So here's the story.

13 year old Jahi McMath went in for tonsillectomy surgery at Children's Hospital in Oakland Ca. She developed complications from the surgery, suffered massive bleeding, and then went into cardiac arrest. They revived her but she was declared brain dead and now is on a ventilator. The hospital wanted to remove Jahi from the ventilator but her family got a court injunction. That injunction will prevent her from being removed from the ventilator until at least December 30th.

Here in the SF Bay Area Jahi's situation has been a top story.

Having just lost my mother to somewhat similar circumstances(complications from surgery, cardiac arrest, possible hospital negligence), Jahi's story hits home.

One last thing. NO surgery is "just routine" and hospitals, doctors, nurses, etc, sometimes do more harm than good...

Positive thoughts and prayers are needed 4 Jahi.


Full article here
http://www.ktvu.com/news/...fte/ncStt/

Judge rules that teen should stay on ventilator until after reevaluation

Jahi McMath, 13, in the hospital

KTVU.com and wires

OAKLAND, Calif. —

With a family fighting a hospital to keep their daughter who has been declared brain dead on life support, an Oakland judge on Monday ordered the hospital to keep treating 13-year-old Jahi McMath for another week as a second medical evaluation is conducted.

Jahi experienced complications following a tonsillectomy at Children's Hospital in Oakland.

As her family sat stone-faced in the front row of the courtroom, an Alameda County judge called for Jahi to be independently examined by Paul Graham Fisher, the chief of child neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

The judge also ordered the hospital to keep Jahi on a ventilator until Dec. 30, or until further order from the court.

“This fight is going to go on until Jahi wakes up or we can get her to another facility. But we're not going to allow anyone to pull the plug on this girl,” said Omari Sealey, McMath's uncle, after the ruling.

“It gives the family time to find alternate arrangements and it gives time for Jahi to come back to life,” said family attorney Christopher Dolan.

The examination was expected to occur later on Monday, and early Tuesday.

Hospital staff and Fisher will conduct an electroencephalogram, or EEG, and tests to see if blood is still flowing to Jahi's brain.

Doctors at Children's Hospital concluded the girl was brain dead on Dec. 12 and wanted to remove her from life support.

Jahi's family wants to keep her hooked up to a respirator and eventually have her moved to another facility.

The family said they believe she is still alive and that the hospital should not remove her from the ventilator without their permission.

"It's wrong for someone who made mistakes on your child to just call the coroner ... and not respect the family's feeling or rights," Sandra Chatman, Jahi's grandmother who is a registered nurse, said in the hallway outside the courtroom. "I know Jahi suffered, and it tears me up."

[Edited 12/23/13 23:47pm]

How incredibly sad. Truly heartbreaking.

yeah, that was just hard...

I hope they sue the fuck out of that hospital.

Jahi McMath

Children's Hospital Oakland cast doubt Thursday evening whether a 13-year-old girl declared brain dead earlier this month could be transferred to another facility, despite the family announcing earlier that they had found another facility in the Bay Area willing to keep her on life support.

Jahi McMath's uncle, Omari Sealey, said the family is "still hoping for a miracle" and "may have gotten one" by finding another facility to take Jahi and "give her another fighting chance to wake up."

But Children's Hospital shot back a statement an hour later, saying that the family's attorney has said that multiple surgical procedures will be necessary to move Jahi and that he has not specified the facility they hope to transfer her to.

"Children's Hospital Oakland does not believe that performing surgical procedures on the body of a deceased person is an appropriate medical practice," chief of pediatrics David Durand said.

Doctors at Children's declared Jahi to be brain dead on Dec. 12, three days after she went to the hospital for what her family said was supposed to be a routine tonsillectomy to cure a sleep apnea problem that made it difficult for her to sleep.

A judge earlier this week ruled Children's Hospital Oakland could remove McMath from the ventilator keeping her body functioning. The family has until 5 p.m. Monday to file an appeal.

Chris Dolan, an attorney for Jahi's mother, Nailah Winkfield, on Thursday said they were able to find another care facility willing to keep the girl on life support.

"A Bay Area sub-acute care facility has indicated that they can accept Jahi and provide her with all the nutrition, ventilation support and other care that she needs to stabilize her and to assist her in reaching maximum medical improvement," Dolan said in a statement. "I have been in contract with the plan administrator for Jahi's insurance who indicated that it appears that this transfer could work."

Dolan, however, added Jahi would need additional medical equipment and treatment before she would be accepted into the other facility. He reached out to Children's Hospital to help in the possible move.

"I am hoping that they will cooperate," Dolan said. "It is clear that they want Jahi out of the hospital...the family agrees, they want her out of there too, but they would prefer that she leave while her heart is still beating and she has vent support."

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo ruled just before Christmas Eve that the hospital could remove Jahi from the ventilator.

Durand, the hospital's chief of pediatrics, on Thursday released the following statement in response to the family's request:

Judge Grillo was very clear on Tuesday December 24. He ruled Jahi McMath to be deceased and instructed the hospital to maintain the status quo. Judge Grillo did not authorize or order any surgical procedures or transfer to another facility.

