Do doctors go to far?
By overhere
@overhere (515)
United States
June 2, 2008 9:06am CST
It always used to be said that our life expectancy was three score years and ten,beyond that you had had a "good innings"! Nowadays when the elderly are diagnosed with some terminal illness or other the medics seem almost duty bound, whatever the age, to intervene with radical therapy. I know that when my time comes my only wish is that I die pain free (I'm a coward) and with dignity intact. These thoughts are prompted by todays operation on Edward Kennedy to treat a brain tumour with the promise or chemo and radiation to follow. My mother in law was diagnosed the same and like Sen Kennedy was in reasonable health (79 yrs old) but the doctors decided to treat her and within days she was much worse and her quality of life gone and dead within two months. Why at this age are they so aggressive in treatment what can be the long term good. It almost seems to me that the medical profession treat because they can rather than because they should. What do you think? What would you want?
3 people like this
4 responses
@Gargoyle0134 (1257)
• United States
8 Jun 08
NAW...if I am diagnosed wiht soething terminal, I juts want ot go home and stay there to the end. I'd like them to help witht pain. But I want to be at home when I go more than I want an extra month or two.
I DO think they go way too far in treating terminal illnesses in people. We are all born. We will all pass away sometime. It's OK. -When my time comes, I am "cool" with that. No extra treatment is needed.
(I do not want aggressive treatment. I don't want any after being found to be terminal at all, actually.)
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
7 Sep 08
I have been reading a lot of history just lately, mainly to do with the Tudor period and it is amazing that people were considered old over 35! More surprising is that they were a miracle if they lived beyond that age. I think we have come a long way since those days.
I am inclined to think like you, if I am elderly and I am ill I just want to go. The doctors should spend their time making the younger ones better rather than me who has not got a lot of years left anyway. I am a coward too, I want to die pain free!
@sunita64 (6469)
• India
7 Sep 08
There is one Law of attraction in this universe, what you fear gets attracted towards you. So I never think of any disease and always picture myself healthy and wealthy. Believe me thinking too much about illness is inviting trouble and that suppresses your immune system. So always be positive in outlook you will seldom need a doctor. I am 44 years of age and only twice I have been to a doctor.
@asawanialvin0611 (1877)
• Philippines
14 Jun 08
The choice is left with the patients and the relatives.They will do the best option with the consent of the concerned
