I'm recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, been through the treatment consultancy cycle, and been told/accepted that hormone therapy is the best treatment. I have also a shadow on one of my ribs that cannot yet be explained. The disease is throughout but still contained in my prostate and I've been given a probability of 2-5 years with the treatment before it spreads, breaks out, and the likelihoods of where it will probably go! I can't have any more radical treatment because of scar tissue and problems associated with previous cancers, testicular and bowel - which I had survived in my 30s and 40s.
Being 72, I feel a bit of a fraud on this forum because I'll probably die of other/natural causes which I suppose, strictly speaking, does not make me terminally ill? Although, of course, in one sense, we are all always terminally ill.
However, I've wanted to cover all possibilities. I've read on here about people who have been given similar figures and succumbed much earlier. So I've given a great deal of thought generally to Dying with dignity, rather than going into the anxious spiral of worrying about every possible new cure or wondering if I've made the right decisions for my friends and loved ones. I have really hit a blank wall trying to discuss this - except for my daughter who has worked with it all her life. My wife is lovely and sympathetic/empathetic but she has never experienced this sort of thing at this close quarter - she is 6 years younger so will be left to pick up the pieces.
To cut this sprawling thing short is this subject still as taboo as I'm finding it, or am I just not seeing it right or not in the right place?
Best,
Stephen
Isnt it awful that anyone woud have to consider Dignitas when the offer of assisted dying at our time and place should be enshrined in law. At least the BMA came out as neutral this time rather than anti assisted dying. I get mad at the fact that Lords and politicians get to make decisions about other people's lives and we get the tired old arguments trotted out. The evidence from around the world is that it is not a "slippery slope". I know there are many nuances to this argument and lots of beliefs and ingrained attitudes, but to adopt a slogan " my body, my choice", and even more "my life, my choice". I do understand that palliative care is so much better these days, but hospices and much of good palliative care associated with them, is outide the NHS - and how scandalous is that - that end of life care is not automatically funded. Blood boils!
Namaste indeed.
xx
No votes worth chasing in the terminally ill OBS
Sarah
Stephen, Just 'friend' me and send me a private message with your e-mail and I can send out stuff to you. if you hover over your mug of tea the drop down menu will make all clear. Rainie x
Fully understand SoundFlyer. You will be missed even in the short time you have been here. I wish you the very best.
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