are we better off not knowing?

johnnybegood said:

thank you

all so much this has given me some insight to my decision and i do trust all of your comments.that is a good point i know i am inoperable so maybe i will just go with the flow of chemo until my body says no.i have laid everything down at my Lords feet and i know He will ultimitly take care of me.i think if i found out that the cancer has shrunk but then also has spread more,then i will get more depressed and that is not a good thing(((HUGS))) to all...Godbless...johnnybegood

Oh, sweetie...I know how difficult it must be for you to decide.  I know that any major decision has to be made  individually...for some of us we want to have the knowledge so we can fight to the bitter end; for others, the ability to enjoy the time we have and not worry as much weighs in as the more valid choice. I guess I've had a slightly different experience with my cancer, as it relates to myself and my family and the decisions regarding quality of life and what options there were.  First of all, my older brother (by a year and a half) was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer with mets in late 2010; he was determined to fight but did not want to know how fast the cancer was spreading, and he did not want to give anything up in the meantime.  The doctors recommended radiation to reduce the size of the spots so he could get surgery but he refused radiation; instead he chose to paint his living room or  go for a bike ride, or write in his blog..He did, however, receive Chemotherapy, which helped to an extent, but each treatment was harder and harder on his body. When he was diagnosed, he was almost 200 lbs.  In September of 2011 he was done to 148.  The disease progressed to the extent that he lost his voice, he was unable to care for himself (so he moved in with us), and eventually it took his life.  The last treatment he was scheduled to go to we all discussed the options with his oncologist, which was the only time that Jim asked the important question...Jim was always so sick afterwards...Jim decided not to take any more, and then it was just a matter of weeks.  However, he was surrounded by family, and for at least six months of the nine months he was battling the disease, he was able to at least do the things he wanted to do. Ironically, I was diagnosed in November 2011 (two months after he died) with Stage IV Colon Cancer, metasticied.  When I was diagnosed, I went into battle mode, and my last treatment was late last year.  So far, there have been no recurrances, and I am thankful.  yes, I have pain every day, and yes, I struggle with other issues, but if I had to go through it again, I would do whatever i needed to do to continue on. So, you see, my brother and I had differing viewpoints on the subject.  When you think about what is most important in your life--time with people?  Quality of life?  When you decide what is YOUR "burning torch", you will know what to do.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, no matter what you do.  Even when we are not in treatment we are still fighters!

LInda