FROM: Barb S
Sept 2 @ 11:59 AM

Here is the information you requested. If there is anything else, just let me know.

Robert & Barbara (6 children)
Urbana, Ohio

Christopher – 4 children
Charles – 2 children
Joseph – 3 children
Jeff – 3 children
Deborah – 1 child
Jason – 2 children
——————————————————–
James & Ruth (4 children)
Huntington, Indiana

Terri – 3 children
Michael – 3 children
Richard – 3 children
Tina – 3 children
——————————————————–
Larry & Barbara (2 children)
Hannibal, Missouri

Dawn – 2 children
Scott
———————————————————
Daniel & Katherine (3 children)
New London, Missouri

Mark
Christy – 3 children
Cory – 3 children
———————————————————
Carl & Carol (1 child)
Hannibal, Missouri

Amanda (Brothers) – 2 children
———————————————————
Dennis & Kellie (5 children)
Hannibal, Missouri

Anthony
Shannon
Travis
Shelbi Tallman (step)
Troy Tallman (step)
———————————————————
Total:

21 Nieces & Nephews
37 Great Nieces & Nephews

Take care, and remember, we all love you and stand behind everything you have done and continue to do!

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @ 11:52 AM

Thank you, Barb. I knew you could be counted on to get it done. I hope you didn’t mind.

REPLY FROM: Barb S
Sept 2 @ 12:33 PM

No problem, I didn’t mind at all. I was glad to help.

FROM: Larry Vaughn
TO: Link, Lance, Dave
Sept 2 @ 9:32 AM

Just got word through Gena, Social Services, that due to budget cuts here at the hospital, the discount rate for the room(s) is/are being discontinued. The rate will be $55 per day for new reservations effective September 1. Also, the free parking has been discontinued. The rate is $8 per day. I’m still not leaving!

REPLY FROM: Lance
Sept 2 @ 10:34 AM

You’re going to have to go home some day, Dad…. =)

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @ 10:59 AM

I know! Mom has been Summoned for federal jury duty starting October 1! (smile)

REPLY FROM: Dave
Sept 2 @ 4:20 PM

Ha. What do you want to bet that this is a result of the “Review” that followed Pat’s complaints?

FYI, the Medical Fund has grown nicely and I can confirm to you that, even with this increase, we will be able to cover your lodging expenses. Perhaps Link could check the nearby buildings to see if monthly rentals are available. Of course, loss of internet access would have to be considered, but I thought I saw some apartment buildings on the other side of the Children’s Hospital. Have you received any lodging bills rendered by the Hospital? What is the status of your credit card debt?

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @7:30 PM

I have asked Gena, Social Services, about apartments in the area, and was told they are in the $2,000+ range right around the hospital, and are not well managed. I have not received any receipts for any housing costs as of this date. I suspect my credit card debt is healthy and growing. I suspect I can go on line and check it out. I just need to remember which credit card I gave them. If I see one of the girls here tomorrow, I’ll ask about it.

FROM: Marlowe
Sept 2 @ 11:37 AM

Dear friends and family, I am sharing with you a dialogue I had with JW, in response to the update from Larry which included his sister’s observations of Lea when Larry is speaking or touching her.

—–Original Message—–

Yes, her observations are interesting to me primarily as to what she doesn’t conclude from them, as to Lea. She details the responsive reactions of Lea from time to time. When my parents were in their final days, that is, their condition was considered not reversible, we were told they were in a final coma. The proper procedure was, we were told, to deny food and water which would aid in concluding the death process. The denial procedure was represented to us by the medical staff to be completely painless.

I believed what I was told at the time. I don’t believe that the absence of food and water was the cause of their passing but that procedure was followed for short of a week and I do feel such hastened it. I later learned that what I was told about the “painlessness” was false. I don’t know whether any of the nurses, PAs, or doctors overseeing, knew then that what they stated, about the absence of pain or discomfort to the patient, was not true or not. I don’t think they did although the evidence would have been in front of them, as it is, and has been, in the case of Lea.

But I firmly believe it was not true. I believe that the denial of food and water in the final days is very painful and felt by the patient, regardless of the ‘coma’ state. This has been shown to be true in the instance of Lea through Larry’s descriptions of her reactions.

My belief arises from information from a woman who was in a supposedly irreversible coma for several weeks. It was elected that no extreme support systems would be invoked and, supplementally, she was taken off of food and water. She has related the knowing of all conversations and the painfulness of no water or food. That woman came out of her coma by herself and has now related the ordeal. The above is why I have felt such feelings of sorrow for Lea during this period.

——Original Response—–

John,
That is fascinating about your friend. Was she receiving any pain medication during the time she was deprived of food and water? Were they saying she was “brain dead?” What was the cause of her coma? Lea’s case may be different in that there is nothing organically wrong with her brain-it’s more like a deep sleep. I know you were doing what you thought best for your parents and following the advice of the doctors.

The Catholic Church teaches that food and water are not extraordinary measures and should never be denied. Obviously your parents would have died anyway, and were naturally at the end of their years, but continuing nutrition would have left it totally in God’s hands when they passed on. The case of your friend points out that the doctors don’t always know when a condition is irreversible, and that it is best to err on the side of life and hope.

Would you mind if I forwarded your story to Larry and others? I think it would encourage him to hear that Lea might be and aware of and remember all his efforts to communicate with him.
Marlowe

—–RESPONSE—–

I may not have been clear. It was not someone I knew but a published article. I do not know/recall exactly when (in the last few years, of course) I read it or the source. Nor can I swear to any answers to your querys except that she would not have been taken as brain dead as that could not have been supported by any machine data. She claimed she was aware of all conversations around her at all times but could not move at all or make sounds. She may have had pain medications but apparently it wasn’t that efficient as she described the bad effect on her of no food or water in detail. I do know personally of a few persons who have been medicated beyond pain during operations yet were fully cognizant of what was going on. I believe Louise is one, but I will have to ask her to refresh my memory. I have no objections to your sending Larry my email.

FROM: Marlowe
Sept 2 @ 5:04 PM

It has come to my attention that there may be some confusion as to the identity of JW. To clarify, it is John Waller, Dean’s brother-in-law. Thank you John for sharing your personal experience with us, as well as the amazing story of the woman who recovered from the “irreversible coma.” As one of you responded, this is why human beings should leave it to God to determine when a person dies. Also, I noticed some typos in my response to John, which I have highlighted with the correct words.

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 2 @ 7:26 PM

Marlowe, You are SO sweet to facilitate this discussion. THANK YOU!