Colorectal Cancer: Nearing End Of LIfe

There is no right or wrong when it comes to what to do when the end of life is likely to be near. While your religion, ethnic community or family may have other thoughts on this matter, bottom line it is your life. As long as you are mentally competent, it is your choice. 

Even after you are no longer able to speak for yourself, you can stay in control if you execute a Health Care Power of Attorney or other Advance Directives ahead of time. (If you have already executed these documents, revisit them to be sure they reflect how you still feel. If you had a discussion with your Proxy about your wishes, have another one to reconfirm your current thoughts).

Even the most aggressive person may say something like: "It's time. The treatments are not working. There is no cure in sight. The treatments are keeping me from having any life at all. I'd rather just be comfortable and as pain free as possible. I'd just like to spend time at home with my family."

Or there may be an in-between course in which you choose which procedures and/or treatments you want and which you don't want, and under what circumstances. 

If you haven't before, and if there are not further standard treatments to treat your condition, consider joining a clinical trial. In addition to the possibility of being helped, you may receive free medical care. At the least, you will be helping other people in a similar situation.

It is also your choice whether to live with pain and other symptoms, and, if so, to what extent.  

If you choose to stop receiving medical care aimed at curing you, you can always change your mind and start treatments again.

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