You Dropped Your Religion Card

Should the court order requiring Daniel Hauser, a 13-year-old with Hodgkins Lymphoma, undergo chemotherapy treatment be upheld despite his parents wishes? Seems to be the big moral decision of the week, now that the whole Carrie Prejean debacle has been reduced to a simmer.

Daniel’s parents, Anthony and Colleen Hauser, arguably, have legal guardianship and certain obligations as his parents. They also have the right to raise their son to the best of their abilities. That’s where the issue gets blurred. Are they looking out for the best interest for their son? Daniel’s parents claim that they don’t want him to receive the chemotherapy for religious reasons. Yet it was reported that the chemotherapy treatment made Daniel unable to walk.

Wait! They allowed a round of chemotherapy already? That negates the religion argument. The religion card is no longer eligible for play. Not to mention the test results supporting the reduction in the cancer after the first treatment. What is the real reason for not wanting to provide help for their son? And what if the courts were to reverse the decision to force the chemotherapy? What pain management would Daniel receive should the lymphoma become too much to bear? Western Medicine? Is Colleen Hauser sentencing her son to potentially painful death?

A warrant was issued for Colleen Hauser and Daniel who failed to appear for a hearing on May 19, 2009 according to the The Star Tribune . Just what is she running from? The case against her isn’t getting better. Like cancer untreated, things are getting worse.

My immediate response is yes, the courts have no choice but to step in for the 13-year-old who is unfortunate enough to have parents unwilling to take the necessary steps towards saving his life. And, perhaps more unfortunate, is the fact that he may not be able to make an informed decision for himself. I will not pretend to know Daniel’s ability to make medical decisions, however I assume the decision between life and death would be a difficult one to make. In this case, the doctors have provided a treatment proven to eradicate the cancer at a 90% success rate. Doctors have also informed Daniel that refusing the chemotherapy, his chance of survival is reduced to 5% chance. Those are some odds. What would you do? Personally I’d ask them to sign me up.

My wish for Daniel would be that he could sit down with Ted Kennedy who announced today that his cancer is in remission and that he’ll be returning to work. This is the influence that Daniel needs. The evidence of survival, the fight, the triumph over cancer. I don’t have any idea what living with cancer is like. However if I could chose life, I would. Hard to believe Daniel’s parent wouldn’t. Cancer, while so often shortens life, is not always a death sentence.