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Paul1956
New User
Joined: 23 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:07 am Post subject: Do you remember me |
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Hi,
Well it has been a very long time since I posted, and I remember how helpful members where, Brainman was very supportive.
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, this has now gone to my liver, brain and colon.
I was unusual as I decided not to go for ANY treatment, this I have stuck to throughout. Since it has gone to my liver and colon it has been more difficult. I eat very little and am always sick after eating, but I want others to know that treatment is a chose and although I know my days are numbered I have NO regrets over my chose to go it alone.
It is scary if I give myself time to think about it, and like now I have a tooth infection and the pain is baaaaaaaaad, but I can not go see a dentist as my clotting is so poor and would bleed. Even pain meds I try to avoid as they effect my liver and bowel movements.
It has been or still is a very different journey I have told family and close friends what I am doing but I have not made everyone aware. People can now see I am ill now because of the masses of weight I have lost, but I was very overweight so I kid them that the loss is intentional.
I would love to find others who have chosen this approach to illness, I did not give up treatment when it didn't work I decided NOT to start.
I am lucky to still be working full time, and enjoy every moment, I maybe ill but I am still very much alive!
Good luck to everyone on there journey and remember it ain't over till the fat lady sings!
Paul |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5617
Location: Tennessee
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onecoyote
Senior User
Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 150
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| Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Do you remember me |
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Hi Paul,
My husband tried one infusion of chemo but got so sick from it that he opted for no more treatment. He was diagnosed with LC in June of 2008, had his right lung removed but in May of this year it had metastasized to his kidneys and bones. They pushed the chemo on us at first but never told us that when a person is cachexic (huge weight loss and muscle loss) he gets kicked worse by the chemo than a healthy person starting out.
After stopping all treatment my husband is really at peace. Yes, there is pain and fatigue as well as shortness of breath but some days he wakes up feeling great. We try to treasure those days. The bad days we just trudge through.
I applaud you for making your own choice as to whether you seek treatment or not. Too many people are steamrolled into treatments. I think doctors should explain the pros and cons and then step back and let it all sink in the patient. That way the person can make his own choice.
I feel bad that you must suffer with a tooth ache, there must be some way they can ease the pain without jeopardizing your health. I hope you will discuss it with a dentist, you never know what they may be able to come up with.
Prayers sent out to you,
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009 |
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Paul1956
New User
Joined: 23 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Do you remember me |
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[quote="onecoyote"]Hi Paul,
My husband tried one infusion of chemo but got so sick from it that he opted for no more treatment. He was diagnosed with LC in June of 2008, had his right lung removed but in May of this year it had metastasized to his kidneys and bones. They pushed the chemo on us at first but never told us that when a person is cachexic (huge weight loss and muscle loss) he gets kicked worse by the chemo than a healthy person starting out.
After stopping all treatment my husband is really at peace. Yes, there is pain and fatigue as well as shortness of breath but some days he wakes up feeling great. We try to treasure those days. The bad days we just trudge through.
I applaud you for making your own choice as to whether you seek treatment or not. Too many people are steamrolled into treatments. I think doctors should explain the pros and cons and then step back and let it all sink in the patient. That way the person can make his own choice.
I feel bad that you must suffer with a tooth ache, there must be some way they can ease the pain without jeopardizing your health. I hope you will discuss it with a dentist, you never know what they may be able to come up with.
Prayers sent out to you,
Charlene[/quote]
Hi Charlene,
It sounds like your husband is LIVING WELL with his cancer. To me this is what it is all about, no one wants cancer but we can live with it without it destroying our life. I see cancer very much as part of me but not who I am, like your husband I am still very much alive, I have no side effects from drugs to worry about and can think clearly.
There are some fantastic treatments out there and we must always be given the chose if to make use of them, but as you say time must be given for a person to make an informed chose.
Our family has always opted out of cancer treatment, my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer and given 6 months without treatment, he lived nearly 10 more active years and never received any treatment.
I did go to the dentist this morning and he was very helpful, he seemed to know more than my GP about liver problems, he prescribes antibiotics, penicillin, it is important that ONLY penicillin is used for people with liver problems, and he wants my tooth pulled but for safety he refereed me to the local hospital to be done.
All the best to you and your husband, and I hope it is one of his good days today,
Paul |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5617
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Do you remember me |
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I agree; opting for no treatment is a legitimate choice that each of use need to make on our own. I opted for only chemotherapy the first time around. My mother opted for no treatment. I started with a low grade cancer and, after 17 years, am still here. My mother, with a higher grade cancer and many other heath issues, died two month after her diagnosis. I do believe both of us made the correct decisions for ourselves based on good information. That really is the key: having full understanding of the facts and risks associated with our cancers.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54 |
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