I am not in denial

Denial is not for me!

 Apparently though, denial is a popular coping mechanism for many with cancer. 

I learned about the preferences for and experience with denial during yesterday’s Weekly Cancer Support Group.  Most all of the dozen or so who attend that weekly meeting want to live as long as possible and want continued medical interventions.  Even the three or four persons in stage 4 cancer want continued interventions. 

Apparently I am the only person in the entire group who is concerned first (and only) with high quality independent life.  Apparently I am the only one in conversations with a Palliative Care MD.    Monday, she and I had a good meeting.  I appreciated her honesty and empathy and we came to (a partial) understanding of the other’s desires and anticipated behavior…However, I do not yet know of her willingness to prescribe heavy pain meds if I choose not to accept particular invasive procedures or debilitating treatment. 

 Sidebar:

Monday, my Palliative Care Doc made very clear to me that her practice is governed by strict personal and professional guidelines/protocols. 

1.     Yes, she is available to me to advise on the pluses and minuses of specialist recommended treatments/interventions.  

2.     Yes, she will coordinate her work with my primary care doctor with whom we have worked for 20 years.

3.     Yes, she will prescribe meds for pain control.

4.     No, she will not prescribe the assisted suicide “cocktail” to a patient with treatable illness.  Nor will she prescribe such for depressed persons.

5.     Yes, she will prescribe the assisted suicide “cocktail” to persons who have a terminal illness with six months or less to live…

I want to live as long as I have a high quality independent life.   

I have been in cancerstan and could be returned there. 

I am not in denial.