17-year-old with cancer forced to undergo chemo

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Comments

  • Aafke
    Aafke Posts: 1,219
    rgambs wrote: »
    Aafke, teenagers absolutely DO make life or death choices lightly! Teenagers are notorious for holding the belief that "it won't happen to me" when confronted with serious consequences...hence teen pregnancy, STD's, fast driving, binge drinking, and a litany of risky behaviors.
    T

    Yes, I know teenagers make life or death choices lightly, as long as they believe they're invincible. I didn't think this was the case up until the indeed shocking ignorance of this girl and her mom, became clear to me. I was referring to seriously sick teens, who understand their sickness, and willingly choose to not get treated, for a disease where they will die from, if not treated.

    I've witnessed some teens make these kind of choices, and have the greatest respect for them.
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  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    Great post, gambs.

    In the end, the issue of this choice being made by the government is where my worry lies.
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    paulonious wrote: »
    Godfather. wrote: »
    in Sept. she can do as she wishes right ?
    that aside..at the age of 17 even 21 we've made choices we now wish haddn't right ? if this were my child I don't believe I would let her refuse the treatment because there is so much she does not understand at that age, life has so much to offer..things she is not even aware of yet.
    are there any 17- 18 year olds out there ? or anybody with children that age ? what would you do ?

    Godfather.

    I personally can't imagine supporting my child's wish to die when there is a good chance she would be cured and would live a full life. that is just beyond my capacity. Not sure how I would force her, but I'd do my best. Hold interventions with friends and family or something.

    to me that's like supporting your child's wish for suicide. they are mentally ill, refuse medical treatment because of what the meds do to them, so they tell you they want to kill themselves, and the parent says "ok"?

    fully agree.

    Godfather.

  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 40,014
    I didn't realize the mother is convinced the daughter wont die. That actually changes everything.
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  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    It makes you wonder what kind of kooky belief system they have.
    Probably think all she needs is raw veggies and coffee enemas. Or prayer.
    :-?
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  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    I've read only a bit beyond the initial (lacking) article; again - and maybe it colored my view? - I was focusing more on the prospect of choice taken away...by which I still stand.

    Suppose I should search out more information on this particular instance.
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    hedonist wrote: »
    I've read only a bit beyond the initial (lacking) article; again - and maybe it colored my view? - I was focusing more on the prospect of choice taken away...by which I still stand.

    Suppose I should search out more information on this particular instance.
    Hedonist, you are absolute right that the issue of choice being taken away rightly causes concern. I think this is one of those unfortunate situations where there is no unequivocally good choice that would satisfy everyone. The court's choice in this case doesn't feel great but the alternative feels even worse. Those tough cases where human rights and autonomy bump up against care for people who might not be competent to care for themselves are always difficult.
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  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003

    oftenreading wrote: »
    catefrances wrote: »
    oftenreading wrote: »
    catefrances wrote: »
    if she were my daughter(I have a 16 year old) I would stand by her totally compus decision to refuse treatment. and then wed go live in the woods so that the authorities couldn't usurp her sovereignty over her own body.

    What would you do if she was not making a "totally compus" decision?

    well knowing her as I do thered be no doubt in my mind after having everything laid out before her that the decision she made would be nothing but.

    Well, but the question wasn't really "do you think your child would make a competent decision?", it was "what would you do if she weren't?".

    There are a few different reasons why someone might not be competent to make that decision. Cognitive immaturity would be one potential reason, but 17 is also in the ballpark of prime age for development of serious mental illness.

    then I would use my parental rights and refuse treatment on her behalf. Simple.
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  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Winnipeg Posts: 40,014
    honestly, with the mother believing the child will be ok without treatment, I am airing on the side of the courts here. but it's obviously not black and white.
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • PearlJam24
    PearlJam24 Posts: 340
    Last-12-Exit wrote: »
    Her decision. 100%. 17 is old enough to make that choice.

    I'm just curious, not attacking your opinion or anything. I just want to understand your thoughts as a father. You said you have a 13 year old daughter. If she was 17 and was told she needed chemo to continue living, and the chances of it saving her life are pretty high, would you be ok with her saying no, she doesn't want to do it? Could you stand by and watch her die a painful death knowing that there is a great chance she would be healthy if she would have just taken the chemo?

    Call me what you want, but I couldn't let my daughter give up that easily at 17. Yes there's a chance the chemo might not work but in my opinion, the chance has to be taken. There is so much to live for and if she decided not to do it, I would spend the rest of my life wondering what if...

    Peace
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,910
    Well at any rate, the 11 year old aboriginal girl whose family refused chemotherapy after a few treatments died, and the parents are blaming her death on the little chemotherapy she did get before they decided to stop all modern treatment methods. :-<
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • oftenreading
    oftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,856
    PJ_Soul wrote: »
    Well at any rate, the 11 year old aboriginal girl whose family refused chemotherapy after a few treatments died, and the parents are blaming her death on the little chemotherapy she did get before they decided to stop all modern treatment methods. :-<

    Yes, I read about that - so terribly sad. According to the family she didn't die of cancer, she died of "western medicine".
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf

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