[Cherie]

Just been reading that children can have permanent side effects from radiotherapy treatment because their nervous system is still developing. Physical problems with radiotherapy following the removal of a brain tumour, can include limb weakness, poor balance and uncontrollable shaking, a quarter will have fits or blackouts and a third will have headaches or migraine.

[arista]

Today the Mother goes to Court

Ref: Daybreak ITV1HD

[Cherie]

I really wouldn't like to be the Judge ruling on this one. A difficult decision ahead and one parent will be left bitterly upset.

[Livia]

If the judge thinks that doctors can save, or at least prolong, the life of the child, then his decision will be made quite quickly, I think. I'm really surprised when a hospital has to get a court order to save a child because of their parents' strange beliefs. Many times Jehovah Witnesses refuse blood or organs that could save their child's life and a court has to take the decision out of their hands. In this case, the mother believes in homeopathy - a complementary medicine that did nothing, over the thousands of years it's been in existence, to do away with smallpox, rubella, measles... a whole host of diseases easily curable or preventable now. Homeopathy was around when the survival rate from childbirth was abysmal. Homeopathy was around before penicillin was discovered and people could die from an infected abrasion. And yet somehow, magically, this woman believes it will save her son from his brain tumour? It makes no sense to me.

Originally Posted by Livia

If the judge thinks that doctors can save, or at least prolong, the life of the child, then his decision will be made quite quickly, I think. I'm really surprised when a hospital has to get a court order to save a child because of their parents' strange beliefs. Many times Jehovah Witnesses refuse blood or organs that could save their child's life and a court has to take the decision out of their hands. In this case, the mother believes in homeopathy - a complementary medicine that did nothing, over the thousands of years it's been in existence, to do away with smallpox, rubella, measles... a whole host of diseases easily curable or preventable now. Homeopathy was around when the survival rate from childbirth was abysmal. Homeopathy was around before penicillin was discovered and people could die from an infected abrasion. And yet somehow, magically, this woman believes it will save her son from his brain tumour? It makes no sense to me.

As Tim Minchin says - Do you know what they call alternative medicine that has been proved to work? Medicine.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

If the judge thinks that doctors can save, or at least prolong, the life of the child, then his decision will be made quite quickly, I think. I'm really surprised when a hospital has to get a court order to save a child because of their parents' strange beliefs. Many times Jehovah Witnesses refuse blood or organs that could save their child's life and a court has to take the decision out of their hands. In this case, the mother believes in homeopathy - a complementary medicine that did nothing, over the thousands of years it's been in existence, to do away with smallpox, rubella, measles... a whole host of diseases easily curable or preventable now. Homeopathy was around when the survival rate from childbirth was abysmal. Homeopathy was around before penicillin was discovered and people could die from an infected abrasion. And yet somehow, magically, this woman believes it will save her son from his brain tumour? It makes no sense to me.

It's crazy. I just can't understand how a parent (beliefs or not) wouldn't do every possible thing to save their childs life. Surely these "alternative" treatments can be done along with medical treatment.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Jesus.H.Christ

As Tim Minchin says - Do you know what they call alternative medicine that has been proved to work? Medicine.

Love Tim Minchin...

Originally Posted by Christmas Neeve

It's crazy. I just can't understand how a parent (beliefs or not) wouldn't do every possible thing to save their childs life. Surely these "alternative" treatments can be done along with medical treatment.

I think alongside modern medicine, complementary medicine can be useful. But people are kidding themselves if they think it can suddenly cure stuff it hasn't been able to cure for thousands of years. I understand this woman may be worried about the effects of the treatment on her son, but if the alternative is death, I'd be going for the treatments.

Originally Posted by Livia

Love Tim Minchin...


I think alongside modern medicine, complementary medicine can be useful. But people are kidding themselves if they think it can suddenly cure stuff it hasn't been able to cure for thousands of years. I understand this woman may be worried about the effects of the treatment on her son, but if the alternative is death, I'd be going for the treatments.

Don't be sucked in. It's pure placebo. A sugar pill would work as equally as well as long as the person taking it believed it was medicine.

Alternative medicine is useful in the same way that children think if they cover their eyes, they become invisible.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Jesus.H.Christ

Don't be sucked in. It's pure placebo. A sugar pill would work as equally as well as long as the person taking it believed it was medicine.

Alternative medicine is useful in the same way that children think if they cover their eyes, they become invisible.

