Anne Heche Accident

[Deleted member 221]

In other cases, the anti-abortion population thinks it's wrong too.

The Terri Schiavo case is a good place to start if people want to research the legalities, etc.

 

[Judy]

There is no point in continuing life support when the person is brain dead. I wouldn’t’t want to be kept like that either. It is awful when a dispute happens amongst family though.

 

[canbelto]

I think they removed her from the ventilator yesterday. She is dead.

 

[canbelto]

I stand corrected. They are taking her off life support today. Organs have been matched.

 

[MINAM]

What a tragic way to go. She had mental health issues if I remember correctly. Glad nobody else was injured.

 

[Orm Irian]

There is no point in continuing life support when the person is brain dead. I wouldn’t’t want to be kept like that either. It is awful when a dispute happens amongst family though.

In a case like Heche's, where a deceased person wanted their organs to be donated, it can be necessary to keep them on life support for a time so that their organs can be assessed for donation and/or matched to recipients. I think that in such cases the fact that it's a way of fulfilling a loved one's last wishes can make it easier for their family to bear. Outside of those circumstances, though, I also find it cruel to the deceased. So often it seems to be more about what their family wants or can accept than it is about about them.

 

[once_upon]

In a case like Heche's, where a deceased person wanted their organs to be donated, it can be necessary to keep them on life support for a time so that their organs can be assessed for donation and/or matched to recipients. I think that in such cases the fact that it's a way of fulfilling a loved one's last wishes can make it easier for their family to bear. Outside of those circumstances, though, I also find it cruel to the deceased. So often it seems to be more about what their family wants or can accept than it is about about them.

As I understand from nurse friends, it is extremely difficult to care for someone who remains on life support measures even knowing it is because the organs are being harvested.

As you know it us not just ventilators, but meds to maintain blood pressure, renal function so that when organs are harvested they have the best chance for success.

I find it very spiritual when nurses and other care providers escort the body to the OR as honorary pall bearers before harvesting/taking off life support.

 

[canbelto]

She had such a tragic life. So talented and beautiful, but so tragic.

 

[Cachoo]

Whenever I hear about the involvement of drugs these days I do wonder if mental illness is also involved and the drugs are used to try and suppress the effects of the illness. We hear about it over and over. Whatever happened this is very sad.

 

[Judy]

In a case like Heche's, where a deceased person wanted their organs to be donated, it can be necessary to keep them on life support for a time so that their organs can be assessed for donation and/or matched to recipients. I think that in such cases the fact that it's a way of fulfilling a loved one's last wishes can make it easier for their family to bear. Outside of those circumstances, though, I also find it cruel to the deceased. So often it seems to be more about what their family wants or can accept than it is about about them.

Yes absolutely. I just think of people that refuse to take them off life support for years.

 

[Kasey]

As I understand from nurse friends, it is extremely difficult to care for someone who remains on life support measures even knowing it is because the organs are being harvested.

As you know it us not just ventilators, but meds to maintain blood pressure, renal function so that when organs are harvested they have the best chance for success.

I just had a young donor patient last night. They are a LOT of work and resources, to try to keep their desired organs as high quality as possible. Lungs have to be just about in pristine condition to be procured. This gentleman, they were looking at liver and kidneys, as well as tissue and skin and corneas. It is an honor to take care of these patients and their families (their family becomes our second patient), but can be emotionally taxing as well as challenging.

As to Heche, I hope whatever demons she had have ceased now and she rests in peace.

 

[once_upon]

Whenever I hear about the involvement of drugs these days I do wonder if mental illness is also involved and the drugs are used to try and suppress the effects of the illness. We hear about it over and over. Whatever happened this is very sad.

I would say 99% of the time, drug and/or alcohol is self medicating.

 

[DFJ]

I just had a young donor patient last night. They are a LOT of work and resources, to try to keep their desired organs as high quality as possible. Lungs have to be just about in pristine condition to be procured. This gentleman, they were looking at liver and kidneys, as well as tissue and skin and corneas. It is an honor to take care of these patients and their families (their family becomes our second patient), but can be emotionally taxing as well as challenging.

As to Heche, I hope whatever demons she had have ceased now and she rests in peace.

You are indeed one of Earth's angels. Speaking for myself, I don't know how you do it.

 

[PeterG]

Anne Heche final autopsy report shows no evidence of illegal drugs in system at time of crash: Medical examiner

There is no evidence Anne Heche was impaired by illicit substances when she crashed her car into a Los Angeles residence on Aug. 5 despite reports suggesting otherwise.

The actress's blood tested at the hospital showed the presence of benzoylecgonine, an inactive metabolite of cocaine. That indicates past use, the Los Angeles medical examiner confirms.

Results also showed prior use of marijuana, but not at the time of injury. There was no alcohol detected in Heche's system either.

Blood draw results showed the presence of narcotics; however additional testing was required to rule out what was given to her medically. The final toxicology report states the fentanyl detected in Heche's urine was administered in the hospital.

It appears that the guesses/accusations made in this thread were all untrue. How horrible that as someone was dying after being trapped in a burning vehicle, people thought the worst of her. And how some had more compassion for a repairable home instead.

 

[Deleted member 221]

It appears that the guesses/accusations made in this thread were all untrue. How horrible that as someone was dying after being trapped in a burning vehicle, people thought the worst of her.

Whatever the cause, Heche was driving around like a maniac and could have killed many people other than herself. There is video evidence of her committing several serious crimes: hit and run, dangerous driving, speeding, etc. People screamed at her to stop, and she didn't listen. She had many opportunities to stop before she ultimately killed herself and destroyed someone's house.

And, to be fair, people on this thread were quite restrained and didn't jump to conclusions. Many speculated early on that she must've had a full mental breakdown, which may have been the case if the drug usage was not recent. Maybe you read other nasty comments about Heche elsewhere...?

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

Does illegal drugs include alcohol in this context? The initial reports I heard mentioned alcohol. In the end it doesn't really matter if it was drugs, alcohol, mental breakdown or just plain recklessness because it was all a horrible way to die. I am just glad no one else was hurt.

Actress Anne Heche has 'long recovery ahead' after car crash | CNN

Anne Heche remains hospitalized and in intensive care after a car she was driving crashed into a residence in Los Angeles on Friday and became engulfed in flames.

www.cnn.com

Hours before Heche’s crash on Friday, a new episode of her podcast “Better Together,” was released but it has since been removed from their Apple Podcast landing page. During a portion of the podcast, Heche and her co-host, Heather Duffy, discuss drinking vodka and wine and Heche talks about having a “bad day.”