Chemotherapy

[jennyjoan]

Today at the funeral of a guy, I met a lady whom I know had a colostomy bag about two years ago and doing great. She is about 70 years old. She was telling me that she got the tumour removed and refused chemo and radiation and yesterday (Friday) she was due to have the bag reversed but couldn't because the guy was her relative and had to attend the funeral. Wasn't that a brave/hard decision to make. It was her decision.

[Mamyalynne]

I presume they'll give her a new date for the procedure.

It was very thoughtful though.

[Buenchico]

I really hope that you mean that she was due to have the colostomy reversed (which is a fairly simply procedure if it's only a loop colostomy, rather than an end colostomy). Reversing the bag sounds extremely messy and unpleasant to me!

[jennyjoan]

sorry mamy - on reading the post again I know you meant the procedure but actually I meant refusing chemo and radiation two years ago. This lady is my friend's sister-in-law and friend wouldn't have had a clue two years ago as at the time my guess is that the concerned party would have kept it private. They live in the south of Ireland so were able to keep it secret from rellys here in the north.

[waterboatman]

Well done brave lady.

[EcclesCake]

I can neither see it as brave nor hard. If she's been living with a bag for 2 yrs continuing is no drama, assuming she has adjusted. I'd hope she discussed the delay with medical team to establish when the next opportunity would be.

It doesn't strike me as a big deal, just a considerate one.

[jennyjoan]

Chris I do mean the colostomy - got my wording wrong.

[jennyjoan]

sorry all for my confusing post

[NoMercy]

She'll just get an alternative date for the operation. It's not like she's refused surgery altogether.

[DTCwordfan]

good luck for her with the NHS ballsup in the next few weeks, as to the strikes....

[jennyjoan]

she is from the south of ireland

[anneasquith]

I wish her well conne.

[DTCwordfan]

then she's probably okay, lucky gal.....

[Islay]

Also if she's from the south she's probably paying for it as they don't have a NHS system down there.

[silliemillie]

JJ - do you mean it was brave of her to refuse treatment 2 years ago?

[jennyjoan]

Yes i do Silliemillie

[Mamyalynne]

Yes I misunderstood and thought you meant what she did re the funeral yesterday.

I know quite a few people who have decided not to have chemo and radiation.

Hope she gets a date for the reversal soon.

[Prudie]

It can be seen from a different viewpoint, one has to be equally brave, if not more so, to face the treatment.

[Mamyalynne]

That's very true.

[silliemillie]

I don't see it as brave to refuse the treatment she needs, why would you not?

[Islay]

Depends on why she refused treatment - was it the cost? Personally I think it is braver to fight - she has a family I wonder what they think about it!