I agree with this article. I lost my mom on March 26th after finding out she had Stage IV lung cancer. (Diagnosed on March 14th) I think if more doctors take the time to talk to their patients, then they will feel better about the out-come. True, everyone’s time will come to an end, nothing to do about that….my mom had pretty much given up RIGHT when she found out she had cancer. She had lived a wonderful life as well, she was a VERY hard worker, caring mother, and grandmother, and her doctor acted as if she were being treated for a cold. I say this because he treated her for 3 months for pneumonia before sending her to a pulmonologist to find out why her lungs continued to fill with fluid. My brothers, and I had barely enough time to absorb the fact that she had cancer, then the day after her 1st round of chemotherapy, she went into cardiac arrest. To our disbelief, she didn’t pull through….and this saddens me very much that her doctors just told her that “yes you have cancer, can we cure you? NO….can we make you feel alittle better than what you feel now, YES.” She was scared……we were scared. No doubt about it, but she had to hear that he could not cure her, but make her feel alittle better. Doctors see way too many patients in a day, and don’t spend enough time with the ones that are scheduled. They come in, say hi, discuss a few topics, and out the door you go…no explanations about tests, options, or the facts. Let’s get it right folks……….
Thank you.

Let’s make it simple. Numb the patient and then say,” Your time to go draws nigh”.

My husband of 44+ years was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in July 2006. We asked the ocologist how long he would have without treatment & were told, in a very solemn manner, about 1 1/2 yrs. We decided to start treatments (Nexavar & Sutent capsules) & the doctor was ecstatic. He told us about the side effects, but NEVER told us the severity of these side effects!! Joe went through pure hell on these meds!! We were NEVER told about Hospice & the fact that he could be on pain meds & live the rest of what life he had with some dignity. In my opinion, the doctors & pharmaceutical companies are lining their pockets with the pain & torture of patients!! NO ONE who is in the last stage of this horrible disease should NOT be encouraged to go with Hospice. Joe passed May 29th, 2008, after being in the hospital for a week (which is when we found out about Hospice) & on Hospice here at home for two months. The ocologist didn’t even know Joe had been in the hospital or passed until he read the obit. I thank God for Hospice…they are truly Angels of Mercy & I’m so sorry we didn’t know about them sooner. Stage IV cancer victims…BEWARE!!!

I did forget to mention that while my mom was in with her oncologist, he never gave us a time-line on what to expect when she started the chemo. Also, her doctor didn’t know she passed away either, and she had been gone for 3 weeks. I just wish that they actually cared for their patients, and not what their money.