Dutch court rules 12-year-old boy can refuse chemotherapy

by Guest Sat May 13, 2017 10:35 am

A 12-year-old boy from North Holland with cancer has the right to refuse chemotherapy, a Dutch court ruled on Friday. David, who was operated on for a brain tumour last year, does not have to undergo further follow-up chemotherapy, according to a legal judgement.

His tumour was successfully removed last November and he had radiation treatment, then asked for alternative therapies instead of chemotherapy due to its side effects.

The boy – who has not been identified – has divorced parents, and while his mother reportedly supports alternative therapies, his father went to court to try to ensure David had further medical care against his will.
David had been living with his mother on the island of Texel, according to reports, but was taken into the care of social services last December, when the mother refused to cooperate with the first round of radiation treatment.

But a judge in Alkmaar ruled on Friday that David has the right to decide on further medical care, even if this reduces his chances of survival.

"He is especially concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy and the deterioration in his quality of life," said the judgement.

"He is not depressed, has a strong will to live but can also think about death. David is 100 per cent [mentally] competent.”

It adds that a child of 12 years old can weigh his own interests in this situation: “Major medical procedures require his consent, taking into his right to self-determination…David has made his decision in terms of his quality of life now.”

Earlier court documents suggested that with chemotherapy, the boy’s chances of survival were 75% to 80%, but without it, they would be 50 per cent.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/13/dutch-court-rules-12-year-old-boy-can-refuse-chemotherapy/

by eddie Sat May 13, 2017 12:10 pm

This is a tough one but knowing myself the way I do, I'd be on the side of my son. Sometimes you have to let people follow their own decisions and their own path in life and this boy seems to know what he wants.

Allow him that, is my opinion.

by Guest Sat May 13, 2017 1:43 pm

eddie wrote:This is a tough one but knowing myself the way I do, I'd be on the side of my son. Sometimes you have to let people follow their own decisions and their own path in life and this boy seems to know what he wants.

Allow him that, is my opinion.

Even though I think this is a poor decision by the boy and has been clearly influenced by the mother. Its wrong he was taken into care and its wrong to deny him his rights to deny the treatment.

by eddie Sat May 13, 2017 1:58 pm

Thorin wrote:
eddie wrote:This is a tough one but knowing myself the way I do, I'd be on the side of my son. Sometimes you have to let people follow their own decisions and their own path in life and this boy seems to know what he wants.

Allow him that, is my opinion.

Even though I think this is a poor decision by the boy and has been clearly influenced by the mother. Its wrong he was taken into care and its wrong to deny him his rights to deny the treatment.

I don't know if it's a poor decision as I don't know how he feels (and we don't know his outcome yet) but I agree with the rest of your post. Taking him into care whilst he's poorly seems pretty bloody stupid to me. He needs to be with the people who love him most and those people need to find a way not to turn this into a fight for what could be his last few months or years on this planet.

In this case I feel strongly that the father should shut the hell up now and support his son in his own decisions and make some harmony happen.

by Guest Sat May 13, 2017 2:05 pm

eddie wrote:
Thorin wrote:

Even though I think this is a poor decision by the boy and has been clearly influenced by the mother. Its wrong he was taken into care and its wrong to deny him his rights to deny the treatment.

I don't know if it's a poor decision as I don't know how he feels (and we don't know his outcome yet) but I agree with the rest of your post. Taking him into care whilst he's poorly seems pretty bloody stupid to me. He needs to be with the people who love him most and those people need to find a way not to turn this into a fight for what could be his last few months or years on this planet.

In this case I feel strongly that the father should shut the hell up now and support his son in his own decisions and make some harmony happen.

I can understand the father's position, as any loving Dad would want the best possible treatment for their son. Of which chemo is the best chances the son has. He should certainly not shut up but try to reason with this son, that this offers the best chances for him. I think its wrong to lay fault at the father here for simple wanting his son to live. In his position I would continue to try and convince my son, just as many loving parents would do.

by eddie Sat May 13, 2017 2:09 pm

Yes I understand all of that didge and I can't make you wrong - and this isn't about me having a downer on chemo either just to make that clear. If the boy wanted chemo and all this was the other way round ie his father didn't want him to have it, I'd still be on the side of the boy.
It's his illness and his decision.

Sometimes, you have to allow people to choose their own path even of you feel strongly against it. Perhaps this boy instinctively knows what's good for him?

All I know is, the fighting has to stop and the person who has the last word on how they're treated should be the patient.

But I really get where you're coming from. It's a tough one as ultimately, they all want what's best for him.

by Guest Sat May 13, 2017 2:11 pm

eddie wrote:Yes I understand all of that didge and I can't make you wrong - and this isn't about me having a downer on chemo either just to make that clear. If the boy wanted chemo and all this was the other way round ie his father didn't want him to have it, I'd still be on the side of the boy.
It's his illness and his decision.

Sometimes, you have to allow people to choose their own path even of you feel strongly against it. Perhaps this boy instinctively knows what's good for him?

All I know is, the fighting has to stop and the person who has the last word on how they're treated should be the patient.

But I really get where you're coming from. It's a tough one as ultimately, they all want what's best for him.

I understand your position Eddie and again I agree the boy should choose.
My point is there is no harm trying to still convince him otherwise.

I agree the fighting certainly has to stop, especially for the boys sake.

by magica Mon May 15, 2017 4:28 pm

I can see the boy's fedup with treatment, but if he was mine I would try to convince him to have it. It must be so hard on the parents tbh. Also over here he is a minor and wouldn't be able to make his own decision.

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