This is an interesting case! A teen has declined to do a second round of chemotherapy due to the pain and suffering. He just learned that his cancer has returned and is refusing to go back to chemotherapy and wants to try a New Age therapy in Mexico.

Quote:

"I would rather die healthy and strong and in my house than die in a hospital bed, bedridden and unable to even open my eyes," said Abraham, who was so weakened by three months of chemotherapy last year that at times he could barely walk.

Well, his new Age Therapy sounds silly to me, doesn't he have a right to refuse chemotherapy? A judge has ordered him back to chemotherapy on the wish of a social worker.

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Is the judge footing the bill for the Kemo or is it the tax payers or the individuel. What are they going to do throw him in jail if he doesn't go???

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Just my humble opinion!

Wow... all I can say is wow... Where does this judge get off thinking that he has the right to over-rule a conscience decision that was made by both the individual and his parents. This is very similar to abortion (not to jump topic) and the issue of "my body, my rights." I am very interested to see what happens when they do no go to the chemotherapy as they have stated.

-Ghost

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To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge. -Henry David Thoreau

Knowledge is power.

Judge Lifts Order for Cancer Treatment

Taken from: AP

ACCOMAC, Va. - A judge ruled Tuesday that a 16-year-old cancer patient who has refused conventional medical treatment does not have to report to a hospital as previously ordered and scheduled a trial to settle the dispute.

Starchild Abraham Cherrix, who is battling Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system, refused a second round of chemotherapy when he learned early this year that the cancer had returned.

Abraham chose to instead go on a sugar-free, organic diet and take herbal supplements under the supervision of a clinic in Mexico.

A social worker asked a juvenile court judge to require the teen to continue conventional treatment, and the judge on Friday ordered Abraham to report to a hospital Tuesday. Accomack County Circuit Court Judge Glen A. Taylor set aside that order.

"I feel free today. I was let off the leash," Abraham said after Taylor agreed to a stay and set a trial date of Aug. 16.

Taylor also ended joint custody of Abraham between his parents and social services officials.

Carl Bundick, an attorney for the department, told the judge the department would not object, provided a new trial takes place quickly.

"What the department is interested in is this young man being cured of cancer," Bundick said.

In a similar case last year, the parents of 13-year-old Hodgkin's disease patient Katie Wernecke won the right in November to make all her medical decisions after a court fight with Texas child welfare officials. Doctors had recommended chemotherapy and radiation; her father favored a program of intravenous vitamin C.

-Ghost

__________________
To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge. -Henry David Thoreau

Knowledge is power.