Glenn Ross, a 55-year-old man, was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Question

Glenn Ross, a 55-year-old man, was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. His prognosis was poor; he was given about six months to live. He underwent several series of chemotherapy treatments, but they were of no benefit. He continued to lose weight, suffer from nausea, and become weaker. After three months of chemotherapy treatments, he stated that he wanted no further treatment. He became bedridden and was admitted into a nursing home for terminal care. Glenn's son, who lived in another state, arrived at the nursing home and demanded that his father's physician be called immediately. The son wanted his father to be hospitalized and placed on chemotherapy immediately. When the physician explained that there was little hope for the father's recovery, the son threatened to sue the physician for withdrawal of care.

Given this situation (problem), what should be done?

Explanation / Answer

Situation explained above is emotional and legal, we need to analyze both and a collective decision needs to be taken.

Under given situation since the disease was inoperable pancreatic cancer and treatment was given several time in past and the same was of no great help, also the while going through the treatment, patient will have to suffer the reason being patient itself has declined the treatment .

Doctor being experienced form past experience he is clear that saving life is not possible and hence suggested to continue as long possible without chemotherapy.

Son being emotionally attached to his father wanted him to be cured and hence threatened doctor to start the treatment and argued with the doctor, as doctor has clearly given six month time of which 3 months were passed hence remaining 3 month will be pensive if his father will go through the treatment.

Legally doctor cannot remove care or support or stop treating the patient till he is alive however being son his responsibilities is to take care of his father till his last breadth and hence he was arguing with the doctor however under given circumstances he may be stopped from chemo treatment and they should keep doing the diagnosis and advance medication should be taken to treat as regular chemo treatement was of no help.

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