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I work in healthcare and because of my job, I know that my oncologist regularly makes referrals to hospice.
I have also worked with patients who were clearly terminal and begged for treatment, up to their dying day. Which is heartbreaking to watch.
Cancer sucks.
I hope Charley is able to check in before too long, and let us know if he is okay.
Just received word a former neighbor of mine died Wednesday from cancer ( age 62)
Despite fundraisers to pay for every imagineable treatment under the sun, he has passed away.
Why do some doctors and some cancer clinics insist on sucking every penny they can when they know it is hopeless?
Sometimes doctors and/or patients just can't let go of hope. We've all heard of "miracles" that have happened because someone insisted on treatment no matter how bleak the prosoect of recovery seems.
In my experience oncologists are compassionate people trying to help thier patients.
In your area, does hospice accept patients who are still recieving treatment (chemo, etc)? Around here most of the hospice does not, and patient who wants to continue treatment AND live quality of life (e.g. good symptom and pain management, psychological support, longer home health aid hours, etc) force to chose one or the other. This is why there is "palliative care" in some clinic or home care (although, still very few), so that patient can recieve necessary support while getting treatment until the end.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I'm sure I'll be fine. My platelet levels are continuing to slide merrily downhill. It looks like I'm headed for a bone marrow biopsy after the next round of blood tests, unless the numbers start to show some return to normal.
Thinking and praying for you, Charley. Glad you checked in.
Cesca, hospice is for people who do not want to continue treatment and want to instead focus on comfort and quality of life, and perhaps even start preparing for death. Chemo would not fit into that - it is treatment, and it has many side effects that cause discomfort (to say the least). It is not just a service to choose, it is also a philosophy or way of life, in a sense. Yes, people who want to pursue treatment until the end but want or need additional help with pain control and comfort, are appropriate for palliative care services.
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