This makes me so mad...

chynabear

Teen Refusing Cancer Treatment

This 16 year old boy has had cancer; fought with chemo; had more cancer. He has decided to try an alternative approach with nutrition and supplements and is working with a clinic in Mexico to cure him because of the effects he has had with chemo previously.

The courts have decided that they need to intervene and are trying to FORCE him to take chemo and radiation and is threatening to take him away from his supportive and loving parents.

You will have to copy and paste the link. I found the link on msn.com if it doesn't work.

Disgusted,

Patricia

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=1DA62891-2B01-4661-B59A-01651ECF42D5,8A9917D0-A08A-4632-B810-7377B5BCE4E3,1D64243E-2A5D-443F-9AEE-7FD613C31217,C54FCAB3-7E57-4CD9-8383-EDE5B1198700&t=c150&f=06/64&p=>1=8307

spongebob

With ya, Patricia. Saw something about this a while back. Unbelievable. Talk about the government messing with people's free will.

KathiM

WHO is behind the court? Is he a ward of the state?
Sounds pretty awful to me!
Hugs, Kathi

chynabear

KathiM said:

WHO is behind the court? Is he a ward of the state?
Sounds pretty awful to me!
Hugs, Kathi

I *think* that if they do not abide by the judgement and do not give him chemo and radiation he will become a ward of the state and he and/or his parents will be subject to go to jail.

It's terrible, he may not be an adult because of his age, but he is probably more adult than any people twice his age. He (and his family) understand the risks and consequences and it should be their choice as to treatment.

Makes me sick.

Tricia

scouty

I am not familiar with the laws of Mexico but this sure is not a pretty picture. Makes you wonder how the "government" found out in the first place. A doctor's office had to "report" him for refusing the treatments. I find that very scary!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa P. who is very glad the US government didn't give a rats **** when she decided to try alternatives.

chynabear

scouty said:

I am not familiar with the laws of Mexico but this sure is not a pretty picture. Makes you wonder how the "government" found out in the first place. A doctor's office had to "report" him for refusing the treatments. I find that very scary!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa P. who is very glad the US government didn't give a rats **** when she decided to try alternatives.

I don't know exactly how the laws here work, but I suspect that where a "minor" is concerned... if the doctor "feels" that the parent is not making the best decision regarding any treatment for a child they have the "right" to report it as ... neglect or child abuse or something. Again, not too familiar, but I think it is something like this.

Lisa P. you knew the risks and consequences you had with the decisions you made and you were free to make that decision. I think it is sad that this "child" (and I use child lightly because of how mature and grown up he is and has to be) does not have that "right" to make that decision on his own... or that his parents don't have that right. It's just an outrage.

scouty

chynabear said:

I don't know exactly how the laws here work, but I suspect that where a "minor" is concerned... if the doctor "feels" that the parent is not making the best decision regarding any treatment for a child they have the "right" to report it as ... neglect or child abuse or something. Again, not too familiar, but I think it is something like this.

Lisa P. you knew the risks and consequences you had with the decisions you made and you were free to make that decision. I think it is sad that this "child" (and I use child lightly because of how mature and grown up he is and has to be) does not have that "right" to make that decision on his own... or that his parents don't have that right. It's just an outrage.

And I must say it was and continues to be one of the most difficult life decision I have ever had to make. BUT, I could and I am so thankful for that. I agree with you Patricia and hope that the publicity will help that wonderful young man.

Lisa P.

pink05

I saw this teenager with his father on a show on CNBC a couple of weeks ago. He seems very mature to make his own decision. Also, apparently his tumor is stable and he is not even on any chemo or radiation. He said he feels better and believes that the alternative treatments are working better than the chemo.

I met someone with a daughter who had leukemia when she was very young. She was in remission. She attributed her daughter's success to diet and supplements. However, years later it came back. The mother said she did not want to go to their oncologist and let him know what was going on because she didn't want her daughter to have chemo and wanted to treat her cancer with alternative treatments once again. She was afraid that if she would have taken her daughter to the oncologist, he would have reported her as being negligent. Well, she never did go back to the onc and once again, her daughter is in remission due to the alternative treatments.

I work with children who have disabilities. You wouldn't believe how much effort it takes to get Child Protective Services to investigate horrible living situations and reported abuse of some of the children I work with-yet this able minded young man who just wants to treat his cancer with alternative means rather than toxic chemo may become a ward of the state. It's not like the kid is being abused by his parents!!! Why doesn't the government focus on children who really are being abused and neglected?

