How Doctors Die
Over the past several years, I've watched a few people slowly waste away, and finally succumb to cancers that used to take you really quickly. Through it all, they were usually exhausted. On the few days that they were feeling strong, they'd come in to chat about old times. After all the chemo, and all the surgery, they died anyway, and quite broke.
I was directed to this very interesting article by Miss Weasel.
Apparently, physicians don't go in for all that treatment, and perhaps, you shouldn't either.
posted by Bob @ 7:27 PM
3 Comments:
Tuesdays are "Chemo Tuesday" day.
One of my buds was diagnosed around 22 months ago, chemo and radiation, but the tumors came back. Started back on chemo this year. Six months into it. Now on second of two treatments
Scan in two weeks.
We play cribbage while he's infused. Normally there are three of us, Bubble Boy, another bud and me. And we talk to the others in the infusion center. And we give Bubble Boy a hard time. Especially when cribbage becomes confusing, due to chemo brain.
Then, typically, we golf in the afternoon.
So, Tuesdays are typically a complete write-off for me. Which puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the week to get work done.
The work gets done.
I've met a lot of cancer patients. Some of them get better. I hope my friend does, but...
I go to give him support. And, we really do lighten up the atmosphere at Camp Cancer. Chemo is the right choice for him. It is his choice. Either fight it, or die sooner. He has elected to chase every possible day.
Not sure that I'm disposed to such course. But, I've been blessed with two wonderful sons. I think that makes a difference.
.
Interestingly, I just ran across an article by Christopher Hitchens, in which he takes issue with the adage "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger" against the backdrop of his treatment for esophageal cancer. You may find it worth a read: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/01/hitchens-201201
My wife works with a lady (widow) who's husband smoked heavily.
One night he complained he wasn't feeling very good. The next morning he didn't wake up.
No one had any idea (nothing obvious) of how he died.
An autopsy ensued. Turns out he died of lung cancer.
In his sleep and didn't know he had it.
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