(From Crystal Clear):
I got this from Cheryl Ford, RN, at Terri'sFight.org, early last year.
Statement By Michael Schiavo - from Tampa Bay Online Last Wednesday, my wife's feeding tube was removed. For over 6 years, I have struggled with the Schindlers in court. On Wednesday, I joined them in grief. I understand what the Schindlers are going through at this time. I feel the same loss.
For years after this happened to Terri, I tried desperately to find a cure for her. I went from one doctor to another. Almost all of them told me there was no possibility she would recover.
FACT - 05/20/1990 ---DR. NEWHART-- The brain cells that control body function were not as seriously affected as initially diagnosed Consequently, it is anticipated that Terri should regain full use of her body.FACT - 06/27/1990 ---- DR. BARAS-- had been seen by me at College Harbor and started to make improvement. Started to show some vocalization where she will say "no" and occasionally has some voluntary movement on command of eyes and mouth as reported by husband and mother.FACT - 06-28-1990 --- DR. THACKER Moaning type vocalizations initially; no sign of excess secretions requiring frequent suctioning; intermittently swallows, probably swallows her saliva without any trouble.FACT -- 07-10-1990 ---- DR. BARAS --Purposeful movement in right upper extremity as seen by P.T. O.T. and me Flexing right elbow not as a reflex, but voluntarily.FACT-- 08/25/1990 DISCHARGE SUMMARY FROM BAYFRONT MEDICAL. Patient did show some improvement in range of motion.FACT -- 01/01/1991 PHYSICAL THERAPY EVAL---Turns head from noxious stimuli.FACT -- 01/29/1991---- DR. ALCAZARAN --Meadowbrok California. Noted increased alertness, turns head toward voice, turns head from tactile stimulation. sucking, and rooting response to olfactory stimulation. spontaneously vocalied. Good cough. Some visual tracking. FACT- - 02-1/1991 ---Physical Therapy Notes -- Alert throughout treatment session, responds to pain, moaning, turns head from noxious stimuli.FACT-- 02/15/1991 --- PSYCHOLOGY NOTES WRITTEN BY PATTI SHOOK ---Terri's eye opening responses were her strongest. Terri's tactile responses were her best, with other four modalities only 1 to 2 points behind. This level of functioning is appropriate for a sensory stimulation program.FACT-- 02/1/1992--THERAPEUTIC NOTES BY SHERRI LAGE --Patient appeared to focus on several pictures of family for 10 seconds, appeared to slightly track to left each session, but inconsistent Quick startle response to all auditory stimuli, occasionally moves head from tactile stimuli.FACT -- 02/20/1991-- PHYSICAL THERAPY NOTES -- Patient has made significant gains since admission in all areas of range of motion.FACT -- 03/19/1991--- SPEECH LANGUAGE NOTES -- Occasionally responds to request to verbalize, swallow and move arms.FACT -- 06/17/1991 --- TREATMENT PLAN REVIEW -- Vocalizing when prone in PT., occasionally will say "stop" to nurse doing procedures.
Any doctor that gave me a glimmer of hope that some new treatment or therapy would work was given free reign with Terri. I would do anything to make her well.
FACT-- 3/26/1991 ---Nurses Notes--- Terri's side rail on her bed found down after Michael left. When told about it, he replied that "that was their job.FACT -- 1993 CAROLYN JOHNSON-- No therapy per husbands orders. Dr's orders over ridden. Patient kept in isolation, no stimulation.FACT-- APRIL 1995-JULY 1996 -- CARLA SAUER AFFIDAVIT MICHAEL ORDERS NO REHAB; NO RANGE OF MOTION;NO NOTHING. PATIENT ALERT AND ORIENTED, SPOKE REGULARLY "MOMMA, "MOMMY' "HELP ME"
I took Terri to California. I stayed with her while doctors performed an experimental procedure to implant electrodes in her brain to stimulate its function. I spent months working with her - hopeful of a cure. Months later, the doctors told me the electrodes were not working.
