Image of nurses' hands at computer keyboard

A Florida state appeals court Wednesday denied a request by the parents of Terri Schiavo to block the removal of her feeding tube. The decision now leaves few options for the woman’s parents before the scheduled removal of the tube this Friday at 1 p.m.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland refused a request by Bob and Mary Schindler for a delay while they consider further appeals. The court said the issues raised by the Schindlers had already been dealt with by other courts.

Florida legislators, meanwhile, pushed ahead with bills to prevent Michael Schiavo from allowing his wife’s feeding tube to be removed. While the Senate and House are scheduled to consider bills today, negotiators said it would be hard to reconcile them in time.

Schiavo has been in a vegetative state since 1990 when she suffered brain damage after her heart stopped. She has been living in nursing homes since that time. While her husband has been trying to get the feeding tube removed, her parents have resisted his efforts through the courts. They contend she could get better.