[Edited 12/27/13 3:07am]

for Jahi & family.

To JoeyC & family. You have my heartfelt sympathy. B1130

==== ~*~ In Loving Memory ~*~ Rest In Peace ===

Boriqua1130 said:

To JoeyC & family. You have my heartfelt sympathy. B1130

==== ~*~ In Loving Memory ~*~ Rest In Peace ===

Thank you miss Boriqua1130. Positive thoughts and words mean a lot 2 me.

Even though my mother passed away in august, I'm still grieving.

I'm trying not 2 get on the pity pot but its kinda hard. Especially around these darn holidays.

Anyways God Bless u and everyone who commented on the thread that i made a few months ago(about my mothers death)

...Heck, bless everyone .

Hospitals can cure you or kill you. This story happens daily.

it's a terrible story and there will have to be an enquiry. i feel for the family but i do hope they will allow her some dignity soon, there is nothing anyone can do for her now. they could consider donating her organs though, in time that might bring them some peace

ThisOne said:

Why would it be the doctors choice to turn off the respirator??? That should always be up to the family They are obviously not ready to let go And their feelings and the situation they are in should be respected I really do hope she lives and has a good life - the hospital has a lot to answer 4 To Jahi - god bless u . ,

Because it is the doctor's who have determined she is brain dead.

Always up to the family? Who pays for it? The family?

Medical care is still going to be about money. You are still asking for something that has to be paid for by somebody. That's the sad reality.

Although there is insurance, the insurance company will not pay to maintain life support indefinitely. The family will then have this same fight again trying to force the insurer to keep paying.

[Edited 12/28/13 12:29pm]

SUPRMAN said:

JoeyC said:

Boriqua1130 said:

To JoeyC & family. You have my heartfelt sympathy. B1130

==== ~*~ In Loving Memory ~*~ Rest In Peace ===

Thank you miss Boriqua1130. Positive thoughts and words mean a lot 2 me.

Even though my mother passed away in august, I'm still grieving.

I'm trying not 2 get on the pity pot but its kinda hard. Especially around these darn holidays.

Anyways God Bless u and everyone who commented on the thread that i made a few months ago(about my mothers death)

...Heck, bless everyone .

You're welcome beloved.

ThisOne said:

SUPRMAN said:

Because it is the doctor's who have determined she is brain dead.

Always up to the family? Who pays for it? The family?

Medical care is still going to be about money. You are still asking for something that has to be paid for by somebody. That's the sad reality.

I had a cousin in the same situation - it was really really sad and heartbreaking When the announcement was made by the doctors It was the family's choice - they said ok when they were ready - they received support and counselling in the process of making that choice - it took them about a week to come to terms with the loss of such a young child It's the family's choice - Australia has Medicare and insurance - I am sure that would have taken away some of the $$$ burden in this situation Anyway as for Jahi well I understand the medical situation in the USA would be much different to ours but in this particular situation the hospital would and should be liable for all costs and they should allow this family time to accept the loss of their beloved child and money should never even be a reason why it's not - I am sure that in time the family will agree - a forced decision seems heartless to me

Why should the hospital be liable for all costs? Those costs are at this point indeterminate.

Money should never be a reason?! Again, who pays? The hospital?

Medical care is not free in the U.S. It is not single payer (government), so someone has to pay.

When the insurance stops paying, who pays then?

[Edited 12/29/13 9:45am]

SUPRMAN said:

ThisOne said:

SUPRMAN said:

Why should the hospital be liable for all costs? Those costs are at this point indeterminate.

Money should never be a reason?! Again, who pays? The hospital?

Medical care is not free in the U.S. It is not single payer (government), so someone has to pay.

When the insurance stops paying, who pays then?

[Edited 12/29/13 9:45am]

The hospital should be liable because Jahi experienced complications following a tonsillectomy so the doctors obviously did something wrong - these things don't just happen and giving a family time to accept the loss should not be a cost issue I guess where I come from the health system makes it easier for people and it's just my opinion but for a world leader like the USA who r constantly spending billions in military and weapons and space exploration - the health system really sucks

That does not establish that the hospital is liable. Complications can happen during any procedure. Doesn't mean the doctors are at fault.

Giving a family time to accept the loss is not a cost issue? When is it not?

An autopsy isn't free. Neither is burial.

So where you are from? Is being on life support indefinite? When the family is good and ready, even after someone is pronounced dead?

I get the emotion and theatrics, but it ignores fact and reality, which we're just supposed to go along with because emotion is involved.

SUPRMAN said:

ThisOne said:

SUPRMAN said:

That does not establish that the hospital is liable. Complications can happen during any procedure. Doesn't mean the doctors are at fault.

Giving a family time to accept the loss is not a cost issue? When is it not?

An autopsy isn't free. Neither is burial.

So where you are from? Is being on life support indefinite? When the family is good and ready, even after someone is pronounced dead?

I get the emotion and theatrics, but it ignores fact and reality, which we're just supposed to go along with because emotion is involved.

