General Discussion

davidn3600

(6,342 posts)

14. It's not an easy situation

Wed Jan 7, 2015, 04:45 AM

Jan 2015

When the diagnosis is terminal, or when other treatments have failed, or if the chance of survival is low, or if the person is going through agony, I fully support that person's decision to end their life. I supported Britney Maynard's decision to die before her terminal cancer got bad enough to destroy her quality of life. There was no doubt in her case.

This case enters a somewhat more grey area. This girl has a cancer diagnosis of a treatable type of cancer that was caught early. She is underage and there is question concerning how much influence her mother is having in this decision. Cases like this are always difficult. We don't really know enough about the daughter or mother or what doctors have said to them to fully make a sound judgement on it.

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Teen girl and mother fight the state over right to refuse chemo cancer treatment [View all] davidn3600 Jan 2015 OP

Her body, her choice. Lancero Jan 2015 #1

Adults, including health care professionals who know better. Warpy Jan 2015 #4

Again, her body, her choice. Lancero Jan 2015 #5

That right isn't absolute and we all know it Warpy Jan 2015 #7

I've had Republicans tell me that my absolute choice... Lancero Jan 2015 #9

Well, when those "children" can be evicted from an unwilling womb Warpy Jan 2015 #10

You're already on that side - The side of wanting to deprive women of their right to choose. Lancero Jan 2015 #11

Not when she's still a kid and she's choosing suicide. Warpy Jan 2015 #12

I've heard Republicans say similar - "It's not about depriving her of her right to choose!" Lancero Jan 2015 #13

I agree with you. Demit Jan 2015 #29

You are a troll. smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #125

What gives you the right to call someone a troll when all they are doing is onecent Jan 2015 #132

Because it's not just an opinion. smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #141

YEP...AND the above is YOUR OPINION...troll. onecent Jan 2015 #144

Thinking that parents should be allowed to neglect their children and let them die kcr Jan 2015 #147

You can take it easy with the caps. smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #148

Hmmm... 2naSalit Jan 2015 #59

Actually...the judge foudn that she was not thinking rationally about the consequences. Thus, the msanthrope Jan 2015 #136

I still have to wonder about how true that is... 2naSalit Jan 2015 #150

It's not an easy situation davidn3600 Jan 2015 #14

If the daughter was younger, I'd be supporting this - But as close to 18 as she is... Lancero Jan 2015 #18

What if... Dorian Gray Jan 2015 #25

Considering the story doesn't even mention the father, I get the feeling he isn't around to voice a Lancero Jan 2015 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author sharp_stick Jan 2015 #49

If it was a terminal cancer she would have a choice. mucifer Jan 2015 #23

Yes, that choice does include suicide. NYC Liberal Jan 2015 #66

Does your absolute choice include suicide? gerogie2 Jan 2015 #106

Totally correct gerogie2...you have my vote!!! onecent Jan 2015 #145

That should absolutely not be true for children. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2015 #15

I didn't mention it then, but yes age would make a diffrience. Lancero Jan 2015 #17

The parent has decided - against treatment Ms. Toad Jan 2015 #47

This pro choice woman does not fight for the right for parents to let their kids die n/t kcr Jan 2015 #37

I don't know why some folks are pretending this is the same as terminating a pregnancy stevenleser Jan 2015 #48

I agree. The two aren't even the same. kcr Jan 2015 #71

Thank you. I continue to be amazed at the DU posters who can't seem Nay Jan 2015 #162

You are SO RIGHT LANCERO. People just don't get it. onecent Jan 2015 #131

People DO get it, onecent. Sissyk Jan 2015 #157

If a person is old enough and competent enough avebury Jan 2015 #97

I agree with this to a point Dorian Gray Jan 2015 #24

She's allowed to marry at 16 - if that is the criteria for "adulthood" she has passed that age Hestia Jan 2015 #113

I'm wondering if it really is her choice Skittles Jan 2015 #126

i agree. i would never ever have chemo or DesertFlower Jan 2015 #153

I think a 17 year old should be able to make that decision for themselves. liberal_at_heart Jan 2015 #2

For many kids, that's true Warpy Jan 2015 #3

The impression I get from the article is that the doctors ManiacJoe Jan 2015 #6

Yeah, Mama needs a good, hard look Warpy Jan 2015 #8

+2 nomorenomore08 Jan 2015 #160

There are worse things than not being able to have children. Being dead, for instance. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #16

