Starving Terri

Imagine not drinking and eating for twenty four hours. Which would get you first – hunger or thirst? After Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed last Friday, she has neither been given nutrition nor water for the past six days. Imagine not drinking and eating for six days. Imagine seeing your loved one in this condition slowly withering away. All you can do is watch and wait. Is that mercy or cruelty?

Read all about the fight to save Terri at the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation.

Related entries:
A Mother’s Plea
Life And Death: Who Can Decide?

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

11 thoughts on “Starving Terri”

  1. I have not officially introduced myself to everyone who checks my brother’s blog. Yes…I am Peter’s younger sister (for real).

    I have read thru some of the words of encouragement written here. I am thankful that he’s got such a supportive group of friends. I am embarassed to say that ever since I left to work in Kuala Lumpur in 1997, we have not really kept in close contact. Being the newcomer to the workforce, I was swamped by the demands of a busy life.

    Strangely reading your blog has allowed me to understand you more than all those years we have been siblings (sigh).

    Knowing that you have accepted Jesus was the best news. Dear brother, just want to let you know that if you ever do need a kidney, you can have mine. I asked myself, what good is it to me to have 2 kidneys and lose my brother?

    I am posting this here so the others will hold me accountable for my promise if ever the need arises. Of course, there is always the hope of a miraculous healing. That I do not doubt for I have seen with my own eyes.

    One request, will you let me know of the next Blogger’s Meeting? It would be nice to meet all your blog pals.

    Till then, know that Joshua and myself prays for you each morning for your healing and spiritual wellbeing.

  2. Hi Peter
    I just checked PPS (was down earlier) and am a bit embarassed to see that I have a different view from yours. Since we blogged about almost the same thing but of different views, thought I should owned up. You about your mom and I believed at one point in your life, you have the same helpless feeling and hence able to understand the patient’s feeling more. Whilst, I had to face this life and death question for my son, Vincent.

    Never mind, I just hope you understand and won’t be too hard on me, ok? I am damn scared of you, mate. *shivers*

    And I am touched to see your sis’s posting. Praise the Lord that blogs do bring people closer.

    Hi Jenny, I am Peter’s church member and hope to see you around one of these days at mass!

    God bless and Happy Easter to all!

    P/S : I put the URL of my opposing views here.

  3. Jenny,
    It would be premature to speculate that I many need a kidney transplant. As it is, my current condition does not even warrant that I go on dialysis. It would have been more worthwhile to direct your effort towards getting Dad’s wishes fulfilled, that is if the documents produced were genuine.

    Lilian,
    There is nothing wrong in having opposing views. However I must point out that the Vatican had issued a statement condemning the removal of Terri’s feeding tube. Euthanasia in any form is wrong.

    You should not be scared of or fear anything except the wrath of God. I am just another human trying hard to follow God’s ways. There is no need to be scared of me.

    Have a Blessed Easter.

    Lainie,
    Yes, it is real sad to see that one human can have the heart to starve another to a slow death.

  4. It’s difficult to even comment on Terri’s case. I can only pray that we may never have to make such a decision.

    Have a blessed Easter, Peter.

  5. James,
    Now we can only pray that Terri will be delivered from her suffering soon.

    Have a Blessed Easter.

  6. Lilian,
    My husband and I live in KL but we come back once in a while. It will be nice to visit your church. This May we will be back for a wedding dinner, I will make arrangement with my brother then.

    Big Bro,
    I’ll call you when we are coming home. If you can make some arrangement (ie, directions, time of service etc) we’d like to join you for a sunday service.

  7. Jenny,
    Yeah, give me a call when you are back. I usually attend the Sunday Mass at 10.00am.

  8. Hey.. Peter.. 🙂
    I just wanna let you know.. that i’m still stalking you . 😉
    And hope that all is well with you .. 🙂
    My offer still stands.. 🙂

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