler was KILLED. She did not die without intervention. This puts this situation into an entirely new realm. George Greer and Company have unwittingly uncorked the EUTHANASIA bottle, and the genie is out, never to be rationally returned. It is also fact that starvation, despite Mr. Schiavo’s “physician” witness’s unbelievably inaccurate statement, is extremely painful as is the effect of dehydration.
This woman was killed. At very least, euthanasia has been accomplished in a hideous way, and at best a homicide which a competent attorney should investigate to determine the type.
I must say that I have nothing in common with Jeb Bush, and Tom Delay. I do believe, however that Governor Bush made a serious attempt to stop this event. I also believe Mr. Delay very well may cause the people responsible for Ms. Schindler’s death account for their actions.
An historic precedent was set on March 31st, at the unfortunate, and untimely death of Theresa Schindler. Many people, including myself have great reservations about this country, its values, and the direction it is enroute. If this case is allowed to drift quietly into the past, then this country, the United States of America isn’t worth one thin dime.
Something Mr. Schiavo might consider is the fact that countless people around the country and around the world have seen his face splashed all over news papers, magazines, and television screens. Many of them disagree violently with his actions. He will likely need to keep a watch Now that the show is over, Terri Schindler is dead, and nothing left to see, there are a few things people including Mark Schiavo and George Greer need to reflect on. For me, the last five years some major historic events have occurred. Unfortunately, all bad. We’ve seen the election process finally defeated and a group of people with an insane ideology given the reigns of power in the US. We’ve seen two wars which are both still in progress despite what you don’t hear from the American Press which is clearly owned by major corporations who have no problem avoiding information the people of the US desperately need if they’re ever to steer this nation back to some semblance of civility, or just flat out lying. We’ve seen these “neocons” use every sort of deception, obfuscation and just flat out lying known to man, and few new ones as well. We’ve seen lives of people in the US, and in Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few, squandered as if valueless. No person with an IQ in the three digit range can possibly believe that Bush and crew raided Afghanistan and Iraq for any reason but oil, and now they’re up to their collective eyeballs in trouble. The lie hasn’t been conceived yet that will save their collective ass.
But despite all this debauchery, no where has the depth to which this country will stoop been more clearly demonstrated than with the case of Terri Schindler. Her former married name was Schiavo, but out of respect for her and her family I’ve chosen to refer to her by her maiden name. She’s dead now. Her case reached national, and even international attention. A young woman who allegedly suffered severe and permanent brain damage secondary to cardiac arrest, and resulting cerebral anoxia. The brain is absolutely glucose and oxygen dependent. Brain damage begins to occur some six minutes without oxygen, and proceeds with staggering rapidity.
She suffered from Bulimia Nervosa, a malady that largely affects young women far more than young men. A disorder in which, as in this case, a young and strikingly beautiful woman believes she appears overweight and though eats sometimes large amounts of food, follows by “purging.” This is the act of vomiting, overuse of laxatives and such. The belief and fact being that the food will not be digested, and adipose tissue not added. The vomiting causes sometimes severe dental caries or destruction, and electrolyte disorders that can and have killed other young women who suffer from this disorder. It is in the class of disorders that Anorexia Nervosa is in.
She is said to have suffered cardiac arrest due to hypokalemia, or low blood potassium (kalium). Hers was said to be 2.0 milliequivalents per liter when 3.5 to 5.0 is the normal range. Now in my career, I’ve seen old men with such low levels of potassium, who, though not well, are still alive. Potassium and sodium are the two ions responsible for all cell membrane stability and function. Most importantly, cardiac muscle. Potassium chloride, either at high or very low levels will result in cardiac arrest. It is one of the drugs used by US prisons to execute people.
Ms. Schindler’s brain was damaged by the lack of oxygen. Some have used the phrase “Persistent Vegetative State” to describe Ms. Schindler’s level of consciousness. This group includes her former husband, some certified neurologists and most importantly, George Greer, the judge who stood fast on a decision that neither he nor Mark Schindler, nor the certified neurologists, in the last analysis could make with certainty. The State of Florida engaged the services of another board certified neurologist to access Ms. Schindler’s condition. In his write up, he disagreed sharply with the decision made by Mr. Schiavo and his entourage. There seemed to be documentation of a battery of STRUCTURAL tests done, but no functional tests. The most valuable of which would have been “Positron Emission Tomography.” The following URL might shed some light on what PET scans do that would have allowed Radiologists to determine what level, if any, Ms. Schindler was mentating at. http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/Biomedicine/LookingInsideTheBody/. So, at last, not a mother’s son out there had any definitive answer in terms of Ms. Schindler’s presence or absence of cognitive abilities.
Ms. Schindler’s vegetative functions were intact. She maintained vital signs that were with normal limits without assistance. She had a Levine tube most likely, placed through her naval and into her stomach where, TPN, or total parenteral nutrition, or something like it was given in lieu of meals. Her parents, family, and nursing personnel stated she made appropriate gesticulations with her hands. They further said her eye movements were appropriate, and that she made efforts to articulate.
With these few things in mind, Ms. Schindler was at no time during her stay at the skilled nursing care center, in danger of death. She was not intubated to manage her airway. She was not being ventilated via respirator, nor were her other vital signs maintained by artificial means.
Further, despite Mr. Schiavo’s attorney’s referral to the feeding tube, as an “extraordinary feeding tube,” there is not a person in the field of medicine that will, without coercion or perhaps money, and lots of it, refer to a feeding tube as extraordinary.
There was no legal documentation of Ms. Schindler’s wishes should such a situation arise. Mr. Schiavo, at the time of Ms. Schindler’s death had already fathered two children with another woman. Clearly indicating he had moved on in his life as the Schindler family agreed he should do.
There are certain facts that must be considered though in this case. First, Mr. Schiavo should be investigated to fullest extent of the law to determine if malfeasance was in any way involved.
Second, despite George Greers rulings, Ms. Schindler was NOT IN DANGER OF DEATH, and her level of mentation WAS NOT KNOWN. It is also undeniable fact that a feeding tube does not constitute “extraordinary measures.” These facts being known, then it follows that Ms. Schindler was KILLED. She did not die without intervention. This puts this situation into an entirely new realm. George Greer and Company have unwittingly uncorked the EUTHANASIA bottle, and the genie is out, never to be rationally returned. It is also fact that starvation, despite Mr. Schiavo’s “physician” witness’s unbelievably inaccurate statement, is extremely painful as is the effect of dehydration.
This woman was killed. At very least, euthanasia has been accomplished in a hideous way, and at best a homicide which a competent attorney should investigate to determine the type.
I must say that I have nothing in common with Jeb Bush, and Tom Delay. I do believe, however that Governor Bush made a serious attempt to stop this event. I also believe Mr. Delay very well may cause the people responsible for Ms. Schindler’s death account for their actions.
An historic precedent was set on March 31st, at the unfortunate, and untimely death of Theresa Schindler. Many people, including myself have great reservations about this country, its values, and the direction it is enroute. If this case is allowed to drift quietly into the past, then this country, the United States of America isn’t worth one thin dime.
Something Mr. Schiavo might consider is the fact that countless people around the country and around the world have seen his face splashed all over news papers, magazines, and television screens. Many of them disagree violently with his actions. He will likely need to keep a watch over his shoulder to avoid contact with such miscreants. Something else for the new Mrs. Schiavo. I suspect it would be wise for her to sleep with one eye open.
Posted by: tedbohne at April 2, 2005 11:17 PM