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Factors To Consider Before Shifting To A Goal Of Quality Of Life

If You Decide To Stop Treatment

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If you decide to stop treatment after careful consideration, it does not mean that you are giving up hope, or that you are a quitter.

  • As Paul R. said: 

“We still have hope that the cancer will remain stable enough to do the things we want to do, and hope that this special time with family can be enhanced with wonderful memory making events instead of being sick in bed and that maybe, just maybe, there will be a new drug available soon.”

  • Jeannie Moore, a survivor and patient advisor at the Colon Cancer Alliance, says:

“No one has a choice over the hand you were dealt regarding cancer, but we all have a choice in how to play that hand. How you play it may be different than another, but we all look at our hand, get advice from professionals, input from our family and loved ones, and then we make our play… Each of us, as individuals, will be faced with making the decision to focus on quality vs quantity of life. This is one decision we have control over.”

Family and Friends:

  • Think about what to tell family and friends. There is no right or wrong way to disclose this decision, or even to decide to tell. 
  • Use the discussion as an opportunity to remind people about the importance of appropriate screening. Screening saves lives.

If you have young children, think about what to tell them. How to tell them depends on their age. For information, click here.

Complementary Medicine: Consider working with integrative healers who practice complementary medicine. Integrative medicine is designed to treat the person and not just the disease – it takes into account the mind, body and spirit. For information about complementary treatments, click here

If you work: If you are still working, decide whether you want to continue and, if so, under what terms. For example, work only part time. Or work more from home. These ideas are called “accommodations.” To learn about reasonable accommodations and how to negotiate for them, click here

Travel: If you decide you want to travel, speak with your doctor about his or her thoughts on the subject. Ask about the specific place(s) you are considering visitng. Read our in depth information about traveling with a serious health condition which starts with preparing for the trip.

Legal and related matters: We suggest that you read our guide about nearing end of life. The guide includes information about such matters as tending to your legal affairs, legal documents known as advance directives to be sure your wishes about medical care are respected even when you can’t push the issue yourself, and coping with the roller coaster of emotions. Click here.


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