Doctors vs. Parents: Who Decides Right to Life?

While Lopez continues to work full-time, Murray quit his job as a salesman two years ago and takes care of Sabrina at home. But he has help.

Every day after classes, Veal says she comes home and hangs out with her friend, telling Sabrina about the latest gossip at school, watching TV, combing her hair or just holding Sabrina's hand while she sleeps. Nothing brings Veal more joy, she says, than when she cracks a joke that makes Sabrina laugh.

Veal becomes sad and cries, however, when remembering life before the ­surgeries.

"We can't do the same things we used to do together," she says. "And it all happened so fast. I mean we were in eighth grade taking our TAKS together and she was fine except for her headaches, and then a couple days later she was in the hospital. When I first found out what happened, I didn't think it was going to hurt me as much as it did. And then I just felt that I needed to do more than I normally would."

For Veal, that meant going to her parents and asking if she could move in with Martin.

"At first my parents were like, 'We don't want you to be away from home,' but then I begged and begged and told them that I promised myself that I would not leave her side," says Veal. "I mean, I miss my family, but for me it's worth it. I don't have a problem doing it because it's my choice and it's what I want to do."

Lopez and Murray feel the same way.

Sabrina's mother calls her daughter "My Sleeping Beauty" because Sabrina dozes off much of the time. Caring for her is not easy, but her parents says it's far better than the alternative presented to them by the folks at Memorial Hermann.

"I'm so glad we did what we did," says Murray. "It's a lot of work. But it's better now than it was at first. Some days I just want to go up to those doctors and say, "See, look at her now."

chris.vogel@houstonpress.com