I have to wonder just how life is going for her. Lancero Jan 2015 #20

The mother is a fucking moron but MattBaggins Jan 2015 #19

Poison and Toxins do have different definitions. Lancero Jan 2015 #21

"Poison toxins" was a red light for me too. Silent3 Jan 2015 #133

CBD oil is curing cancers right and left - truedelphi Jan 2015 #22

Scientific evidence for this ridiculous claim? alarimer Jan 2015 #32

Oh gawdess bless you. truedelphi Jan 2015 #95

data please Shivering Jemmy Jan 2015 #155

BTW, Is the National Cancer Institute and their work on the issue good enough for you? truedelphi Jan 2015 #120

I'm saddened at how many people have fallen for this prime example of Woo. Lancero Jan 2015 #33

Yeah, like those disgusting "woo woo's" over at the USA's own National Cancer Institute. truedelphi Jan 2015 #119

CBD oil is all things to all people Orrex Jan 2015 #43

Not sure that it is all things to all people, but the USA's own National Cancer Institute gave it truedelphi Jan 2015 #118

Funny thing about "alternative" "medicine" Orrex Jan 2015 #127

. Sissyk Jan 2015 #159

May I borrow that quote for future use? MattBaggins Jan 2015 #163

Spread the word far and wide Orrex Jan 2015 #164

I think they'll lose.... and I think they should. KentuckyWoman Jan 2015 #26

sounds like a huge amount of misinformation here mikemcl350 Jan 2015 #36

Really? Ms. Toad Jan 2015 #50

Hodgkin's Lymphoma is easily cured. kaiden Jan 2015 #27

Cheers to your husband! And your family! Inkfreak Jan 2015 #28

Thanks, Inkfreak. It is scary but doable. kaiden Jan 2015 #30

Anecdotal, as far as CBD oil? Does our National Insititure of Cancer produce studies that truedelphi Jan 2015 #122

No need to be nasty. kaiden Jan 2015 #129

That was a magnificent, unassailable response. Orrex Jan 2015 #130

The word "anecdotal" and those using it sets my nerves on edge. truedelphi Jan 2015 #154

Litigate it for 9 months HockeyMom Jan 2015 #34

It's not just what people think. Legally they are minors. kcr Jan 2015 #38

Ok, then it should be her MOTHER'S HockeyMom Jan 2015 #40

You just completely reversed positions. Union Scribe Jan 2015 #52

Both sides going around HockeyMom Jan 2015 #55

Parents don't get to make whatever decision they want regarding their children. kcr Jan 2015 #74

9 months from now this young woman HockeyMom Jan 2015 #78

So, 9 months should be the grace period? Why not 10? Why not a year or more? kcr Jan 2015 #86

The reference to 9 months is that is when the now minor girl becomes an 18 yo adult. Fla Dem Jan 2015 #135

Yes, but she's not 18 yet. kcr Jan 2015 #146

Litigate for 9 months and the treatment will be done with. Ms. Toad Jan 2015 #51

I'd go along with the mother and daughter if this was Pancreatic Cancer. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #35

Forced Medical Treatment is the issue HockeyMom Jan 2015 #39

We do not allow Jehovah's Witnesss parents to refuse blood transfusions for children. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #41

Do we not allow Alternative Treatments HockeyMom Jan 2015 #42

There are no alternative treatments for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #44

So if she were 9 months older HockeyMom Jan 2015 #45

If she were 9 months older, it would be her choice. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #46

The law allows for emancipation HockeyMom Jan 2015 #53

Then you have described her recourse. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #54

Actually, the court could stay the treatments HockeyMom Jan 2015 #56

I seriously doubt any court in the country would do that. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #58

Will she die tomorrow w/o chemo? HockeyMom Jan 2015 #61

Ceasing her treatment means she WILL die. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #62

Tomorrow, next week, HockeyMom Jan 2015 #64

Every day her treatment is put off decreases her survivability rate. MohRokTah Jan 2015 #65

Then she is not in danger of immediate death HockeyMom Jan 2015 #68

And agaiin, no judge in their right mind would issue such a stay. eom MohRokTah Jan 2015 #69

probably not but HockeyMom Jan 2015 #70

Alleging "kidnapping" in this case is irresponsible. eom MohRokTah Jan 2015 #72

No, absolutely not. The state should have the last say in child health decisions. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2015 #140