I'm not being theatrical - my family was in a similar situation and a week makes a difference and allows loved ones to accept their loss - it's not easy especially for parents of young children In our situation the parents received counselling and support - I don't think cost should be an issue because the loss of a child impacts the lives of parents forever To you cost is an issue because of your health system - if and when I have taken my children to see a doctor or to hospital i have never worried about $$$$$ I live in Australia And to me 'complications' means someone stuffed up [Edited 12/29/13 14:40pm]

Wasn't calling you theatrical. That was a reference to the publicity and posturing by attorneys etc.

Cost is an issue. Because the family isn't paying out of pocket costs, the care is being covered through taxes. So you are fine with others ponying up to pay the bill.

You may not worry about it, but somebody has to.

It's emotional because it's the finality of death. But the cost doesn't go away because of grief.

As i stated in the OP. The court injunction expires on Monday the 30th. As it stands now, unless the McMath family gets an extension on the injunction the hospital plans on removing all life support from Jahi on Monday.

Supposedly there were two facilities that were going to take Jahi but both seem 2 have fell through.

[Edited 12/29/13 23:03pm]

This is a big story here in the Bay Area.It's so sad and tragic

SUPRMAN said:

Right now there is a court ordered stay until Jan 7.

In this case, I doubt the family will have to pay, but the hospital isn't changing the diagnosis of death.

Because of the publicity, the hospital will probably eat the cost to avoid further negative publicity.

I side with the hospital. Every procedure doesn't turn out perfect and no one is necessarily at fault because it doesn't.

I understand where the family is coming from, but when and if they move her from the hospital, who pays for her care then?

My guess is they try to make the hospital do it. Doubt a lawsuit brings that about.

Wonder how the family would feel if a lawsuit forced the hospital to close?

After a judge extended a court order keeping her 13-year-old brain-dead daughter on a ventilator in an Oakland hospital, Nailah Winkfield remained defiant to medical experts, insisting that Jahi McMath is alive.

http://www.latimes.com/lo...z2p73GrSQK

Since i was the one who started this thread i didn't want it to die without giving a update on Jahi's condition.

I guess all we can do is pray or hope(non religious) that Jahi isn't suffering and that her family can eventually gain some inner peace from her current condition and her eventual total death.




The first article is about Jahi's current condition and the second article has the McMath lawyer speaking about the criticism that he and the family has received.


Full article here
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/06/health/jahi-mcmath-girl-brain-dead/

Brain-dead girl Jahi McMath released from California hospital

By Ed Payne. Catherine E. Shoichet and Jason Hanna, CNN

updated 2:03 AM EST, Tue January 7, 2014

(CNN) -- Jahi McMath is no longer inside the hospital where doctors declared her brain-dead after tonsil surgery last month.

But family members won't reveal where they took the 13-year-old after Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland released her Sunday night.

"We're very relieved that she got safely to where she needed to be, because we were all very afraid, given the fragile condition as she wasted away at Children's, that she might not make it," attorney Chris Dolan told reporters Monday.

The move ends one chapter of a weeks-long struggle between the hospital, which sought to remove Jahi from a ventilator after doctors and a judge concluded she was brain-dead, and her relatives, who fought in court to keep her on the ventilator and contended she showed signs of life.

"As a family, we are definitely relieved that she's no longer at Children's Hospital, but we're all emotionally drained," Omari Sealey, the girl's uncle, told CNN's Piers Morgan Live on Monday night. "This has been an incredible roller-coaster ride of emotions."

He said so long as his niece's heart is beating, Jahi is alive.

"She's moving a lot more. She responds to audio and touch, and more compelling evidence is the fact that she can move her head and neck," Sealey said.

The hospital released Jahi on Sunday to the Alameda County coroner, who then released her to her mother's custody, said Dr. David Durand, the hospital's chief of pediatrics. The hospital had previously said it needed the coroner's consent for the transfer because Jahi was legally dead.

Jahi -- who was declared brain-dead December 12 after post-surgery complications that her family says included severe bleeding and cardiac arrest -- was moved from the hospital Sunday accompanied by a critical-care team. She was attached to a ventilator, but with no feeding tube in place.

On Monday, Dolan said Jahi was being given antibiotics to fight infections and nutritional support.

"They're giving her everything that a person who would have a chance to live would be getting," he said.

He declined to provide details about the type of facility, citing privacy and security concerns.

"She's where she's going to be for a while," he said. "She needs to be medically stabilized, medically treated."

On Sunday, the president of a rehabilitation center in New York told CNN that the facility would gladly accept Jahi. But Dolan said the family has no plans to give more details about her location.

"We've had people make threats from around the country. It's sad that people act that way," Dolan said. "So for Jahi's safety and those around her, we will not be saying where she went or where she is."

At least five different facilities that originally offered to care for Jahi fell through, he said. But ultimately, the family chose from a number of offers.

"There were other facilities that still had their hand extended," he said. "But we took the first one that we knew would pull us in."

Full article here
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-0121-dolan-jahi-mcmath-brain-death-20140121,0,5121800.story#axzz2rBCZJC7i

McMath attorney: Jahi's family aren't fools; they deserve better than ignorant attacks

Self-interest alone should lead most Americans to thank Nailah Winkfield, Jahi's mother, for her courage.