When to stop treatment with stage IV metastatic rectal cancer?

That is the million dollar question. I have been having candid conversations with my family, my husband, & my oncologist. We have watched several TedTalks on YouTube, on dying, & end of life. Both my husband & I have found this to be very helpful. I don’t think there is a universal answer. But there seem to be a lot of commonalities. I know this isn’t an answer, but I hope it’s helpful. Best of luck to you. I hope you have a good support system.

@mustang08, such a good question. It sounds like your husband's current treatment is to provide comfort, not remission. Palliative treatment can be to help with pain and to reduce other quality of life-limiting symptoms like nausea or vomitting.

Is this what is happening? Are the treatments helping or hindering quality of life?

@amyb5, you're so right that the choice is individual. And that choice can be modified along the way. My dad thought he was going to not take chemo with stage 4. We all were comfortable with that decision. But in consult with the oncologist, he changed his mind. He chose chemo for 6 months and then decided to stop. Each decision was right for him and our family at the time they were made. If you have any links to TedTalks that you found particularly helpful, feel free to post them.

Reduced treatment dose again today so I think the answer will become apparent soon. Dr is not pushing either way so we’ll lean on our faith and find joy in each day!

There are so many that I’ve found very helpful, but this one helped me say what I want to my family & friends in my end of life wishes;