First Nations girl chooses traditional medicine over chemo

[Twila]

Why should adults be the only ones that get to die with dignity.

well we don't really even get to do that yet. Humans love to watch other humans suffer. Some have even managed to turn it into a religious thimg and attempt to coerce people into believing a fictional creature that is all powerful and all controlling wants you to suffer badly so you can die and then go to some mythical place and hang out for eternity with the creature that wanted you to suffer until death in the first place. Sounds sadistic to me.

 

[captain morgan]

There are many types of treatments for cancer. The patient is told about them, the doctor gives his professional advice and the patient is left to make the decision of what type they'll seek, if any. Their choice.

In this case the family has been consulted on the various methods of treating this particular cancer and they, as a family have made their choice.

What is most disturbing about this entire issue is that there are 3rd parties that believe they have the moral authority to override the wishes of the girl and her family. In effect, they are using the system to force a treatment upon this girl despite their interests in pursuing other avenues.

When you really boil it down, for all the money that has been funneled into cancer research, they have not made any real progress in that field. That said, who in the hell do these Doctors and Child Services think they are in forcing chemo on this girl?

 

[SLM]

Why should adults be the only ones that get to die with dignity.

Not even adults get to do that yet, not really.

And to be really clear, I also think each individual case or situation needs to be thoroughly assessed on it's own merits to be sure. But, in certain cases, I completely agree with you. Invasive and quite toxic procedures, such as chemo, need to be carefully considered, particularly in cases where the outcome is inevitable. Gaining 2 or 4 more years may sound great, but at what cost does it become not such a great thing.

I remember when my mother was diagnosed with her tumor, the notion of "cancer" well it frightened me. And I distinctly remember someone saying to me that often, not always but often, when the body is naturally shutting down even in the case of some cancers, being as non invasive as possible is preferred because it can lead to a more peaceful passing. Now, again, some cases and may lead, but just thinking of it from that perspective, which was a new perspective for me, made it really sink home. Sometimes fighting to live at all costs may not be the best or right course of action.

 

[JLM]

I think a lot of people are bothered by the possible finality of death!

 

[Twila]

What is most disturbing about this entire issue is that there are 3rd parties that believe they have the moral authority to override the wishes of the girl and her family.

This is the part that gets me too. I suspect I know what the underlying "reasoning" is. I think the word starts with R.

 

[CDNBear]

Not even adults get to do that yet, not really.

Oh I know, I was just reminiscing about the young lady in the States planning her own passing and the support she got on this very site, by people who don't have the same feelings about this young girl.

And to be really clear, I also think each individual case or situation needs to be thoroughly assessed on it's own merits to be sure.

After giving it some thought, I can agree with that. I initially didn't.

I remember when my mother was diagnosed with her tumor, the notion of "cancer" well it frightened me. And I distinctly remember someone saying to me that often, not always but often, when the body is naturally shutting down even in the case of some cancers, being as non invasive as possible is preferred because it can lead to a more peaceful passing. Now, again, some cases and may lead, but just thinking of it from that perspective, which was a new perspective for me, made it really sink home. Sometimes fighting to live at all costs may not be the best or right course of action.

I agree.

This is the part that gets me too. I suspect I know what the underlying "reasoning" is. I think the word starts with R.

Retards?

 

[Twila]

I think a lot of people are bothered by the possible finality of death!

We don't really talk about death or see much death. We are so afraid of death we've developed all kinds of fantasies to ease that fear.

 

[JLM]

Possibly the picture has been clouded (or not) by the promise of a 95% chance of cure.

 

[SLM]

Oh I know, I was just reminiscing about the young lady in the States planning her own passing and the support she got on this very site, by people who don't have the same feelings about this young girl.

From the beginning, I tried to look at it like "what if this was my child?". If this was my child, would I want to fight for her tooth and nail? You bet I would, and pity the individual who gets in my way. But then I asked myself, what if it was my child who was begging me to stop? Could I do that? Could I love my child enough to do that for them? Those are hard, hard questions and the answers don't come easy. But I would have to take that to be a large part of the consideration of all the factors.

But yes, if my child were absolutely terminally diagnosed as that young woman in the States, you'd better believe I would move heaven and earth to see that my child was able to pass as peacefully and with as much dignity as possible.

After giving it some thought, I can agree with that. I initially didn't.

It's just that fear plays such a large role and when we are literally talking about life and death, then we must take the time to assess each case differently. What you or I may do, as a gesture of love for our child, may indeed be depraved indifference on the part of someone else. I mean, there are people out there who don't provide the basic necessities of life to their children, so we can't be so naive as to think that everyone loves their children and has their best interests at heart the way we do.

 

[Twila]

Retards?

k, there are a few R words that fit. That ones as good and truthful as the one I was thinking.

Possibly the picture has been clouded (or not) by the promise of a 95% chance of cure.

That and nobody in the media talks about the secondary cancers caused by certain acceptable treatements.

 

[taxslave]

k, there are a few R words that fit. That ones as good and truthful as the one I was thinking.



That and nobody in the media talks about the secondary cancers caused by certain acceptable treatements.

I was thinking religion but that is close enough.

 

[JLM]

k, there are a few R words that fit. That ones as good and truthful as the one I was thinking.

"Rationalization"?

 

[SLM]

That and nobody in the media talks about the secondary cancers caused by certain acceptable treatements.

Liability fears play a huge, huge role in what treatments are pursued and why they are pursued so aggressively.

 

[CDNBear]

That and nobody in the media talks about the secondary cancers caused by certain acceptable treatements.

Or the absolute misery, long term complications, and pain, oft associated with it.

I've been close to almost half a dozen people who I watched go through it. Not one went unscathed. All suffered long term complications, ranging from gastrointestinal issues to bone deterioration. 4 of which, survived, only to succumb to cancer again, and not able to fight again.

 

[Canbyte]

Aboriginal rights - Traditional Healing

Ontario Judge Gethin Edward ruled in favour of a First Nations girl and her family, who stopped chemotherapy to treat her acute lymphoblastic leukemia, choosing traditional medicine instead.

 

[CDNBear]

Re: Aboriginal rights - Traditional Healing

Ontario Judge Gethin Edward ruled in favour of a First Nations girl and her family, who stopped chemotherapy to treat her acute lymphoblastic leukemia, choosing traditional medicine instead.

Yes, we have threads on this already.

Your point?

 

[Canbyte]

Re: Aboriginal rights - Traditional Healing

Yes, we have threads on this already.

Your point?

Sorry CDNBear, have to learn to research better. Will post in future on existing thread - after reading!

 

[gerryh]

Re: Aboriginal rights - Traditional Healing

well then, I guess everyone and their dog can now use what ever mumbo jumbo they want to non treat their kids. Or is this more of the "non existent" special treatment for injuns.

 

[petros]

Re: Aboriginal rights - Traditional Healing

"Full and open access to the medicine chest" includes fringe therapies.

 

[gerryh]

Re: Aboriginal rights - Traditional Healing

"Full and open access to the medicine chest" includes fringe therapies.

for everyone?