The Issue:A 13-year-old Minnesota boy whose family has rejected chemotherapy to treat his cancer is near Los Angeles, California, with his mother, and the pair may be planning to travel to Mexico, authorities said Thursday.
Brown County, Minnesota, Sheriff Rich Offmann cited "reliable information" in making the announcement to reporters, adding that Colleen Hauser may be seeking treatment for her son's lymphoma in Mexico, just south of San Diego, California.
"I'm confident we will find them," Offmann said. "I'm hoping for Daniel's sake, we will find them."
Anthony Hauser, Colleen's husband and the boy's father, has been cooperating with law enforcement, Offmann said.
Family spokesman Dan Zwakman told CNN Thursday that Anthony Hauser was not aware that his wife was taking the child.
"From all appearances," Zwakman said, "it was a case of her decision by herself."
The boy's father and mother have not been in contact since she left, the spokesman said. -CNN
My Issue:
Daniel Hauser lives with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After one chemo treatment it was decided to discontinue further treatment based on their religious convictions.
Honestly, this is a tricky situation and unfortunately, no matter how the outcome, no one is going to come out a winner.
Yes, as American’s we have the right to our own religious beliefs and no state or government has the right to deny this right. But the question comes into being, when does one’s right begin and end. And in this case where do we draw the line or can we?
My personal belief is that every option should be explored. Why not include alternative medicine alongside conventional medicine. What will it hurt? At least the treatments will be done with the careful eye of a physician. If one or the other or both works then at least every attempt has been explored and the right form of treatment can be established that will best benefit the sick.
Hodgkin's lymphoma is treatable. As to how it’s treatable may be harsh, but at least it’s treatable and those with Hodgkin’s lymphoma can live healthy productive lives. In light of this fact, I believe that the parents must allow their child a chance to live a healthy productive life. The road to getting there may be harsh, but at least the child will survive. By not allowing treatment they are committing their son to death and I believe this is wrong. On the other hand, should their son have an incurable disease for which any kind of treatment would be in vain, then I could fully support their decision to not proceed with treatment and allow the son to live as happy of a life he can while he is here on earth. Like I said; no matter how the outcome, no one is going to come out a winner.
Honesty, the best thing we can do is pray for the right outcome.
I believe 100% that cancer doesn't kill people...chemotherapy does. What is maddening about conventional cancer treatment physicians is that they ony have two option, chemo and radiation. If those don't work, they have nothing else to offer, but heaven forbd you try alternativ treament, because that is not "scientifically proven". As the neice of a cancer patient, I saw how great my uncle was doing on alternative treatment. He wtn from laying on the couch unable to move and waing to sleep all day to up and about doingdishes and going for walks. Once his oncologists startd to discourage him from the altermative treament, even though they had NOTHING ELSE to offer him, he stopped the alternative treatment and was dead in a month. All doctors care about is getting their big fat bonus check from the pharmaceutical companies and saving their huge egos.
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