Hi, Colleen. I'm awaiting the oncologist returning to the office to schedule a discussion with him. My age is a decision-making factor, but perhaps in an unusual way in my mind. Nearing age 90, I feel in good health despite a history of hypertension and cancer. Removal of most of my colon reduced benefits from my digestive system, and that has led to loss of musculature to the tune of a quarter of my body weight. My urinary system lacks efficiency from my kidneys and clearance through my prostate. And atrial fibrillation is an inconvenience for my heart but without any conscious symptoms. My blood pressure improved to normal levels for me after my PCP and cardiologist agreed I should drop use of a beta-blocker heart med after several years.

The age factor weighs in favor of focusing on using the lifetime I have left to help build public and political support for the new treatments and cures emerging from medical research over the last couple of years. Some of those are exciting and promising, and I'd enjoy being a guinea pig in making them safe and effective. Martin