I took Terri to Mediplex, in Bradenton, Florida, which is a residential rehabilitation facility that specializes in brain injuries. She spent months there in intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy and testing.
Finally, the doctors and therapist told me and the Schindlers they could do nothing more for her. I hired a private duty aide 8 hours a day to take Terri on outings to parks and museums trying to stimulate her - looking for any sign of life, any flicker of hope. There was none - ever.
FACT 03/15/1991 Therapeutic notes Laura Mizell -- Patient has displayed an increase in eye opening since last 30 day summary, Patient responses to auditory stimulation are at the point that they are almost auditorily defensive. During recent outings, rugby games kept eyes closed to and from game...beach visit she was more aroused.
FACT 03/11/1991 Summary of all departments--- 2 point increases in vocalization and eye opening, motor responses. Tactile increased 3 points. Overall her general responsiveness score increased slightly from 19 to 23.
Over the years, I had three swallowing tests performed on Terri in the hope that some of the therapies would allow her to be weaned off the feeding tube. The test all showed no change, and I was advised she could not swallow food. Even now, the nursing home staff says that sometimes Terri gags and chokes on the moisture from the swabs they use to moisten her lips.
FACT--March to mid summer 1997 -- Heidi Law Affidavit -- Patient did not like the taste of the teeth cleaning swabs or mouthwash. Did like the smell and feel of her lotion. Liked to have her hair combed. Did not like being tucked in. She would suck on ice chips and swallow ice water, orange juice or apple juice in her washcloth to give her something nice to taste, which made her happy. On three or four occasions, I personally fed Terri small amounts of Jello which she was able to swallow and enjoyed immensely.
Michael Schiavo states....."The reports you heard from nursing home aides that Terri was responsive years ago are not true. I would give anything if they were."
EXCERPTS THAT WERE TAKEN FROM MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S JOURNAL4/16/1991 -- BECAME EVERY EXCITED, CRIED, FACIAL EXPRESSION, TEARS, WHINING.4/17/1991 -- SITTING IN A CHAIR, HOLDING LEGS TOGETHER, HOLDING HER OWN HEAD UP, RESPONSE TO EVERY NOISE SHE HEARS, TASTED EXTRACTS, SWALLOWED. MIXED UP DAYS AND NIGHTS4/25/1991 MS TALKING TO HER, SHE THEN LIFTED HEAD OFF AND AWAY FROM CHAIR. I ASKED HER IS SHE WANTED TO GET UP. SHE NODDED. I ASKED HER A MINUTE LATER, SHE DID THE SAME MOTION.4/26/1991 JOHN (NURSE) SAYS EVERY TIME HE IS HERE TERRI SQUEEZES HIS HAND WHEN ASKED.5/1/1991 - LAST FEW DAYS TERRI HAS BECOME A LITTLE MORE ALERT. SHE WILL MOVE HER HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WHEN OUT IN WHEELCHAIR, SHE WILL HOLD HER OWN HEAD UP FOR THE PERIOD SHE IS OUT. STILL MIXES UP DAYS AND NIGHTS.5/2/1991- ASLEEP, SEEMS TO DO A LOT OF DREAMING, HEAD WILL MOVE BACK AND FORTH, TOES, LEGS,ARMS,FINGER, ETC WILL DO ALOT OF MOVING. TERRI DOES REAL WELL WITH HER EARLY MORNING STROLL.SHE WILL HOLD HER OWN HEAD UP (UNLESS SHE FALLS ASLEEP) SHE WILL WATCH ALL THE NURSES DO THEIR THING.
1992 Aug - Terri awarded $250,000 in malpractice settlement.Nov - Terri awarded $1.4 million in malpractice trial.Nov - Michael Schiavo awarded $600,000 in malpractice trial.
1993Feb - Michael Schiavo denies Terri recommended rehabilitation treatment.
