is chemo worth it at a 20% chance of life

Hello,

What a tough decision.  I'm so sorry you're having to even ask these types of questions.

I'm a parent as well and let me tell you my thought process, disclaiming 99% because what we say as an armchair quarterback and what we'd do in anyone's shoes may be very different. 

I've known people who have both sought out every possible treatment to prolong life and who stopped treatment altogether to enjoy what life was left.  These were all adults and were fully capable of understanding and making that decision.  Yet, I see both sides of the argument.  I'm not sure that a child at 8 years of age could really contribute to making such a decision.  And as a parent, I would want to know I did absolutely everything I could.

Is your son considered terminal, regardless of treatment?  Is this chemo to prolong his life or a possible cure?  If chemo fails, would he still be able to do as you described? 

I wish you the very best of luck.  You and your son will be in my thoughts.

Hi,

How very, very difficult. I can't even begin to imagine. You would very much have to do the best decision making based on your feelings and your child's health, but I understand not prolonging pain if the pain doesn't result in a favorable outcome. It's so hard to judge and make that call, I know, and I'm thinking of you, thinking best thoughts for you all. Please do let us know how things are going.

LauraL

I am so sorry you are traveling the road I was on for 12 years.  My son had a brain tumor at the age of 8. My nightmare was named Astro cytoma. he was given 3-5 if I did the chemo and we were lucky. Well, I prayed about it and decided not to do the chemo. You see, I never met anyone who did well on it (and I do not fear death) so we did only the radiation treatments. My son had quality of life. We had 12 years with him and he had no regrets. David said to me 5 weeks befor he passed. I'm not afraid to go mommy. I know where I'm going. He was a wonderful friend and the most beautiful man. I was blessed to have him in my life for so long. Had I done the treatments they wanted he would have been severely brain damaged. I will always treasure his memory and to be quite truthfull I still dance with him, in my mind he is still with me. I am recovering from my loss but I do still need to think he is with me. My beloved son. May god bless you and yours and I hope you enjoy him as much as I enjoyed my David. 

Hi Jeannej,

Thank you much for sharing your beautiful story.  I'm all teared up.  *hugs*

Hi Jeanne...wow i am so sorry that u r going thru this..Prayers and hugs to you and your son...but in defense of doing chemotherapy let me just say that they gave me 7 months..that was 4 yrs ago..NEVER GIVE UP HOPE..doctors are not God and you might find that 20% might not be right

BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH