Topic: Healthy 86 year old wants to refuse radiation

Mar 25, 2009 02:29 PM barbe1958 wrote:

We urged my Dad with his lung cancer to do all he could. It took him 2 1/2 years to die. He said if he knew it would make him feel so sick he wouldn't have done any of it. Quality of life means something....

Mar 25, 2009 04:00 PM 1stick wrote:

I have to agree with idaho.  My Grandma had radiotherapy and was terribly ill with it.  She never really recovered and died pretty quickly.  She found the whole process upsetting and completely degrading.

Be there for her and support her all the way.  She's had a great 86 years and is probably right about life expectancy.

Gosh how difficult for you. Take care 

Mar 25, 2009 04:06 PM simpsojc wrote:

As a Breast Cancer Coordinator R.N., I can tell you that I have seen many large breast tumors that have been left untreated.  Unfortunately, many of them actually ulcerate through the surface tissue of the breast and can become a medical management nightmare.  They "weep" a drainage that can smell horrific and can be prone to infection and bleeding.  Any chance she's ER/PR positive?  Have they thought about trying anti-estrogen therapy if she is?  I've seen large tumors show remarkable regression just from these oral medications.  Obviously it's her body and her choice, but the "tomato" on the breast is just going to get bigger and more unmanageable.

Mar 25, 2009 05:30 PM daughterinlaw wrote:

Wow, thanks for all the great support! Buuuuut...... NOW I have another question, which has been raised from some of y'alls (holy moley - is THAT southern or WHAT?) responses.  The radiation itself: does it usually make people sick - as in vomiting, etc.? By the way, she will not be having chemo. Period. That was a collective decision that was thrown under the bus right from the word go. Anyway, being sick is one of her worst fears. She's not too worried about the pain that she's going to face, because she knows there are some very good pain meds. Her husband died of throat and lung cancer back in 1986. He, too, did not go to the doctor until it was a stage four. By then the tumor on his neck was weeping and he was wearing those kerchief things around his throat to hide it. His excuse for not going was...he didn't want to quit smoking, and he knew the doctor would make him.

Mar 25, 2009 06:47 PM Mayer wrote:

I'm on this board to discuss my 69 yo mom's diagnosis and treatment.  Like your gmom, she refused treatment.  Scared us all silly.  But then one surgeon we consulting said it is a common reaction for people her age to have and to leave her alone about except to encourage her to get 2-3 opinions.  By the 3rd opinion, my mom decided to have surgery, no chemo, no radiation.

 Its been tough for me, but i've come to accept she has had a full life and it is her cancer, her breasts, her story.  Maybe it is her intuition telling her it is too far gone.  Who knows.  I'm just trying to love her as much as I can and be greatful ;-) for every day I get.

I hope you find peace in your situation

Mar 26, 2009 06:02 AM, edited Mar 26, 2009 06:04 AM by Brenda_R

At 86, you have to respect her decision.

I can only tell you that while I was in radiation, there were a few older ladies there and all of them had surgery and radiation. No chemo. The doctor didn't think it necessary to put elderly people through chemo. Radiation to the breast area most likely won't make anyone sick. The rads shouldn't go deep enough to affect inner organs. Worst thing from rads is skin burn, some ladies do, some don't. I ran across one lady that had a mastectomy and still had rads. I didn't ask her why. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mayer- One important thing- I see your mom is Her2 positive, that means a fast growing tumor. 

She should at least get Herceptin to shut down tumor growth. Herceptin is very do-able, shouldn't make her sick. Maybe a runny nose and mild diarhea at first.

Herceptin is the life saver for us Her2 + ladies.