KathiM

chynabear said:

I *think* that if they do not abide by the judgement and do not give him chemo and radiation he will become a ward of the state and he and/or his parents will be subject to go to jail.

It's terrible, he may not be an adult because of his age, but he is probably more adult than any people twice his age. He (and his family) understand the risks and consequences and it should be their choice as to treatment.

Makes me sick.

Tricia

I agree, Tricia...the government should find other people to go after....
Hugs, Kathi

RunnerZ

Well, I guess we can always use some dissent in the crowd. I don't know all the details of this particualr case, but there are some childhood cancers that are almost a certain cure with traditional treatment (e.g., Hodgkins Disease), and yet those treatments are withheld from those children by parents who are not believers in traditional medicine. We ALL have the right to choose our health path as an adult, but as children...it is different. A 16 year old can't sign up for the Army, can't drink alcohol, can't get married (in this state-at least without parental consent). What makes us think they are ready for medical decisions that may determine their destiny. While I certainly believe that non-traditional medicine has a role in the treatment of cancer, it is not perfect (and neither is traditional medicine). However, for certain cancers (i.e., testicular cancer), cure is almost certain with new chemotherapies...and a death sentence is the likely alternative. If the chemotherapy and radiation for this boy is merley palliative and not considered possibly curative, then I may agree more with all of you. If the treatments are potentially curative, then, until he is 18 and an adult, we as a society have some duty toward this child. I rarely chime in on these debates...and mostly just love to read posts from all of us who survive and thrive while living with cancer. Don't mean to offend anyone, and I respect your personal opinions wholeheartedly. However, as an almost 8 year survivor who was cured by radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, I feel some responsibility to readers.

RunnerZ

Well, I guess we can always use some dissent in the crowd. I don't know all the details of this particualr case, but there are some childhood cancers that are almost a certain cure with traditional treatment (e.g., Hodgkins Disease), and yet those treatments are withheld from those children by parents who are not believers in traditional medicine. We ALL have the right to choose our health path as an adult, but as children...it is different. A 16 year old can't sign up for the Army, can't drink alcohol, can't get married (in this state-at least without parental consent). What makes us think they are ready for medical decisions that may determine their destiny. While I certainly believe that non-traditional medicine has a role in the treatment of cancer, it is not perfect (and neither is traditional medicine). However, for certain cancers (i.e., testicular cancer), cure is almost certain with new chemotherapies...and a death sentence is the likely alternative. If the chemotherapy and radiation for this boy is merley palliative and not considered possibly curative, then I may agree more with all of you. If the treatments are potentially curative, then, until he is 18 and an adult, we as a society have some duty toward this child. I rarely chime in on these debates...and mostly just love to read posts from all of us who survive and thrive while living with cancer. Don't mean to offend anyone, and I respect your personal opinions wholeheartedly. However, as an almost 8 year survivor who was cured by radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, I feel some responsibility to readers.

chynabear

RunnerZ said:

Well, I guess we can always use some dissent in the crowd. I don't know all the details of this particualr case, but there are some childhood cancers that are almost a certain cure with traditional treatment (e.g., Hodgkins Disease), and yet those treatments are withheld from those children by parents who are not believers in traditional medicine. We ALL have the right to choose our health path as an adult, but as children...it is different. A 16 year old can't sign up for the Army, can't drink alcohol, can't get married (in this state-at least without parental consent). What makes us think they are ready for medical decisions that may determine their destiny. While I certainly believe that non-traditional medicine has a role in the treatment of cancer, it is not perfect (and neither is traditional medicine). However, for certain cancers (i.e., testicular cancer), cure is almost certain with new chemotherapies...and a death sentence is the likely alternative. If the chemotherapy and radiation for this boy is merley palliative and not considered possibly curative, then I may agree more with all of you. If the treatments are potentially curative, then, until he is 18 and an adult, we as a society have some duty toward this child. I rarely chime in on these debates...and mostly just love to read posts from all of us who survive and thrive while living with cancer. Don't mean to offend anyone, and I respect your personal opinions wholeheartedly. However, as an almost 8 year survivor who was cured by radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, I feel some responsibility to readers.

I am in no way offenced and appreciate your opinion, RunnerZ. In fact, I am freequently inspired and impressed by you (and many others on this board).

I can agree with you to a certain extent. In this case, however, Chemo and Radiation did not cure him and nearly killed him during treatment the first time... why should they feel a second poisoning would net any better results?

