Re: Teen battles state over cancer treatment

THe article in People indicated this young man had undergone chemo for Hodgkins disease that was brutal, with him loosing 34 pounds, down to 122 pounds on a 5' 11" frame. He was in remission for only two months. It's been agreed that these parents are "model parents" and this is not a religious issue and his father was quoted as saying he was "just a parent trying to wrestle with this enemy." The odds with recurrence drop to 50% using traditional chemo/radiation therapies. This young man sounds exceptionally bright and has been involved in his own care -- it's not a matter of his parents having made the decisions without his input all along.

I believe that in many instances, especially when "traditional" therapy has already been tried, people of any age or the guardians of youngsters need to make decisions based on what they have been through and what they feel is best for their loved one.

One needs to remember how chemo and radiation work -- it's toxic and destroying of cells -- and not of just cancer cells. Some treatments can be worse than the disease process.

If a person were to choose alternative therapies, they can always elect to enter treatment with chemo or radiation at a later date.

For what it's worth, we know of people who had remarkable success with alternative therapies. I can't explain it. I just know these people were considered doomed and they are free of disease for many years now.

That is not to say alternative medicine is the answer for everyone, but I do believe that if parents have taken good care of their children in all aspects of their life prior to such horrific circumstances, then they should be allowed to make decisions, not the courts.

In this particular case, I believe this young man is mature for his age and quite intelligent, and as a family they have a right to make their own decisions.

RaeMorrill wrote:
I saw this prior. I have mixed feelings on the topic. I believe it was non-Hodgkin lymphoma? (I didn't re-read it). If so, is that not generally a cancer with a good chance of cure? I'm not in favor of govt interfering in family decisions, but I also am not in favor of a child dying when a parent's religious beliefs require no intervention. ANy child brought up in that environment has been brainwashed into believing the same. They THINK they are making their own choices: they are not. However, if I recall correctly, this wasn't a religion-based reason. I don't think it is an easy call. If it was a cancer known to be virtually incurable, one thing compared to a cancer that is known to be easily cured.



Marsha wrote:

JulieW8 wrote:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/08/11/cancer.fight/index.html


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Mixed feelings, but I lean towards the boy's wishes. It's not like he's trying to avoid all treatment just so he can die. He's just seeking an alternative. Chemo and radiation are nasty, and they are no guarantee of a cure. As an aside, I don't believe a 16 year old should be allowed to work 40 hours a week, in addition to school, nor should they be allowed to marry.

Marsha/Ohio


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