Quality of life vs. extension of life in cancer patients

@KarenO52 (2950)
United States
March 21, 2007 3:50pm CST
A friend of ours has been diagnosed with esophogeal cancer. He went through radiation and chemo, and suffered a heart attack while undergoing treatment. A few months ago the doctors told him he could expect to die in a couple of months. He was on some medications intended to prolong his life. He looked and felt terrible, as if he'd aged 40 years, and had lost a lot of weight. He became so sick that he had to be hospitalized. They had him hooked up to all sorts of IV's and tubes, and he just got fed up with it all and ripped everything out. He left the hospital under protests from the doctors and hospital staff. He said that he would not take any medications other than pain meds since he was going to die anyway, and resolved to die at home in peace. That was a couple of weeks ago, and since then he's been feeling (and looking) better, though very tired. He has been able to go visit friends and has been enjoying what's left of his life. It seems as if he is living longer that what the doctors thought, even though he's not taking the drugs that made him feel so sick. Doesn't it make you question the doctors motives for pushing these treatments on people?
1 person likes this
2 responses
• United States
21 Apr 07
It certainly does make me question their motives. I used to work for a hospital. I think that for some people after working in the field, they think they are working in a candy store. They forget we are talking about the lives of people.
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I agree. Some of those in the medical profession become so callous. It's disheartening hearing them talk about the patients as if they are nothing more than one more task.
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
20 Apr 07
A dear friend of mne passed away about a year ago from cancer and he had every treatment available to prolong it reaching his brain. He was terminal from dx, so we knew they wouldn't save him but he wanted to hang in as long as he could for the sake of his daughter. Those treatments took such a toll on him, I wonder if he didn't regret it once he had gotten started.
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
20 Apr 07
Our friend is still alive today, and doing better than ever. He is still terminal, but he is enjoying himself. He might make it through one more summer, when he was expected to die last winter. Your friend did what he thought was best, but he may indeed have at least felt better without the standard treatment.