Too Young to Die

Rosa is 38 years old. She has been treated for advanced breast cancer and her cancer doctor has told her there aren’t many treatment options left. Her cancer has spread to her bones and her brain and she’s in constant pain despite being on powerful pain killers. It’s hard for her to spend time with her 2 young children because of her pain. She’s in bed most of the day and has lost considerable weight. She’s been told she may have months to live. She has anxiety and is depressed at the thought of dying and leaving her family.

Some issues and questions that Rosa’s story highlights:

1. How can her pain be better addressed so that she can have quality time to interact with her family?
2. Who might be able to help her address her depression and anxiety?
3. Who would make medical decisions for her if she were unable to do so herself and what types of treatments would she want?
4. How can her young children and her spouse be best supported?
5. What’s important to her now?