I believe also that God wants us to use science and medical treatments available. I just dont think we are hearing both sides of the story here. Yes, the one treatment began to shrink the tumor, I agree. I also know how very sick chemo makes you after having it. How my sister wished she were dead she was so sick and asked constantly if I thought she should continue. Horrid situation and I cant even imagine watching a child go through it.

I refer back to my original statement that I dont believe we have the right to judge her on her beliefs. I just dont do it anymore because I found it to be very damaging to myself and others.

I think based on the information I have read that she is a very compassionate and loving mother who is struggling terribly about what is right for her child. I was judged alot when making decisions for my mentally challenged son and I will never regret NOT doing some of the things that society thought I should. He could not possibly be the very successful young man he is today if I had. He would be more like a vegetable.

All that being said................I think this is a great post and good food for thought. It helps us get in touch with our own feelings about things and where we might go with it.

BP, I in no way was trying to degrade your opinion because it is valuable and I think you have every right to have it just like the rest of us.

Hugs

That's true David! Scared the crap out of people. The berzerkers did some crazy stuff, as did the Celts.

I agree, we've got to have a lot of sympathy for the mom. This is a tough situation.

My dad died a few years ago. The doc was great. He really laid things out, said how he could take heroic measures and extend my dad's life a bit, but that the liver failure would make that time painful and it was likely that he wouldn't have high mental function. We chose to forgo that, he wouldn't have wanted it.

Man, these are the toughest questions, aren't they, especially when kids are involved.

It is really something....to make a life and death decision...

We were all standing around, my step mother and two step brothers, my brother and sister, and the doc laid things out then said I'll give you all some time to think about which course we take, extreme intervention to keep him alive for another, pained month, or turning off the ventilator. I'm the oldest, so it was my place to take the lead. My stepmother was too shelled to be the sole decision maker, though being my dad's wife, it would have been her place.

I looked at everybody and said," no he wouldn't want the extreme measures." I looked into everybody's eyes and they all agreed. We knew him well.

But, if there'd been a good chance for another year or two of healthy life, we'd have gone for the intervention.

well i'm not judging I just hope the kids lives. Children are my weakness and I hate to think of a dying child that could live if given the chance. It breaks my heart. And the reality is that he probably will be treated and she will be locked up. Not matter what anyones opinion on the matter is. Its just life.

Everyone really has valid points here. In no way do I feel science is an end all cure all for religion. Just wanted to point that out. I'm by far not religious either. I think we can worship God without having to go to church and that's just what I feel. BUT, I do think the mother of the son deserves jail time for neglect and abuse. She is abusing her son by not giving him chemo. She is also breaking the state laws by running off with him and could possibly suffer from kidnapping charges by not letting him go into foster care like the judge demanded. She deserves to be in jail!