I'm talking about stuff like aromatherapy... it almost certainly doesn't cure anything but relaxes people and makes them less stressed and therefore more able to be in a position to fight whatever ails them. I don't believe it's an actual cure for anything at all.

[Kizzy]

I can sympathize, her son has had the tumour removed.
According to the press association her fear is following radiation therapy his brain will be 'fried'.
Is the treatment a precaution so the removed tumor does not return?
How can anyone unaware of the facts say she is wrong?
There are no guarantees any medical procedures will be successful either, it's not black and white..

[arista]

Kizzy the doctor has said they will not use that alone,
The judge has now said he may return tomorrow
a Saturday - as the doctors have said treatment must start around 13 Dec.


you are wrong to say Fried

[arista]

'I'm not a bonkers mother': Runaway mother tells judge she was only looking after cancer sufferer son's best interests when she prevented him having treatment
Mother Sally Roberts says she ran away with son Neon as she fears radiotherapy will permanently affect his IQ and damage his growth
She has been giving her seriously ill son natural medicine
Doctors disagree with her decision and have started legal proceedings
Mrs Roberts, 37, said she was not a 'bonkers mother' and that she 'only wanted the best for her son'
Neon was temporarily placed into foster care then given to his father


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz2EO6JicjT

[Kizzy]

She said fried not me arista, my source was in my post. Don't tell me I'm wrong then quote the mails tabloid right wing crap.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Merry Kizzmas

She said fried not me arista, my source was in my post. Don't tell me I'm wrong then quote the mails tabloid right wing crap.

Sorry kizzy.

I hope by tomorrow the Judge rules on this
the Dad is looking after the boy , for now

[Kizzy]

Nay worries, What a decision the judge has to have to make...
This poor family torn apart, and the treatment may not succeed.
The stress and the pressure they must be under...
If miracles exist I hope for one for that child.

[Cherie]

If the boy does end up with brain injury from the radiation, neither the judge nor social services will the there to look after him day in day out.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Cherie Christmas

If the boy does end up with brain injury from the radiation, neither the judge nor social services will the there to look after him day in day out.

Do you think they should just leave him to die then? Let his mother continue with her tinctures and potions? If he dies because she refused the treatment that was recommended by professionals, no one will have to look after him.

This is tragic and people are doing their best to save this child's life with the best technology we have. If the worst happens and the child does end up with some kind of problem, neither the judge not the social services can be blamed for giving it the best shot.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Livia

Do you think they should just leave him to die then? Let his mother continue with her tinctures and potions? If he dies because she refused the treatment that was recommended by professionals, no one will have to look after him.

This is tragic and people are doing their best to save this child's life with the best technology we have. If the worst happens and the child does end up with some kind of problem, neither the judge not the social services can be blamed for giving it the best shot.

In some ways modern medicine is great, but in others it is a curse. I work with children with profound special needs,some of whom would probably not be alive were it not for the "miracle" of modern medicine, its not the quality of life I would want for either of my children, and the worry about what happens to these children when they move into adult services and when their parents eventually pass away is not something that can easily be dismissed with a "oh well at least they are alive" wave of the hand. As I have said on this thread quite a few times now this is not an easy situation for anyone, as the parents views on treatment are diverse, but the mothers concerns should not be dismissed at "neurotic", she wants her child to have a life, not just to be alive.

[joeysteele]

If I was the judge,I would be coming down on the side of the Hospital Doctors and judge that the treatment go ahead. I cannot go along with the Mother's stance at all although I can understand she will have great concern.
There is a split here too in that the Mother is fighting the treatment,however the Father is in support of it.

The overriding factor has to be the best chance for the child, in this case from what I have read and heard,which is limited I accept, I would approve the Hospital Doctors view.
It is a very difficult decision for the judge to make but weighing up what has been reported as to this I cannot see him coming out against the Doctors on this sad matter.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Cherie Christmas

In some ways modern medicine is great, but in others it is a curse. I work with children with profound special needs,some of whom would probably not be alive were it not for the "miracle" of modern medicine, its not the quality of life I would want for either of my children, and the worry about what happens to these children when they move into adult services and when their parents eventually pass away is not something that can easily be dismissed with a "oh well at least they are alive" wave of the hand. As I have said on this thread quite a few times now this is not an easy situation for anyone, as the parents views on treatment are diverse, but the mothers concerns should not be dismissed at "neurotic", she wants her child to have a life, not just to be alive.

