Someone from college recently passed away from cancer. I did not know him personally, but I have see him quite frequently. Heard from friend B that he only discovered it while serving NS, during outfield when he felt extremely discomfort and coughed non-stop.
This incident got me thinking about a scenario that may not be familiar to some, but a reality to many facing it in daily life.
Imagine you have a terminal illness that will cause great pain in its end stages.
Would you choose to undergo medical treatment that will either prolong your life, ie, attempt to treat it; or undergo palliative care, its goals is to achieve the best quality of life available to the patient by relieving suffering and controlling pain and symptoms?
Terminal illness is difficult to quantify. Sometimes under treatment, you may experience remission of the illness; for example cancer. How long? You never know, could be months or some years, its never clear. What is certain is that you live, prolonged to enjoy more of the world.
Palliative care focuses more on mental and physical well being of the patient I assume. It offers a support system to the family and friends of the one affected, provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms and enhances the quality of life. It neither hastens or postpones the inevitable route to death.
So your choice would be?