I think that this 16 year old is more mature than most other 16 year olds and should have some say in his treatment. I don't think that the parents or the child have came to the decision they have all by themselves. I'm certain that they have been through much research and discussion to come to a combined decision. Whether I agree with that decision or not, I believe that they are entitled to their own decision and opinion. I have also had some experience in alternative medicines and personally believe that nutrition plays a large roll in our health. I feel a HUGE difference in how my body performs when I eat healthy. It only makes sense (to me) that it plays a huge roll in cancer as well.

As it has been discussed on this board and supported by some experts, the cure "chemo and radiation" can and does sometimes kill the patient instead of making them better. Also, it makes us vulnerable to other cancers and conditions. They've tried the chemo route and it didn't work for them.

I believe that they have done their research and have decided and "belive in" this method of approach. If he were only two years older, this wouldn't even be an issue.

I think this could be a very controversial subject and there are probably many arguements for both sides. I think that each case needs to be dealt with individually for a good decision to be made.

Just out of curiousity, RunnerZ, how much of a role do you believe that chemo and radiation played in your health? In my case, I believe that the surgery cured me and I'll never know if the chemo did harm or good. It will always make me wonder. I suppose that each person is different in how much chemo and radiation plays in their treatment. I suppose this "question" is why it is so difficult to make the decision on treatment plans.

RunnerZ

chynabear said:

I am in no way offenced and appreciate your opinion, RunnerZ. In fact, I am freequently inspired and impressed by you (and many others on this board).

I can agree with you to a certain extent. In this case, however, Chemo and Radiation did not cure him and nearly killed him during treatment the first time... why should they feel a second poisoning would net any better results?

I think that this 16 year old is more mature than most other 16 year olds and should have some say in his treatment. I don't think that the parents or the child have came to the decision they have all by themselves. I'm certain that they have been through much research and discussion to come to a combined decision. Whether I agree with that decision or not, I believe that they are entitled to their own decision and opinion. I have also had some experience in alternative medicines and personally believe that nutrition plays a large roll in our health. I feel a HUGE difference in how my body performs when I eat healthy. It only makes sense (to me) that it plays a huge roll in cancer as well.

As it has been discussed on this board and supported by some experts, the cure "chemo and radiation" can and does sometimes kill the patient instead of making them better. Also, it makes us vulnerable to other cancers and conditions. They've tried the chemo route and it didn't work for them.

I believe that they have done their research and have decided and "belive in" this method of approach. If he were only two years older, this wouldn't even be an issue.

I think this could be a very controversial subject and there are probably many arguements for both sides. I think that each case needs to be dealt with individually for a good decision to be made.

Just out of curiousity, RunnerZ, how much of a role do you believe that chemo and radiation played in your health? In my case, I believe that the surgery cured me and I'll never know if the chemo did harm or good. It will always make me wonder. I suppose that each person is different in how much chemo and radiation plays in their treatment. I suppose this "question" is why it is so difficult to make the decision on treatment plans.

Patricia,
I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer at the age of 36 in 1999. The preoperative chemotheray and radiation actually wiped out the tumor completely, allowing me to not have a colostomy. They still perfomed surgery because of my young age (it was during surgery that the pathology report found no cancerous cells). Then I had chemotherapy as a follow-up. I also believe in good nutrition and good health, although moderation in all things (other than excercise which we almost never get enough of) is key. chemotherapy and radiaiton were difficult and uncomfortable and I know that there are some risks associated with them. But, in my type of cancer, they are good medicine and I am living proof of that. Absent the preoperative cocktail I would have a colostomy (not the end of the world at all...but it is nice to have my plumbing!). And remember, lance Armstrong... cured by the newest chemotherapy agent for testicular cancer. For some cancers and some stages of those cancers, alternative medicine can be misguided (I feel). I STRONGLY feel that combining traditional and non-traditional medicine, depending upon the circumstances, is pivotal. I would caution that any cancer treatment in Mexico is suspect, at best.

