06:37 PM CST on Sunday, March 20, 2005

By Amy Tortolani / 11 News

A man who had been on a respirator at St. Luke's Hospital arrived at a new facility Sunday in San Antonio. While the life support battle appears to be winding down, this situation could eventually involve lawmakers.

KHOU-TV

The family found a facility in San Antonio to care for their loved one.

Watching the ambulance pull away from St. Luke's Hospital with Spiro Nikolouzos in it was not only a victory for his family, but another chance at life.

"I am so happy that this happened that he is out of here," said Janette Nikolouzos, patient's wife.

Spiro Nikolouzos has been an invalid since 2001 and complications last month left him unable to breathe on his own.

St. Luke' Hospital had planned to take the 68-year-old man off life support.

"This has never been an issue about St. Luke's or anyone that works at St. Luke's wanting to take this man off life support," said Dr. David Pate, St. Luke's. "It's been about what's best for him and should we be forced to continue providing care to someone that we think is futile and we think may be hurting them and ultimately, will make no impact on the quality of life."

KHOU-TV

Doctors at St. Luke's Hospital don't believe Spiro Nikolouzos will ever recover.

Mrs. Nikolouzos fought to keep her husband alive and took St. Luke's to court.

After many extensions and stays, but before a final decision was ever reached, the family found a facility in San Antonio to care for their loved one.

"Free at last free at last. You didn't get to kill him," said Janette Nikolouzos.

But it's not the end of this life support case. Mrs. Nikolouzos is ready to take on Texas lawmakers who have given hospitals the right to remove patients from life support after giving 10 days notice, unless there is clear evidence another facility can provide care.

"They are out of control to make a law like this, it's shameful," said Janette Nikolouzos. "The way I feel for them giving so much power to the doctors and the hospitals they should bury their heads in the sand like an ostrich. It's disgraceful for this state.

Family members said while they won this battle, they admit the father and husband they knew will never fully recover. But at least now, they say, there's a chance.

There is supposed to be another court hearing on Wednesday, but the family's attorney said there is a conference call scheduled with the judge Monday.