I have been invited for a colonoscopy as I have repeated bouts of diverticulitis. However I really don’t want to have one at all, in fact it’s quite a frightening prospect. But it’s not even the examination that’s stopping me, but the fact that I have no intention of having any operation, invasive treatment or chemotherapy if they find something bad. I suffered with my husband for 7 years as he fought stage 4 colon cancer, it was hell for him and as I am now on my own I know that I could not cope with any of that. If I do not intend to have treatment then really what is the point of having a colonoscopy that someone else who needs it can’t have, because I’ve taken up one of the appointments.
Have any of you decided, that if you were seriously ill, you would have no treatment?
I am 61, with health issues already that aren’t fatal but painful. I do not want to burden my children with any of this so would welcome your opinions, if you would care to offer them.
Many thanks