Curious about this...have any of you decided to not have chemo, not have a collectomy or any medical treatment for your disease? Whether it be for religious, moral or personal reasons...have any of you just said, 'ok, this is my destiny and I will follow it through...'
Hubby and I were discussing it and I infromed him that I would refuse chemo if I ever have to go through it again.
I just know personally that I cannot do it again.
Sharon

I was diagnosed with low grade dysplasia in April, so far no surgery but I do know it is in my future. I def. don't want to go thru chemo!!

I think Farah Faucett opted not to have radical enough treatment, at least in the beginning. Did you ever see her documentary? So sad.

I think it depends on the age of you and whats at home. Like for me--If I got real sick again and my girl was just young I think I would have surgery but if not--I'd let 'nature' have its way. Only I can't bear to be in pain...

I've spent a lifetime fighting for health and I am not very sure that if I had to go through it agian that I would make the same choices...I am over 50 and do not have kids of my own...inspite of the relationship that I have with the step-kids and grand kids I know that if hubby would not be around that no one would care for me...and I do not think that I would want to fight alone and for no one...I am not a great believer in life at any cost...I guess that we all have our cut-off points.
Just some random thoughts.
Sharon

I don't believe in life at any cost either sharon. I mean I once 'miscarried' a baby. More to that story but leave it at she was born live at 17 weeks and unable to live and I was torn up that she wouldn't have held on til 20 when they would have at least tried. But so young the babies suffer. And suffering hurts. You and I would know. My cutoff is the dr.kervorkian (sp?) stuff...I don't believe in ending life but have already decided that I will wear the band if its ever ask: DNR...DO NOT RECUSCITATE



In fact I sometimes even wonder why HE allowed me to live this go round. Lifes hard. But for my girl...

Magic,
I am so sorry for you and the baby, I know how it hurts...I was never lucky enough to make it to 'birth' but had 6 known pregnancies and miscarriages...Maybe God in all his mercy was trying to protect me and the babies from a worse destiny.
At 19 when they did my 2nd k pouch surgery (5th surgery that year), I had my lawyer write a living will and a 'do not ressuitate & withhold all acitive treatment' order, knowing in my heart that I was too tired to fight anymore and did not wish to be hooked up to machines. That surgery I woke up in O.R., went into arrest and came back...Spent the next 10days in I.C.U...and had to be reopperated on to finish the procedure that was interupted...I understood what dying was and that I was not afraid of it.
It was not, unfortunately for me, a life changing experience...either way, life went on. I am 50+ now, my pouch is so terribly fragile & my valve is hanging half way out of my pouch...I don't think that I will really have the courage or the money to have another one done when the time comes, and it will...so I am trying to figure out where I am with my healthcare and where I can go...without going to extreme measures... I have had, fought and won the battle against cancer in my 20's and I don't want to do that again either.
I have lost much lately, my autonomy, my career, most of my bioligical family & friends and my apt. That said, I am not depressed or despondant, just curious about my future and what is and isn't worth fighting for.
I see the 'Insurance Doctor' who will decide tomorrow if I am handicapped enough to finally qualify for some sort of pension because I have barely earned a cent in the last 2 yrs and am drowning in bills.
Treatment, very soon, wether I like it or not will no longer be an option but a luxury.
Sharon
ps. France is a true believer in euthenasia...they do it but do not talk about it or advertise it.

Sharon, I hope all goes well tomorrow and you receive the the pension. I thought France was one of the countries where everyone is insured, like Canada and Sweden. Is health care rationed?

You are a wonderful person and the "Dear Abby" of this site. You are loving and caring, not to mention funny and delightful.

You have been through so much and are still here for a reason. Money and possessions don't make a person. The lack of security is horrible. We have been going through some of that too. Last week my husband's former employer, he's retired, called and asked him to come back to consult P.T. It is like manna from Heaven.

Sorry, it's not about me. I'm trying to say that we don't know what is around the corner.

Sorry if I sound preachy. You have been here for me for 10 months and I have appreciated all of your wisdom.

Hey, you are a good writer - maybe you could write a juicy book, just change the names and places, lol.

Thanks Tough,
Yes, there is health care here but my surgeon is in Toronto! So I have to pay privately to bring him here or to go there...expensive. Hubby is 65 and at the end of a not so prosperous career and he can't quit until I start earning...hard for him, he works a 60hr week.
I wrote the book...I am now looking for a publisher...know any?
Sharon
ps...it went well with the doc...now we wait and see.

I knew you could write a book. I know a retired head of a publishing co. Have not talked to her since I sold my business and she was no longer my client - I hope she is still alive.

I want to read it!

I kept working after my husband elected early retirement. He started working a little for the company he retired from last week, which is a relief as I haven't worked in 18 months. Suprising where you learn to cut corners.

Sorry everyone, I got off topic.

Sharon,
Just because you have biological children does not mean that they will care for you. Mine already told me that they will put me in a nursing home. I am still sorry about your personal losses. BTW, Great new picture of you!
Susan

I like your new pic too Sharon

Thanks girls, It was time to take the HOlloween horns off of my head!
This is the new, mature looking me!
Tough, can you PM me if you find the name and contact with the editor? I am a very couragous woman for everyone but myself...scared to death to contact an editor without an intro!
Sharon

I PM'd you about the publisher.

I had stage one cancer and was told my colon had to come out yada yada yada

I refused for awhile and went to many surgeons, doctors and a teaching school.

In the end I had surgery, I was told they would not know until I had everything removed if I would need chemo/rads. I just didn't want to go through surgery period. I did not want the pain, complication, etc. In the end I did it because my husband and mom. I knew leaving them would be too hard and it became to emotionally difficult to deal with. I hope I don't regret my decision down the road.

In the end it is up to you. You drive the bus.