Replies

The problem with this situation is that, depending on the extent of involvement of the lymph nodes, early stage Hodgkin's Disease is one of the most curable cancers known. Patients with Stage I HD who are treated with chemotherapy have a "cure rate" approaching 90%. IMO, for these parents to allow this minor child to refuse the conventional treatment for Hodgkin's Disease is the height of irresponsibility.

Perhaps you missed the fact that this young man has already undergone chemotherapy, which did not work. Your statement, above, therefore is predicated on a fallacious premise.

If they were refusing based on ignorance or rumors of issues with chemo, I would have a different opinion. But they have already undergone a horrific course of chemical poisoning, and do not wish to repeat it.

Not true. I saw the young man on Hannity last night. He has only had one "round" of chemotherapy which, understandably, he did not like. Several treatments are required to achieve a cure. You can not say that the treatment "did not work" when he has not received the entire recommended course of treatment. On a much smaller scale, this is analogous to being prescribed a two-week course of antibiotics for strep throat and saying the drug did not work if the symptoms do not disappear after one dose!