Doctors debate Schiavo's condition (situation not unique as press makes

it out to be)



http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/03/25/schiavo.doctors.ap/index.html

Doctors debate Schiavo's condition

Friday, March 25, 2005 Posted: 7:58 AM EST (1258 GMT)

(AP) -- An affidavit filed this week that questions whether Terri Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state is not the first time that diagnosis has been challenged in court. But the last time doctors fought it out in front of a judge, the diagnosis was upheld.

The issue arose again this week when a neurologist, Dr. William Cheshire of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, said in a court document that he believed it's more likely that Schiavo is in a "minimally conscious state."

In a persistent vegetative state, a person is awake but not aware of himself or his environment, and making only reflex movements. In a minimally conscious state, a person's behavior shows inconsistent but reproducible signs of consciousness. For example, a patient can occasionally follow simple commands -- scratch his nose if it itches -- or try to use an object such as a comb correctly.

The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville said in a statement that Cheshire, at the request of the state of Florida, observed Schiavo at her bedside and reviewed her medical history but did not conduct an extensive examination of her.

She is BRAIN DEAD!!!!

:headbang:
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