Mom worries Knoxville hospital would end son's care

 East Tennessee Children's Hospital said it would continue caring for 9-month-old Gabriel Palmer from Sweetwater.

The attorney for Catherine Palmer, the baby's mother, said Gabriel was born prematurely.

He was diagnosed with a rare disease that family members said is affecting the growth of his wind pipe.

In court papers filed Monday, the family's attorney said Children's considered Gabriel's care futile.  He said an agreement has been made with the hospital and believes his client's complaint will eventually be dropped.

"I filed a complaint today seeking a temporary restraining order to make sure no care is withdrawn from the child," said Knoxville attorney John Threadgill, who represents the Palmer family.

In the complaint, Threadgill claims a Children's official told Gabriel's mother "ETCH was going to cease Gabriel's respirator, medications, pulse oximeter and milk feeding because they considered his care futile."

The complaint goes on to read that the mother said the staff member told her that a committee of doctors "would meet soon to make the formal decision of withdrawal of treatment, but that the decision was a foregone conclusion."

The complaint states "Gabriel Palmer's condition is stable.  He is not dying, and he could live for many years."

Threadgill pulled the restraining order request from Monday's court docket after attending a meeting a ETCH.

"There was an ethics committee meeting of the hospital where they were to decide the future care of the child," Threadgill said.  "The decision was made that the child will remain a patient at least for now at the Children's Hospital."

East Tennessee Children's Hospital released the following statement regarding Gabriel Palmer's care late Monday:

In critical care situations like Gabriel's, it is not uncommon to reach a place in the child's treatment where discussions are held to see how best to proceed.  When this situation occurs, input both from the family and from the child's medical team is solicited.  That is what was being addressed today, because the best interest of the child and family are always at the forefront of everything we do. We have and will continue to provide the highest quality care for Gabriel and every child and Children's Hospital.  No care has been withheld from Gabriel, and our medical team continues to work with the family to look at any possibilities that can be identified for his continued treatment.

Threadgill said the family was pleased with Monday's decision.  However, he said his clients will continue to look for a facility that is best suited for Gabriel's condition.