Chemotherapy

[jennyjoan]

Today at the funeral of a guy, I met a lady whom I know had a colostomy bag about two years ago and doing great. She is about 70 years old. She was telling me that she got the tumour removed and refused chemo and radiation and yesterday (Friday) she was due to have the bag reversed but couldn't because the guy was her relative and had to attend the funeral. Wasn't that a brave/hard decision to make. It was her decision.

[Peter Pedant]

I hope she does well

yes Jenny I think she as brave it is a hard decision
I am glad she has done well

[ if there is no regrowth after 24 m ( 36 m is better ) you can talk about 'cure' - I had mine in 1999. when I went back to Christie with a different tumour they asked - were you really here twenty years ago ? ]

[woofgang]

I wish really wish we could get away from talking about what is brave or not brave when facing terminal illness....also this stuff about “fighting” and “losing the fight” Illness is illness we all face it how we can. some of us live and some of us die. You can take every treatment that is offered....it doesn’t make you braver or more of a fighter...it makes you a person who made different choices for their own reasons.

[Peter Pedant]

thank you for that insightful comment Woofie

you dont happen to have a fatal illness by any chance do you ?

[anneasquith]

Indeed woof, none of us know what we would do in the situation . at the moment a dear friend has had a dreadful diagnosis, she has consented to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, then extensive surgery,

[anneasquith]

Continued... Were I in her situation I believei would decline treatment.....but, I have not been given her diagnosis .!!!!!!

[Mamyalynne]

It's very emotive and often difficult to find the right words when talking about such things, life throws huge challenges at many and often the way they deal with it amazes us - so then we use terms to express it.

We all know Cancer (and other illnesses) are *** and the treatments for them are arduous to say the least.

[Smowball]

Agree with Islay

[woofgang]

No PP I lost DH to cancer.

[Mamyalynne]

If you mean Islay's second reply, I would never second guess someone's decision about their own treatment.


If you mean her first - I don't know enough about the costings issue.

[Sqad]

I agree with the sensible and logical post of woofgang 22.53.

Terminal illness is just that....terminal...no more and no less. The Dr gives you the diagnosis and the treatment choice and you have the final decision based on your particular circumstances.....nothing to do with "bravery."

Another thing that "irritates" me is that when the "end " arrives, it is described as "losing one's battle with cancer" whereas if one has struggled with chronic lung disease or cardiovascular disease, one just dies......no battle....in a different league to the cancer patient.

[woofgang]

Thank you Sqad. I also hate the implication of the “lost battle” comment that if the person had been “braver” or “fought harder” or (my personal bite the table and swear moment) “been more positive” then they wouldn’t have died.