Stopped Treatment & Lessons Learned

wannaknow · Regular Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

Background = Post op (75% resection)
After 15 radiation & 3 chemo treatments my Mom developed side effects that unfortunately were not responded to fast enough which ended up in a 6 day hospital stay to treat pneumonia, low white counts, etc, etc.

At 81 yrs old she has decided not to resume the 2nd half of the suggested treatments. After a discussion with a Dr in the hospital who experienced his own family battle with PC, a few lessons were learned and/or remembered:

1) Balance Risks & Rewards when making treatment decisons especially with older patients................we were so focused on fighting & following Drs advice that the decisions may not have been completely balanced

2) There is a difference between surviving cancer & living with cancer. The former being less attractive. Quality of life even in the short term should be highly valued.

3) There will probably be side effects with treatments so be educated, prepared & respond quickly .........especially with older patients who do not have the strength or reserves to call upon. Do not let Drs minimize & delay attention or treatment of those side effects.

4) Patients will often be vague with symptoms, so more detailed conversations & basic indicators ie; body temp, etc can uncover & help zero in more quickly.

5) There is a level of wear & tear over & above the obvious chemo/radiation treatments & operation recovery. The doctor visits, testing, medications, travel, schedule disruptions, etc, etc. Couple that with patients who have already been weakened with weight loss & appetite flucuations, it does not take much to send them tumbling when a side effect or even a simple illness appears.

Thanks to all who have provided direct & indirect hlp & support. Best wishes to all who are continuing their learning & battle.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 704 Location: UK

Thank you for this - it is salutary and pragmatic.

I wish you and your mother all the very best.

brainman

wannaknow, thank you for sharing what you have learned. These lessons are very true for any type of cancer.

You and your mother remain in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

izzabella · New User Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Thank you so much for sharing. I am going through a similar scenerio with my mother who is elderly. The family wants to do something to try to extend her life but I keep trying to remind everyone that it isn't necessarily the length of time but quality. What is the point in giving her 6 extra months if they are totally miserable. It is such a hard decision to make and your story is such a reminder to all of us especially those dealing with the elderly.

My prayers are with you, Izzabella

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