Nytimes The problem with miracle cures

[Darryl]

Read and share your thoughts below nyti.ms/2vt9PiX

[YostConner]

Good article. I get palliative care now during treatment. I have unfettered access to a pain nurse. She prescribes my fentanyl patches and oxycodone. That said, when it’s time, I hope I have the courage to say, “it’s time.”

[Hidden]

All of us with prostate cancer have hopes of there being a cure found to help us survive.

In spite of the “War on Cancer’s” dismal results, maybe this new avenue of treatment, immunotherapy, can provide hope. Regardless, the option for continuing to fight the cancer while also receiving palliative care should always be an option. I pray I will be able to say when it’s time.

[dlestercarlson]

I thought is was a good article. While I am in the Stage IV of this experience, I think that I'm far from throwing in the towel. I have had to slow down at bit because of the ChemoTherapy side effects, but my life is still full and I have a long list of things I'm still working on. When I look back over the last 13 years that I have had to battle this disease, I am grateful for all that I have learned from it which I would not have learned in any other way. I have been blessed to have a loving supporting wife, family and friends. And my faith in God sustains me. In the future when I feel that it is time, I will gladly accept palliative care but right now I do not need it.

[Beermaker]

I read the article and thought it was pretty much spot on. Yes, there are new therapies coming along about every 6 months, but so many just don't apply to my specific case, and that seems to be the case for so many of us. (Also the costs are so high!!)

So it seems that palliative care for discomfort and stress/anxiety should be available to all, especially those who are running out of options at the moment. I have never understood why there are not more palliative specialists available for those who can benefit. I am treated at a center that wants to be known as having a prostate cancer center of excellence. But now I am about to go to my 3rd MO in 4 months. And no one who acts as a proxy for me, or offers support and palliative care suggestions. I do not know how insurance works with therapists and doctors for this type of treatment, but it seems to me that if QOL (quality of life) is important, the centers should be doing much more to provide expert care and advice in that are. They just are not stepping up.

[j-o-h-n]

I'm afraid but so far the only cure is death. As I said before the only bad part about dying is learning and having to play the harp.... and I don't read music.... Hope my wings don't get in the way.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Friday 04/20/2018 5:21 PM EDT