HowardJ

RunnerZ said:

Well, I guess we can always use some dissent in the crowd. I don't know all the details of this particualr case, but there are some childhood cancers that are almost a certain cure with traditional treatment (e.g., Hodgkins Disease), and yet those treatments are withheld from those children by parents who are not believers in traditional medicine. We ALL have the right to choose our health path as an adult, but as children...it is different. A 16 year old can't sign up for the Army, can't drink alcohol, can't get married (in this state-at least without parental consent). What makes us think they are ready for medical decisions that may determine their destiny. While I certainly believe that non-traditional medicine has a role in the treatment of cancer, it is not perfect (and neither is traditional medicine). However, for certain cancers (i.e., testicular cancer), cure is almost certain with new chemotherapies...and a death sentence is the likely alternative. If the chemotherapy and radiation for this boy is merley palliative and not considered possibly curative, then I may agree more with all of you. If the treatments are potentially curative, then, until he is 18 and an adult, we as a society have some duty toward this child. I rarely chime in on these debates...and mostly just love to read posts from all of us who survive and thrive while living with cancer. Don't mean to offend anyone, and I respect your personal opinions wholeheartedly. However, as an almost 8 year survivor who was cured by radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, I feel some responsibility to readers.

I guess I'm a dissenter too. I saw a brief clip on this on the Today show. Yes, the boy is very articulate and mature. He said he did his research and read testimonials (not scientifically valid), and met patients who used this "treatment". He also said he "feels great". The report mentioned, however, that since he stopped "regular" treatment his tumor has grown. As Runner said, Hodgkins Disease (which this child has) has a high cure rate with conventional therapy.

Howard

Howard

kerry

RunnerZ said:

Patricia,
I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer at the age of 36 in 1999. The preoperative chemotheray and radiation actually wiped out the tumor completely, allowing me to not have a colostomy. They still perfomed surgery because of my young age (it was during surgery that the pathology report found no cancerous cells). Then I had chemotherapy as a follow-up. I also believe in good nutrition and good health, although moderation in all things (other than excercise which we almost never get enough of) is key. chemotherapy and radiaiton were difficult and uncomfortable and I know that there are some risks associated with them. But, in my type of cancer, they are good medicine and I am living proof of that. Absent the preoperative cocktail I would have a colostomy (not the end of the world at all...but it is nice to have my plumbing!). And remember, lance Armstrong... cured by the newest chemotherapy agent for testicular cancer. For some cancers and some stages of those cancers, alternative medicine can be misguided (I feel). I STRONGLY feel that combining traditional and non-traditional medicine, depending upon the circumstances, is pivotal. I would caution that any cancer treatment in Mexico is suspect, at best.

Thank you RunnerZ - I was trying to avoid this conversation, but you have dissented so well. I agree with you.

Kerry

scouty

RunnerZ said:

Patricia,
I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer at the age of 36 in 1999. The preoperative chemotheray and radiation actually wiped out the tumor completely, allowing me to not have a colostomy. They still perfomed surgery because of my young age (it was during surgery that the pathology report found no cancerous cells). Then I had chemotherapy as a follow-up. I also believe in good nutrition and good health, although moderation in all things (other than excercise which we almost never get enough of) is key. chemotherapy and radiaiton were difficult and uncomfortable and I know that there are some risks associated with them. But, in my type of cancer, they are good medicine and I am living proof of that. Absent the preoperative cocktail I would have a colostomy (not the end of the world at all...but it is nice to have my plumbing!). And remember, lance Armstrong... cured by the newest chemotherapy agent for testicular cancer. For some cancers and some stages of those cancers, alternative medicine can be misguided (I feel). I STRONGLY feel that combining traditional and non-traditional medicine, depending upon the circumstances, is pivotal. I would caution that any cancer treatment in Mexico is suspect, at best.

Hi Runner,

I hesitated to respond to your message but since you mentioned Lance, I had to.

When he had his surgery for his brain tumors, the docs found all the cells to be dead and he had not had one single treatment. BUT, he was eating an all organic and natural diet. His mother actually stayed in Indianapolis while he got his chemo treatments (1 week a month for 3 months on a brand spanking new drug that I would never have had access to, but he was famous and had connected friends) and did all his cooking, only free range chickens and other "healthy foods". He mentions in his second book that his wife (at the time) only bought produce at Whole Foods (a health food supermarket). If you followed him at all during his successful tour rides, you know he took lots of supplements and diet was key to his successes, including being alive.

I think you are right about combining the best of both worlds for improved health and wellness and that some cancers respond to alternatives better then others, but why don't we know exactly which ones and how?????????

I really do not want anyone to go thru the hell I have in the last 3 years (stage 4, currently NED) and hope and pray things change very soon.

Lisa P.

PS. If my cancer comes back, I will look into Mexico treatments with the same considerations as the US poisons. Faith and belief in your choice of treatment is HUGE, no matter the choices!!!!!!!!!