Dealing with terminal brain cancer (Part 3)
The last items resulting from the research are as follows:
- they also learned that spirituality is helpful as it gives them hope, additional strength and a more positive attitude. This helps lessen stress and improve relationships among patients and their loved ones.
- Patients give utmost importance to mental competence. Since brain cancer affects one’s ability to think, speak and respond, they would prefer to shorten their life if they lose these abilities. “Losing†their mind is as good as dying itself. Their loved ones agree that they can cope with the challenges as long as the patient’s mind is intact.
As long as his mind is there…we could go on forever.
- they have varying views on euthanasia. Some prefer to respect the patient’s desire to go earlier than remain a vegetable. Others believe that only God has the right to take another’s life.
- Open communication helps a lot, not only for the family, but also for the health care practitioners dealing with the patient.