Update on the boy ordered to have chemotherapy for a brain tumour
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382357)
Rockingham, Australia
May 16, 2016 10:00pm CST
I wrote some time ago about six-year-old Oshin Kiszko and said I'd keep you updated. Oshin has medulloblastoma (brain tumour) and his parents' wish for palliative care was over-ruled by a judge who ordered he undergo chemotherapy in an attempt to slow the progress of the tumour. While there has been partial response so far, doctors now want to introduce high-dose radiation which is estimated to give Oshin a 30 to 40% chance of a five-year survival. With radiotherapy his life expectancy is believed to be six months.
Associated with radiotherapy is a certainty of intellectual impairment, hormonal dysfunction, hearing loss and cataracts. It is interesting that the judge said at the end of his statement that the issue at stake was ethical rather than medical. He will rule before the end of the week if Oshin is to have radiation treatment or not.
23 people like this
20 responses
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 May 16
I don't think he will have much of a life whatever happens.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
17 May 16
it is good that the courts are offering him a fighting chance at survival
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
21 May 16
@JudyEv to him or his family? if he is untreated he will just die - faith is not a valid basis for ignoring scientific medicine
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May 16
@arthurchappell The cost to him would be loss of intellectual powers together with cataracts and hearing damage - and no guarantee of a much extended life. However since this was written, the judge has ruled out radiation but Oshin will continue to have chemo-therapy.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
17 May 16
this's so heartbreakin' 
. i'd not wish to be the judge who makes a rulin' 'n such. i reckon that "quality of life" goes out the window with the medical community these days? i watched a thingy the other day where they're usin' a revamped polio vaccine fer patients with this type'f brain tumor 'n i wonder if'n the lil fella aint a candidate fer such? i know 'tis still'n trials here'n the u.s., but wonder if'n such aint available 'round yer neck'f the woods??
. i'd not wish to be the judge who makes a rulin' 'n such. i reckon that "quality of life" goes out the window with the medical community these days? i watched a thingy the other day where they're usin' a revamped polio vaccine fer patients with this type'f brain tumor 'n i wonder if'n the lil fella aint a candidate fer such? i know 'tis still'n trials here'n the u.s., but wonder if'n such aint available 'round yer neck'f the woods??1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
18 May 16
@JudyEv that's the troubles with experts, they seem to be akin to politicians these days 'n mainly focus'n their own "agenda"...includin' medical treatments :( i truly feel fer this young'un, his family 'n friends.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 May 16
@crazyhorseladycx You wonder how much they consider the individuals involved sometimes. Some doctors think they should prolong life forever by whatever means available regardless of the wishes of the patient.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 May 16
It's a tough one, isn't it? Now the judge will have to play God.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
20 May 16
it sou nds l ike hes in the last stages whatever is decided so its hard to saywhat should or should not be done I hope that with e nough prayers he will be handedd
a miracle and get over the tumor and live for a longtme. miracles have happened.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May 16
The judge has said he doesn't have to undergo radiation and his parents have agreed to more chemotherapy. So we'll all keep our fingers crossed.
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
18 May 16
The poor little boy, I hope the decision goes better for him this time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 May 16
I don't think anyone holds out much hope for him. Mostly it's a case of trying to buy him a bit more time.
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
19 May 16
That poor child, the judge should consider the child and parents, they are the ones suffering.
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
23 May 16
@JudyEv I hope it works, but still think it should be the parents decision not the judges.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 May 16
His parents didn't want him to have the chemotherapy and the hospital took them to court.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
17 May 16
I just dont know how I feel on this one, it seems perhaps excessive.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
17 May 16
I don't know so much about radiotherapy. Hope the boy survive and get well soon.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 May 16
I don't think he is going to recover whatever they do. It is very sad.
