Oncology...
The Lord brought us several high quality referrals for specialists in oncology, from doctors and friends. After researching them, speaking to them, and researching some more, we met in person with our best option.
He was a gentlemen, and met with us for over two hours as we asked questions, and he filled us in on every type of chemo drug and radiation technique known. He explained how the treatment would be delivered for Jody. He explained how it would affect her body and mind. He was thorough, and all the while my sweet Jody seemed like she was floating above all the chatter in the arms of the Lord - it was hard for her to bear the discussion after weeks of doctors appointments.
Because of the stage of the cancer, he explained, Jody would need the toughest first line drugs available; and then the second line drugs would follow, then, if she was able to withstand it, some experimental drugs that had little chance of working. The prognosis followed. Jody's case would be the same, statistically speaking, whether she chose to be treated or not. This did not make any sense to me so I made him repeat the statement... two more times! In other words, he wanted us to understand that Jody fell into a category where her "odds of survival" were the same whether she underwent chemo/radiation - or not.
Still not able to reconcile this, I asked him why would anyone want to go through those extreme treatments if it would not extend her life in any way - or offer any hope of a cure? His answer was "Quality of life."
That is to say that he could only offer palliative care for Jody, not curative care.
Is. 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"
He was a gentlemen, and met with us for over two hours as we asked questions, and he filled us in on every type of chemo drug and radiation technique known. He explained how the treatment would be delivered for Jody. He explained how it would affect her body and mind. He was thorough, and all the while my sweet Jody seemed like she was floating above all the chatter in the arms of the Lord - it was hard for her to bear the discussion after weeks of doctors appointments.
Because of the stage of the cancer, he explained, Jody would need the toughest first line drugs available; and then the second line drugs would follow, then, if she was able to withstand it, some experimental drugs that had little chance of working. The prognosis followed. Jody's case would be the same, statistically speaking, whether she chose to be treated or not. This did not make any sense to me so I made him repeat the statement... two more times! In other words, he wanted us to understand that Jody fell into a category where her "odds of survival" were the same whether she underwent chemo/radiation - or not.
Still not able to reconcile this, I asked him why would anyone want to go through those extreme treatments if it would not extend her life in any way - or offer any hope of a cure? His answer was "Quality of life."
That is to say that he could only offer palliative care for Jody, not curative care.
Is. 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"
posted by Scott F. at 8:01 PM
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