Ready To Quit

I am being treated for gliomatosis cerebri and despite the treatment the tumor continues to grow.  I don't know what's worse, the affects of the treatments or the symptoms from the tumor.  My doctor says he doubts they will be able to control the growth of the tumors, and his outlook is bleak.  To be honest I am considering giving up on the meds and let the tumor take its course. 

Have any of you had a relative who made that choice, and if so, did they regret it?

This is difficult and more complicated than I wrote here, so I would appreciate any feedback anyone has for me.

Richard 

Richard,

Don't give up! Don't quit! I know it's hard and depressing that the side effects can be worse. You might try another Dr. there are so many that can give you hope. Where are you located? Are you able to travel to another location? I wish I had something concrete to give you, but maybe others will. I just know that quitting isn't the answer. I think you will be more frustrated and your family saddened.

May God give you strength,

Denise

Richard

 Don't quit ... it doesn't sound like in truth that's what you really want to do - it sounds like you could do with an neuro-oncologist who is willing to experiment and be more positive!  Especially if your blood counts are not an issue!  Also, have you read Ben Williams on Virtual Trials (chemo cocktail survivor) please read other survivor stories on there http://www.virtualtrials.com/survive.cfm as it does make you think.  Also have you considered less toxic methods like poly-mva www.polymvasurvivors.com or Protocel (Cancell/Cantron) www.protocel.com .  Are you taking supplements as well and eating lots of veg and good omega 3s?  Have you also heard of the anti-depressant drug (kill two birds with one stone!) as it is always so upsetting and trying and effects mood, outlook and well being ... there is an anti-depressant called Chloropramine that, when used with chemo, accelerates tumour death ...  Plus Celebrex and Avastin and Chloroquine .... you need to find someone who will look at attacking this from different angles - not just one - and then not just giving up.

Please don't give up without trying everything first.

Clare

There is also wisdom in knowing when you have had enough. I am not sure you are there yet however.

So you trust your doctor? Has he exhausted all avenues of treatment?

Most doctors are very tenacious and don't give up until all hope is lost. That is why I ask.

If you and your doctor have determined that treatment isn't working, then you have a decision to make. and it won't be easy.

God bless you and may He make this journey an easy one.

I am sorry that you are having such a difficult time and are facing such a difficult decision.  I am sure that you have suffered greatly to reach this point. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is conducting research studies on this type of brain cancer according to an article I read on-line.  Perhaps contacting them might give you some avenues to explore for treatment. 

Jackiekay

Richard,

God Bless You.... Keep fighting, don't give just yet. Pray harder than you ever have ask God for the strengh and wisdom. Fight until you can't fight anymore, beat this, show it who's the boss and kick it's ass.

My thought and prayer are with you.

Steve's Little Sister, Susan

Good Evening Richard;

"I don't know what's worse, the affects of the treatments or the symptoms from the tumor." 

Cancer ain't for sissies, neither is the treatment! My Dr. told me before I started on my journey: "First we're going to try and kill you, then we're going to cure you!" He wasn't too far off base.

"My doctor says he doubts they will be able to control the growth of the tumors, and his outlook is bleak." 

Before I threw the towel in I'd consider getting another opinion from another Dr. As I've said many times before, "What do they call the guy who graduates LAST in his medical class?" They aren't the Gods we are made to believe they are.

"To be honest I am considering giving up on the meds and let the tumor take its course." 

Richard, this is a decision only you can make. However, make darn certain it's the most informed decision you've ever made. Because once you start down that road turning back is going to be very, very difficult.

"Have any of you had a relative who made that choice, and if so, did they regret it?"

My Father-in-Law recently passed away from cancer. The last month or so all he would ever say was "I want to just die." The treatments and the pain took their toll on him. He's probably at peace now, however, the mess he left his children is unbelieveable. Is your house in order? Or are you going to leave a legal mess that will affect your loved ones? Perhaps getting that in order may take your mind off of the cancer.

"This is difficult and more complicated than I wrote here, so I would appreciate any feedback anyone has for me."

As I have said, this is a very personal decision only you can make. Giving up is not in my nature so I had difficulty relating to my FIL's feelings. As you and I and all our "extended family" her at CC have found out, life ain't fair and it sure is short! Why shorten it further? I'll leave you with a quote a football coach of mine told us many years ago: "Everyone gets hit in the game, some people get up and some give up."

You take care and I wish you well in your decision and your recovery;

Kevin

My father is trying to make this same decision right now, Richard. After his second surgery he said, no more. But now his doctor wants to try a potent chemotherapy that will require putting a port in his chest and admitting him to the hospital. The doctor is persuasive. But Dad is so tired of feeling sick all the time that he's not sure he wants to go on.

I feel for you and for him. He is willing to accept that his condition is not curable, but it's hard to know if this is the time--if now is the moment to just let go and let God. 

It's a heartbreaking decision to have to make. I'm so sorry you are faced with this.