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Chemo

scatlett
Posts: 9
Joined: Mar 2004
Apr 28, 2004 - 8:34 am

I was just told my dad needs chemo. I understand that there are several different kinds of chemo some harsher than others. I was not happy (I don't want him to go through that) but happy that we have a CHANCE to kill it. Then I get an e-mail from my cousin and now I'm panicking again. Here is what she said "I am totally opposed to the chemo. I think the chemo is deadly. Just the word alone –CHEMO-SHORT FOR CHEMICAL…CHEMICAL THERAPY-doesn’t sound very helpful to me. It kills the good and the bad and an unhealthy body cannot reproduce the “good” back into the body. Chemo mutilates the heart. You can die from Chemo. If the Doctor’s plan on choosing his type of chemo-Malcolm needs to choose which one he wants because the odds of it helping him are slim no matter if a skilled professional or a construction worker chooses the proper chemo. My friend just went through it with her mother. Died from Chemo, complication with her heart. $120,000. Worth of medical expenses and they only started out doing it once per month and then once bi-weekly and then on her death bed, still pumping the poison into her body-ON HER DEATH BED-I guess they had to reach that “$120 grand” mark of medical bills before they killed her. That’s my opinion-I don’t want any part of that."

So what to do? Any advice please?????

I can't really keep checking this site all day for a reply so please if you want to reply please e-mail me at scatlett@bode.com. Thanks for any advice. Also, I've heard that chemo for prostate cancer is not like the other chemos? Is that true. Anyone know?
nutt
Posts: 140
 Joined: Sep 2001
Apr 28, 2004 - 9:24 am
Re: Chemo

Scatlett- I have responded on the ACS site for two reasons verse sending you a private one;
1. it (the site) was developed for all of our members to be able to read and pickup little bits of information/support that may be helpful to them.
2. you have time to read your emails - access to this site doesn't take much more time does it?

Now, Firstly, it is not your cousin that has cancer.
Secondly, WHAT if anything does your cousin offer as an alternative?
Thirdly, what are your dads options if he does nothing?
Fourthly,dependng on his age (?) and otherwise health condition are also decision factors HE has to decide on.
As for the effects of chemial therapy -- LIFE has side effects also, one is that it typically doesn't go on for ever so your dad needs to consider his quality of life, not the rantings of your cousin who has not offered any alternatives?
Your are comparing your friends case to your dads and missing the point possibly? Your friend chose to fight the disease and all other possible factors, age, health, existing heart weakness etc... may not be exactly as your dads.
Don't know if any of this has helped but that is why we post on this site so others can pickup another viewpoint of the issue being discussed.

BOTTOM LINE- your dad had to decide what is best for HIM and the family needs to support him and not carp/complain unless they have some alternatives for him to consider.
Hang in there and god bless.
Joe <