Well, there is a LOT of leeway with Minors after HS Graduation HockeyMom Jan 2015 #143

In a disease that has a high rate of survival with treatment, I believe she should be forced KitSileya Jan 2015 #57

Are you saying this just becuase of her age? HockeyMom Jan 2015 #63

Did you have a high likelihood of dying because of your hit? KitSileya Jan 2015 #79

Cracked skull? HockeyMom Jan 2015 #82

Did I say I've never known an adult to refuse treatment? KitSileya Jan 2015 #99

Oh, trust me, you don't want to go there HockeyMom Jan 2015 #104

That's a little disingenuous. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #83

My problem with lowering the age for things like that kcr Jan 2015 #91

Understood. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #92

Yes, it does differ kcr Jan 2015 #111

That makes sense. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #112

As a newbie to this forum Runningdawg Jan 2015 #60

Agreed. F4lconF16 Jan 2015 #87

The point is that the judge found she was not making rational choices. Had she been found msanthrope Jan 2015 #137

If she knows the consequences what is the problem? dilby Jan 2015 #67

I signed myself out of a hospital when I was 32 HockeyMom Jan 2015 #73

Well, her type of cancer is fatal if treated, but she can easily live 40 - 50 years if it is treated haele Jan 2015 #107

If this woman lived in Oregon and wanted to opt for Death with Dignity, dilby Jan 2015 #75

She wouldn't qualify for Death with Dignity KMOD Jan 2015 #76

Opting for no treatment would make it terminal. dilby Jan 2015 #80

In Death with Dignity KMOD Jan 2015 #84

I would never submit to chemo Man from Pickens Jan 2015 #77

Electro Shock Therapy HockeyMom Jan 2015 #81

Good call Man from Pickens Jan 2015 #88

Shock Treatment is still currently used. KMOD Jan 2015 #114

That is outrageous HockeyMom Jan 2015 #116

Its considered good medical practice in 2014 Sgent Jan 2015 #115

Well, given the choice of death TexasMommaWithAHat Jan 2015 #94

I have been an advocate here for Universal Healthcare. Savannahmann Jan 2015 #85

++++++ HockeyMom Jan 2015 #89

Mature Minor Doctrine KMOD Jan 2015 #90

Then the reverse is also true HockeyMom Jan 2015 #93

Yes KMOD Jan 2015 #96

Son with Cancer bpj62 Jan 2015 #98

Is she so brainwashed to think that TexasMommaWithAHat Jan 2015 #100

I'm guessing that she does not fully understand KMOD Jan 2015 #102

IF her mother believes she is not going to die TexasMommaWithAHat Jan 2015 #105

If your child is 30 or 40 also? HockeyMom Jan 2015 #108

But she is not "30 or 40" TexasMommaWithAHat Jan 2015 #110

I don't think they will win their case with this situation. n/t KMOD Jan 2015 #109

From the OP article, she will die without chemotherapy per medical team. uppityperson Jan 2015 #158

If she had committed a crime, HockeyMom Jan 2015 #101

It's tricky. KMOD Jan 2015 #103

UPDATE: Court rules teen must continue chemotherapy KMOD Jan 2015 #117

KMOD, thank you for this update. n/t ChazII Jan 2015 #123

My pleasure. n/t KMOD Jan 2015 #161

It's her body, it should be her choice SickOfTheOnePct Jan 2015 #121

I find this case troubling vankuria Jan 2015 #124

Anyone here been treated with chemo for Hodgkins? YarnAddict Jan 2015 #128

Well said! vankuria Jan 2015 #134

Thank you, vankuria! n/t YarnAddict Jan 2015 #151

Have any of you ever walked out of a hospital? HockeyMom Jan 2015 #156

She's 17 WolverineDG Jan 2015 #138

Let her refuse treatment, let her be treated with woo.. SidDithers Jan 2015 #139

"Chemo might prevent her from having children" Kurska Jan 2015 #142

I read somewhere that her chance for a cure with chemo is about 85%. Vinca Jan 2015 #149

Maybe there is a compromise YarnAddict Jan 2015 #152

She would be a very mature 17 year old, WANTING HockeyMom Jan 2015 #165

How is that the message when we're talking about a life or death situation? kcr Jan 2015 #166

Exactly, her mother is delusional HockeyMom Jan 2015 #167

No, because children and adults aren't the same kcr Jan 2015 #168