I wonder if the parents of the children you work with think the same as you? I have a child with special needs in my family, a child who was perfectly healthy until he was six. He is as loved and adored now as he was before. And if you think I was dismissing anything about this case with a wave of my hand, then you really have got a warped view of me.

Neither have I ever said that this is an easy option for anyone, and I think if the mother wasn't under quite so much stress as this terrible ordeal must have placed on her, perhaps she'd be doing stuff differently. Unfortunately, in order for the child to have a life, as you put it, probably depends on taking whichever risk has the best odds. And that isn't going to be essential oils and tree bark.

[Nedusa]

I can sympathise with the Mother on this sad situation, she feels her son is very creative and has a particularly artistic character. She is worried that the baby will be tossed out with the bath water inasmuch that even if the Radiotherapy prolongs his life the side effects could be so severe that they would destroy most of the traits that define him as a person.

She is hoping a mixture of chemotherapy and alternative medicine could halt his decline without all the side effects of radiotherapy . However Chemotherapy also has some nasty side effects so I'm not sure she has thought this through.

I think she is blinded to the reality of the situation due to her love for her child but unfortunately in this case the courts are going to have to make the final decisions on behalf of this boy. Lets hope there is a positive outcome either way.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

I can sympathise with the Mother on this sad situation, she feels her son is very creative and has a particularly artistic character. She is worried that the baby will be tossed out with the bath water inasmuch that even if the Radiotherapy prolongs his life the side effects could be so severe that they would destroy most of the traits that define him as a person.

She is hoping a mixture of chemotherapy and alternative medicine could halt his decline without all the side effects of radiotherapy . However Chemotherapy also has some nasty side effects so I'm not sure she has thought this through.

I think she is blinded to the reality of the situation due to her love for her child but unfortunately in this case the courts are going to have to make the final decisions on behalf of this boy. Lets hope there is a positive outcome either way.

I agree, particularly with the last paragraph.

[Ammi]

...I've been reading up on some of the possible long term effects of radiation therapy on brain tumours in children.....

......seizures are a common long-term effect, and may develop after 10 years or longer following therapy, especially in the case of young children.... children are especially vulnerable to long-term effects of radiation therapy, as such treatments often affect their growth, mental development, coordination and cognitive abilities, all of which are developing in the brain during childhood.....seizures may be mild to severe, and may involve mere mental absences, or blackouts and unconsciousness.... in some cases, delayed effects may also involve poor brain function, death of brain cells and tissue and memory loss....

....besides destroying cancer cells, radiation therapy can also harm normal cells.... normal cells are more likely to recover from its effects though and your child's health care team will take extensive measures to carefully monitor radiation doses to protect healthy tissue......

[arista]

Cancer Boy Court Case Delayed For A Week

[By Nick Martin, Sky Correspondent

The mother of a seven-year-old boy with cancer
has said she does not want him to receive potentially
life-saving radiotherapy because she is worried about
the side effects.

Neon Roberts underwent surgery on a brain tumour
in October and as a follow-up treatment
doctors recommended a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

But his mother Sally said the side effects of the
radiation could have a "damaging effect on his future".

Her estranged husband Ben Roberts, however, agrees
with doctors, who say his chances of survival would
be increased if he had the treatment.

A High Court judge will rule on the matter later this month. A decision
had been expected on Saturday, but a "change in the medical landscape"
meant a new hearing was set for December 18 and 19.

Giving evidence to the court on Friday, Mrs Roberts said:
"I wish for the best future for my son, the best quality of life.
I fear radiotherapy could have damaging effects on his future."

Mrs Roberts described her son as having
an "incredible sense of humour" and being "a great artist, vibrant and healthy".

She told the court that she had researched the side effects
of radiotherapy and asked experts for advice.

She said she feared his IQ would be affected
and that he could have a shorter life with
increased chances of suffering a stroke.]


http://news.sky.com/story/1022269/ca...yed-for-a-week

[Kizzy]

A change in the medical landscape.. what the hell does that mean?
So his treatment will not begin this year then, they know that theres a good chance this childs mother is right.
Bottom line is they are not willing to be held accountable for the outcome of the radiotherapy.
'Professionals' in this case could not accurately predict outcomes, therefore the mother was justified in her hesitation.
To dismiss her for her views and her agonies would be insensitive and wrong.