When does a patient decide enough is enough? Enough treatment; enough battling; just plain ENOUGH.
I was reading a story today about a twelve year-old boy who has been in the fight almost half his life. His cancer is a rare type and doctors have done an amazing job pushing it back time and time again. This youngster even had a slight remission period, between many surgeries and chemo rounds, but the disease, it seems, has found its way around the meds and it’s every where now and he…at the ripe old age of 12….has said “enough.”
There won’t be any more treatment. There will be time spent with his family. There will be time spent with friends. There will be hospice.
I remember when it happened in this house. But I never asked Leroy how he got to that place in his head. I wish I had because I’ve wondered about it for a long time.
How does a person get to the peaceful point in their fight, when they say “STOP.?”
March 1, 2012 @ 3:59 am
I just required some information and was searching on Google for it. I visited each page that came on first page and didn’t got any relevant result then I thought to check out the second one and got your blog. This is what I wanted!
February 24, 2012 @ 8:50 am
It is so hard for me to understand why this child has known nothing but pain and suffering. His courage is astounding.
February 23, 2012 @ 8:28 pm
After 5 or 6 months of chemo, i had a month or radiation and chemo every day, to be followed by another month of chemo(if memory serves me right), I had a moment on that last day of radiation where I’d had enough, I was sick, bloated, unable to eat and worn down. My body was saying no more, no more, and my mind almost went along. There just comes a point where body and mind agree, enough is enough.
This young man has shown the courage to fight many years, he has put up with the pain and the treatments. He has reached that time.
I hope he and his family can enjoy the time that is left to them. May they laugh and cry and speak of all things that need to be said.
May he and his family be blessed.
February 23, 2012 @ 7:04 pm
I’m not sure how one gets to that place but I do believe that it is a process. Fight or flight…we are programmed to do but there is only fight in the cancer world. Don’t you wish that flight was an option…..to fly away from reality to a place of peace, no stress, no pain, no sorrow but perhaps some regrets for things not done, words unspoken and the leaving…leaving of a spouse, kids, grand kids, friends, extended family, etc. would be so difficult and sad.
I believe that through our fights and struggles, pain and despair that we get to that place…a glorious, grace-filled place of peace where our spirit is free and can fly. In reading two books from a hospice nurse…Glimpses of Heaven and More Glimpses of Heaven…..there is such a place of peace if we open our hearts and souls to allow this peace to enter and the transition from life to death will occur without fear or pain for the one crossing over. At some time, we’ll all know first hand. But for the young boy, I pray that his journey will be one filled with love, remembrances, words spoken out loud and yes a joy for him to know that he’ll be OK when God’s guardian angels come to escort him home. May God care for, comfort and strengthen his parents, siblings and family. The pain of loss will be acute and lasting for some time.
He has fought the good fight for years. Now it is Ok to say..”.No More. It is time for me to rest and I am Ok with it.” An example of courage to be witnessed here. May God bless him.