For the last couple of months you have lacked energy. You don't feel yourself and you know something is wrong. After having your spouse nag you for days you cave in and make an appointment to see your doctor. He discovers that you have lost some weight and orders some tests. Today you are going to see him to get the results. As you see your golf clubs waiting in the hallway you cuss under your breath. You much rather be heading to the fairways then the doctor's.
As you are waiting in the exam room you are slightly nervous but sure nothing major is wrong. After all its just a dull pain in your gut. Nothing to worry about. The doctor walks in the room much more straight faced then you have ever seen. Before you can say anything he tells you something that will change your world forever. "I am sorry you have pancreatic cancer."
Sounds like a bad dream doesn't it? The fact is this story happens everyday. Unfortunately there is no "cure" for pancreatic cancer. I lost my dad to this disease last year and it is a horrible thing to watch. While chemo will buy you a very small amount of time the side effects are terrible. What would you do? Die with dignity or fight to the very end?
Working in hospice for the past 11 years as a RN I have seen people who have made both choices. After seeing the results that modern medicine uses to treat this cancer I would opt to go without treatment. Shouldn't that be my choice?
Obama once again showed how weak he really is. Last week it was leaked that he wanted End Of Life Planning included in the Medicare Plan. But after pressure from both sides he folded and decided not to include it.
End of Life and Advance Directive planning is not a "Death Panel". It is simply a conversation between you and your doctor. This is your life and you are entitled to your options when faced with a terminal illness.
You may choose for treatment and I may decide to have less time but a better quality of life.
Once again Obama has shown what a weak leader he is.