I understand your reply, David. But I no longer have much faith in how our medical system has changed (US care) since HMOs and Kaiser going for profitable medical care, many times at the expense of the patient (notwithstanding their effective ad campaigns).

Forty years after that political decision, it is all about the money.

You said, "None of us wanted to go thru this barbaric TX..." and then you balance that with only one other side of the teeter totter -- "to die". Don't you believe that that's the thinking of "either/or" when there may be MORE to choose from?

We (husband and I) chose differently, is all, after careful research and weighing the options objectively. We didn't choose the "either/or" route, and I would hope that there is room for discussion of those other options.

When you're afraid, it is easy to hand over control of one's medical care to someone/anyone who seems to have the answer.



Elin, artist and Wife to Ron, neck lump 8/08
Ron, age 68, Dx 11/23/08, T2N2bMx BOT Stage IV, treatments begin January. cisplatin x 3 and rads 35x, one chemo down and rads x4 as of 1/20.