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Discussion

Is this normal for a doctor to do? what to expect..

My aunt has been battling stage 4 liver cancer for almost 5 years at this point..Today they did some tests, and apparently the results weren't good. They told my aunts daughter that they could do nothing more, her only option was hospice. the MD specifically stated "im not god but i give her 2 weeks at the most".

They refused to tell her today. They are making her wait until she shows up for her chemo appointment on Monday to tell her she will not receive chemo, they are officially stopping her treatments, and she should go into hospice.

My aunt has been steadfast about fighting it no matter what, but in the last month her mental status has changed; she's not oriented to time or place (called me yesterday to wish me happy birthday thinking it was dec 22), has edema, abdominal distention..and has lost control of voiding & BM, doesn't realize she has even gone to the bathroom, vomiting alot now.

What would be the reasoning a doctor would wait to inform a patient of their prognosis, if they've given such a timeframe? Is this normal protocol? I'm just finding it a bit hard to wrap my brain around that since he wouldn't give us a reason as to why he is waiting to inform her...

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We aren't allowed to give medical advice on this site and I don't think any of us are capable of knowing why this Dr made this decision.

  • Author

no problem..i was just wondering if anyone had come up against this i've never heard of a doctor just waiting & not disclosing that.

We aren't allowed to give medical advice on this site and I don't think any of us are capable of knowing why this Dr made this decision.

Beyond that, you have second-hand information that may or may not be accurate. Patients and families can be easily overloaded with information in situations like these. Their recollections of discussions can be inaccurate or incomplete.

  • Expert
Beyond that, you have second-hand information that may or may not be accurate. Patients and families can be easily overloaded with information in situations like these. Their recollections of discussions can be inaccurate or incomplete.

I think this is the best answer. I never trust anything someone says their doctor told them. I would want to hear it from the doctor directly. It's very likely some wires got crossed.

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt's illness. I hope she can be comfortable and peaceful . How sweet that she was thinking of you, called & wished you a happy birthday!

Agreed with the previous posters. So sorry your family is going through this. She sounds like a kind woman.

Hopefully the story isn't quite correct. I would be livid if my doctor discussed my prognosis with a family member before he spoke to me about it. A change in mental status doesn't necessarily indicate incompetence. Surely there must be more to this story.

  • Expert

We are so sorry for you and your family - best resource is going to be the provider.

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