I read an interesting article that has the title Most cancer doctors avoid saying it's the end."
Basically, if you had cancer that wasn't responding to any treatment, and your condition was terminal would you want to be told to prepare for the end?
When BW had her last visit the doctor spoke about 'some spots' and his concern about fluid in her lungs and around her heart. He discussed setting up appointments to take care of that but it all sounded a bit strange to me.
He asked me to drive the car around to the stairwell entrance because the elevators were broken (what a fun day THAT was) and I had to carry BW down and put her into the car. When I went down he followed me and let me know that her condition was terminal and that I needed to prepare myself.
Once we got home I told BW about the conversation because we both agreed to not ever keep the other one in the dark about something like this. She took the information and did what she wanted to with it: visited with friends and loved ones, divided up her jewelry among the kids, wrote letters to me and the kids, and then prepared to die with as much dignity as possible.
I would want to know and I'd expect my doctor to be frank and truthful if it was the case. How about you?
Posted by bbarton at June 16, 2008 03:10 PMbeing the person that i am, i would assume i was dying until the doctor convinced me otherwise.
but, yes, i would want to know.
Posted by: heidi on June 17, 2008 05:40 AMOf course they should tell you. Though they maybe need to make sure first that you want that. Some people don't.
Posted by: grannyp on June 18, 2008 08:07 AMyes, I'd want to know. I also totally feel the same way Heidi does.
My Aunt died this spring of metastacized melanoma. She found out last August, and passed away this April. Such little time. When my time comes, I know that I will want to know as much as I can. I'd rather live those last months as truthfully as I can.
Oh yes, I would want to know too. Very good point Bob.
Posted by: Antipodéesse on June 16, 2008 05:22 PM