03 July 2012

Another doctor's trip with Denis today. This time it was to teh oncology department at Queen's Hospital in Romford. The consultant has decided not to put him through chemotherapy on the basis that the reduction in life quality is not offset by any possible gains from the treatment. Basically any treatment would not be effective and his life wold be made shitty from the side effects. Our priority is to ensure that his final months (perhaps a year) should be as comfortable as possible. On the plus side he will get a Macmillan nurse in the near future.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We should all give thanks that Macmillan nurses are there, from what I have heard of them.

jams o donnell said...

They are a bloody good lot

Claude said...

A very wise decision re: chemotherapy. Having given the treatment to so many patients, I had decided then, and still would now, refuse it for myself.

At least, your family and uncle can be sure he will receive proper care from the nurses, and will be kept comfortable with sedation. It's really the best for all of you. Still tough...

jams o donnell said...

I wish there was something that could be done but it was on the cards that it would just be palliative care. We intend to make his remaining life as comfortable as possible