Quality or Quantity
We make so many decisions as patients and care-givers, going through the cancer experience. Decisions on treatment, choices of doctors, what cancer center is the best place for care? It’s stressful and puts so much added pressure on each of us.
One of the hardest of these, comes late in the game, when the disease has spread and the body begins to show signs that it just can’t carry the weight of the cancer much longer.
Your doctor has been with you in this fight every step of the way, and has suggestions that might mean buying a little more time. But deep down you begin to question is time the most important part of this fight, or is the quality of life left to live more important now?
There is no simple answer to this question. It’s a tough conversation to have and it’s one of the parts of cancer world many of us have been forced to endure. No more treatment means exactly what it implies; end of life is near. How could you possibly choose this option? The simplest way to explain it; you hope for an easing of side effects, you hope for better days, for as long as those days last.
You hope for a little bit of peace.
Quality over quantity.
June 26, 2012 @ 11:27 pm
I think the quality of their work that can convenience their patients that they are making this even though it impossible to help their patients.
June 26, 2012 @ 6:45 pm
Knowing what I do about cancer treatment, I have to respect a person who says “no thank you” to any and/or more treatment. People just get worn out. For others, nothing seems to work. I saw someone this weekend who is trying so hard to fight the return of lung cancer, but the doctors have had to stop treatment with the hope to resume again. The reality that death may beat the doctors just hung in the air around us. Laurie–sending up prayers for your friend, Pam. Friends make the quality of life a lot better, even when sharing sad times.
June 26, 2012 @ 3:52 pm
Sorry to read your post Laurie and know that your friend’s mother has had to make the choice. There is no right choice nor wrong one but just the one that she feels is the best for her. Maybe that sounds selfish but it isn’t. Takes courage and in my opinion is selfless. I wish her all the best…..many good days….time to say what should be said…build some more memories until her time comes. May she go peacefully into the arms of God.
June 26, 2012 @ 1:11 am
My best friend Pam, in KS, sent a text the other day. Her mom has advanced stages of lung cancer. I know exactly how she is feeling. I know exactly why she couldn’t pick up the phone to tell me.. I know it’s taken her breath away. The difference, this is her mom and her mom said no to any chemo. Her mom understands the quality of life, the few remaining months, weeks, days are important to her.
I keep rehearsing what I am going to say when we finally talk… when that time comes, i am sure I won’t have a clue but the words will come. I’ve been there, I know the pain, I know the fight and I know exactly what Pam and her dad are going to feel. It’s going to be devastating, no matter how it plays out. And she knows I know….and she knows I will be here for her to help ease her through this and help her to breath….. it just sucks! My dear family, again…please keep them in your prayers….