My mother died on Sunday and she refused to participate in a clinical trial involving chemotherapy after trying it for 6 weeks. The doctor strongly suggested that she continue even though she gave it a 2% chance of it working. My mom said that one week after quitting it, she felt great whereas during the therapy, she said it felt like every cell in her body was sick and she felt like leaping out of it. By the way, after quitting she received a bill from the trial and was informed that only the "medicine" was free.
2007-10-17 00:00:37 · 13 answers · asked by dhkeys 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
I'm very sorry about the loss of your mother. This must be hard for you, especially with all the "what if" questions you are probably asking yourself.
I don't wish to sound as if I am lacking compassion, but whether to seek treatment or to allow nature to take it's course was a personal choice, one that belonged only to your mother. She had reasons for reaching her decision, and although you can't understand them now, I think that as you come to terms with her death your view may change on this matter.
I've always said that I will never take chemotherapy for cancer unless my odds of survival were better than 75%, and even with 3 children I stand by my choice. I don't want my final months to be spent dealing with the side effects of treatment, along with the illness itself. Your mother apparently felt the same way.
Just to let you know, I'm no stranger to chemotherapy. I have several autoimmune disorders, and I take chemo to control them. I know that's a contradiction to what I just said, but knowing that I don't have to battle for my life, and that I don't have all the discomfort that comes with cancer makes it easier for me to deal with my chemotherapy side effects.
Your mother made the choice which was right for her. Please try to find some peace in that, hard as it may be.
My heart goes out to your family, and I wish you only the best.
2007-10-17 00:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by iamnoone 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
There is never any guarantee with cancer treatment. Your mother was on a Clinical Trial which is considered experimental. The problem that your mother faced is exactly the reason that there is no easy 'cure' for cancer available. We ask our sickest patients to test new cancer drugs through a trial and error process . . this is the only way we can find new cancer treatments that may be successful. I am sorry that this did not work for your mother, but she understood the chance that she took when she agreed to go on the Clinical Trial. There is never any pressure for a patient to remain on a Clinical Trial so I am not sure what happened with your mother. If you feel the doctor acted inappropriately they can be reported to an ethics committee. Usually these types of Clinical Trials are conducted tightly.
Again, I am sorry for your loss. Your mother had had enough and that was the right decision for her. As for the bill received, I am not certain which trial she was on but generally insurance will cover the medical end of things and the clinical trial will cover the medicine portion. Incidentally, there are states in the US which require insurance companies to cover the cost of the Clinical Trial. If you are in the US check to see if your state has this requirement.
Clinical Trials: State Laws Regarding Insurance Coverage
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_6_2x_State_Laws_Regarding_Clinical_Trials.asp
2007-10-17 13:45:57 · answer #2 · answered by Panda 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry for your loss.
There really isn't any 'should' here; it's an individual choice.
I didn't want chemo but decided to go ahead because the possible percentage improvement was worth it. Had it been 2%, I wouldn't have gone ahead.
And I can foresee circumstances in which I may still choose to turn chemotherapy down. If my cancer became terminal and the chemo had a good chance of extending my life for a short period, I think I would turn it down. I would rather have less time, and a chance to enjoy some of it than chance it for the extra time and spend that time feeling exhausted and ill from chemo side-effects
But nobody really knows what they would do in such circumstances until it happens to them. Your mother made the right decision for her.
2007-10-17 01:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by lo_mcg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cancer treatment is hard stuff. It makes you completly miserable. Regardless of the percentage of chance of working, and some point you have to consider quality over quanity. I know people dont like that though, but its the truth.
As far as the expenses, I am surprised that even the meds were free. If she has already died, the most they can do is put a lien on her property, so you and your familty may need to quickly think about getting any houses cars or whatever out of her name
This is a hard time. I feel for you.
2007-10-17 04:13:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry for your loss. That decision was your mother's to make and hers alone. Not the doctor's nor yours. There's no point in second-guessing her decision.
Her decision was made factoring in quality of life as well as length. Too often modern medicine only cares about length of life. Some people would rather live a shorter amount of time feeling better, than a longer amount of time feeling worse.
2007-10-17 08:23:30 · answer #5 · answered by Ms. X 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My condolensces. About the therapy, you shouldnt dwell on things that could've been. Your mother was suffering from the side effects of the chemo, and no longer wanted to put her body through such much pain. This is what happens with this treatment. Really, I think she made the right decision in stopping, and maybe having the last days of her life in peace.
2007-10-17 00:08:02 · answer #6 · answered by Whole 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is a personal decision that only the individual can answer. My husband has been undergoing tests to determine if he has kidney cancer. We have discussed his options if the diagnosis is not good. Although I would love to tell him to do whatever is available to give us more time together I have told him that I would stand behind him no mattter what he chose. I completely understand wanting the end of your life to be as normal as possible and gradualy becoming sick as opposed to being thrown into constant pain and sickness. Although we share it with others our life is our own and when there is a terminal illness we should be allowed to follow it through to the end on our own terms.
2007-10-17 00:11:10 · answer #7 · answered by Marilyn T 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You should always try. My mom has liver and bone cancer that did metasis from Breast Cancer. We are always willing to try anything new. She just started this new treatment Avastin which she had to stop using it because it was way too strong but, at least we know she tried. Don't try to dwell on what you could and could have not done but, remember NEVER ever give up and always try. I am a true believer that you can heal yourself and a miracle can happen. The mind is very powerful and if you think your gonna die you are only going to speed up the process. I am so sorry about your mom!!!
2007-10-17 00:07:06 · answer #8 · answered by ME 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First of all sorry for your bereavement. She had the right to choose the treatment. If the alternative was near certain death, may be she could have tried the slim chance of 2%. But what has happened cannot be undone now.
2007-10-17 00:17:59 · answer #9 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have nothing to lose then yes, you should go for it. However there might be other procedures that could have a higher percentage that works (like removal by physical means).
On a side note I'm very sorry that your mother should pass away.
2007-10-17 00:06:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