Do you think you would make the same decision in a similar situation?
Selfless Parents Allow 9-Year-Old to Stop Cancer Treatments
Ryan KennedyIf you asked most parents what they would do to spend more time with their dying child, the answer would be a resounding "anything!" Mom Kimberly Morris-Karp, however, is putting aside that fierce desire to hang on to every second of her 9-year-old son's life so that he can better live the time he has left.
Ryan Kennedy was 4 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. According to a story in The Oakland Press, for the past five years, he's undergone countless treatments, seven surgeries, and fought the "fight" against cancer. Recently, however, when doctors said there was another surgery that could perhaps prolong his life for several more months, he said no, and he said it vehemently.
Morris-Karp told CNN recently:
He just decided he didn't want to take any more pills, he didn't want any more surgery because it hurt. He just wanted to live the rest of his life.
She told the paper that the "selfish" part of her want to say no and make him do it, but, in the end, she and her husband gave in to his wishes.
And we kept asking him over and over again. Once a week, I would ask him the same question: "Are you sure you’re OK with this? You don’t want any more treatment?" "Yup, I’m sure." We got to the final week, when we would have to schedule surgery, and he said, "I’m sure, Mom. I don’t want to discuss it anymore." It was a very sobering thing to sit there, and have to put aside what you want to do.
So they are doing what he wants to do -- vacation, swimming, and everything else to make the most of his remaining days as long as he's able. Doctors don't expect him to live past his 10th birthday -- May 24.
My heart breaks thinking of any family who has to make such a decision. Seeing your child in harm's way and being helpless to do anything about it is one of the worst feelings a parent can experience. Knowing there's something you can do to keep them with you -- even if for only a little while -- and not doing it has got to be even worse. But wow how brave and selfless they are for doing so.
I don't know if I could do the same. I hope I never have to find out.
http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/137721/selfless_parents_allow_9yearold_to
Do you think you would make the same decision in a similar situation?
Quoting batjmom:until you have kids I don't know if one would truly understand.
Quoting countrymomma81:
Same here. I've been very busy and I'm exhausted. While sitting in my sister in law's car earlier I had a little breakdown trying to explain this to her. She doesn't have kids.
Quoting batjmom:
I can't even talk or think about it because I cry. Then don't sleep.
Quoting countrymomma81:
I just had this converstation with my SIL about an hour ago, telling her that my worst fear is that one of my kids get sick. It literally makes me ill to think about.
Quoting batjmom:
This is how I feel too
Quoting countrymomma81:
I don't know. I don't even want to think about it. This is one of my biggest fears.
WOW. This made me cry. I'd like to say that I would do the same. My mom,who was a very healthy person, was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer, 3months later, she passed away. What I remember most was that she was always sick and always crying from the chemo. She had a meeting with all of us kids to tell us she had decided not to continue treatment. Nothing was easy to watch after that, her turning yellow, and wasting away to nothing in the hospice house. But one thing I remember, was from the moment she made that choice, she radiated peace. I would hope that I would never take that from my son by insisting on treatment he didnt want. But honestly, I dont know if I would have the strength. So I will just pray for this little boy and his family.
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- Cafe Amber
on May. 18, 2012 at 6:08 AM