Hearing Set In Battle Over Teen's Life Support

[Turner]

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A court hearing was set for Monday in the ongoing battle over whether to remove a teenage boy from life support.

The University of Kansas Medical Center is requesting the court dismiss a restraining order that the boy's mother obtained, preventing doctors from taking Michael Todd, 14, off life support.

Wyandotte County District Judge Muriel Harris set the hearing after meeting with lawyers for the hospital and Cecelia Cole on Wednesday.

Cole's son was declared brain-dead after being shot at a Blue Springs, Mo., apartment last week.

Police said a witness told them a rifle accidentally fired a slug into Todd's neck.

Todd remains in the intensive care unit at KU Medical Center.

The hospital has asked the court to declare the boy dead.

Cole disputes the hospital's conclusion that her son is brain-dead, insisting that he had shown signs of life. She wants an independent neurosurgeon to examine her son and perform diagnostic tests.

"I want to thank the judge for giving us some more time so we can find another doctor to look at this case, which is all I wanted in the beginning," Cole said.

KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported that a local neurosurgeon has agreed to examine Todd and that an attorney is also stepping up to help the family.

"If (the outside opinion) affirms the findings of KU Medical Center, the family is fine with that. If not, they will continue to fight," family representative Octavia Southall said.

Mahoney reported that the Cole family claims that another relative was on life support for three weeks before fully recovering, but that happened a decade ago and cannot be confirmed.

Source. I heard on the radio that the doctors at KU Med told the mother and family that he was brain dead, and the doctor had other doctors to confirm it. They said they needed time to think about it, and to pray over it. Supposedly, the doctor replied "Don't waste your time praying, god doesn't exist in this century." This of course upset the family. They feel they are getting pushed into turning off the life support, and are trying to get another neurosurgeon to come in for a second opinion. KU Med had two or three other doctors confirm the first doctor's diagnosis.

I have been unable to confirm the 'God doesn't exist in this country" remark, but the local radio is saying that the doctor did indeed say that.

 

[Inqvisitor]

The worthless trash at that hospital better hope they don't win that court case or else everyone involved becomes guilty of murder...

 

[~Corsair#01~]

If he's brain dead, he should just be allowed to exit properly. The remark was pretty tasteless though.

 

[silver 2039]

"Don't waste your time praying, god doesn't exist in this century."

Hahah...so true...so true. If all these docters have confirmed it, he is most likley brain dead. There is however no harm in getting another opnion I suppose as long as they're willing to pay the medical bills. At any rate if he is indeed brain dead they should pull the plug for such an existence is cruel and pointless.

 

[bhsup]

I'm rather shocked to hear of this about the KU Medical Center. It's one of the premier hosiptals in the entire midwest region, if not the nation.

 

[El_Machinae]

Well, a couple neuroscientists should be able to figure things out quickly enough. The science of 'brain dead' is pretty good these days. The parents should look into cryogenics if they think the brain is still viable, but the body won't heal anytime soon.

 

[Turner]

I'm rather shocked to hear of this about the KU Medical Center. It's one of the premier hosiptals in the entire midwest region, if not the nation.

Oh, don't even get me started on KUMed.

I swear, if I was in a life and death situation, and I was right in front of KUMed, I would find another hospital.

Premier my heinie.

 

[Zwelgje]

Well, a couple neuroscientists should be able to figure things out quickly enough. The science of 'brain dead' is pretty good these days. The parents should look into cryogenics if they think the brain is still viable, but the body won't heal anytime soon.

In case of braindead the body usually is fine, it's the brain that's not, hence the name braindead...

If the doctor really made the God doesn't exist remark, he's a moron. Although I think he's right, he should still respect the religious beliefs of the family. Why would he want to rush this? It's not like that the kid is going anywhere.

 

[Perfection]

Well, a couple neuroscientists should be able to figure things out quickly enough. The science of 'brain dead' is pretty good these days. The parents should look into cryogenics if they think the brain is still viable, but the body won't heal anytime soon.

cryogenics wouldn't work with brain dead patients, silly.

I think everything important has een said;
The kid is gone
The doctor is tasteless

As to who gets to decide when to terminate a brain dead patient. I don't particularly care.

 

[Turner]

And that's what really pissed the family off. That's almost word for word what the Aunt said, about respecting other's beliefs.

I've seen the doctors at KUMed. Arrogant bunch, they are.

 

[El_Machinae]

In case of braindead the body usually is fine, it's the brain that's not, hence the name braindead...

Ah, sorry. For me, the brain is part of the body.

To rephrase: if they think that the brain still contains the essence of their son (which is why they don't want life-support pulled), and that the brain will not heal on its own, they should look into cryonics (not cryogenics, which is similar, but not the same)

 

[bhsup]

Premier my heinie.

Wow. Okay, well I certainly won't try to tell you that you're wrong if you've had personal experiences that have given you that view. All I can go by is my family's (extended admittedly, but still family) experiences. They have been beyond extraordinary.

 

[Turner]

Not being sarcastic, but good for you.

We had a horrible experience there. Nice to know that someone had a good one.

 

[Zwelgje]

Ah, sorry. For me, the brain is part of the body.

I should have said 'brain' and 'rest of the body', I too consider the brain part of the body.

 

[Perfection]

To rephrase: if they think that the brain still contains the essence of their son (which is why they don't want life-support pulled), and that the brain will not heal on its own, they should look into cryonics (not cryogenics, which is similar, but not the same)

Well given the fact that the brain is dead I don't see how they could hold that veiw.

 

[De Lorimier]

Another modern American tale. A teen kills himself with a gun he shouldn't have been handling in the first place. Then religion takes the floor. His death was tragic while the aftermath is pathetic.

 

[El_Machinae]

Well given the fact that the brain is dead I don't see how they could hold that veiw.

Well "braindead" means different things to different people. The important parts of the brain might still retain their neural structure, and are thus worth preserving - since the mind is still repairable, just damaged.

For example, the parts of the brain that keep the body alive are separate from the parts that contain the "Me and my memories and personality".

The neuroscientists will be able to determine what's still functioning and what isn't. If the 'important' bits are still alive, and the parts keeping the rest of the body aren't, then cryonics is an option. If the 'important bits' are ruined, then it doesn't matter.

 

[Brian_B]

I see no big problems. The family just wants a second opinion from a doctor they find on their own. Assuming the boy had no living will (which is probably a safe assumption) it seems perfectly reasonable that his family and not the hospital make the call in terms of life support.

 

[Perfection]

Well "braindead" means different things to different people. The important parts of the brain might still retain their neural structure, and are thus worth preserving - since the mind is still repairable, just damaged.

I think a few hours without oxygen will pretty much ruin any nueral structure

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I find it a little hard to believe the God comment. Even if the doctor believes it he would know better than to say it to the family. Some jobs require that you keep your opinions on religion to yourself.

And I have no problem with the family getting a second opinion, if they are paying for it. Especially if they agree with the second opinion. Sure, it is best to let the kid die with dignity, but if they want to make absolutely sure he isn't beyond saving, then let them.