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Copywriting丨Health Science Doctor Wang
Editor丨Health Science Doctor Wang
In the hustle and bustle of the city, there is an 85-year-old man surnamed Li, let's call him Uncle Li.
His life story is like a movie with ups and downs, and now, this movie is playing the most exciting scene - Uncle Li was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer.
Faced with this sudden bad news, Uncle Li's reaction was beyond everyone's expectations.
He did not choose to lie on the hospital bed and wait for the judgment of fate, let alone undergo chemotherapy according to the conventional script, but picked up mahjong tiles, ate beef noodles in a big bowl, and vowed to live his dignity in the last stage of his life.
Such a decision undoubtedly caused an uproar among relatives and friends.
Some people shook their heads and sighed, thinking that Uncle Li was giving up treatment; Others are silently supportive, believing that everyone has the right to choose their own lifestyle.
But in any case, Uncle Li's move undoubtedly added a bit of legend to his later life.
Why did Uncle Li make such a decision? What are the profound thoughts about life, dignity and health hidden behind his choice?
1. Refusal of chemotherapy: a commitment to the quality of life
When the doctor handed the diagnosis of "advanced liver cancer" to Uncle Li, he did not immediately choose chemotherapy, which seemed to prolong his life, like most people. Instead, after much deliberation, he decided to refuse chemotherapy.
"I'd rather live with dignity than be like a test subject, living in the pain of chemotherapy." Uncle Li's words were loud.
He is well aware that although chemotherapy may temporarily delay the disease, the accompanying side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, etc., often greatly reduce the quality of life of patients. He prefers to maintain physical and mental comfort and pleasure in a limited time, rather than enduring the pain of chemotherapy in a hospital bed.
In fact, Uncle Li's choice is not without scientific basis.
In recent years, more and more studies have shown that for some patients with advanced cancer, overtreatment does not necessarily lead to a better quality of life.
Sometimes, respecting the patient's choice and allowing them to live their life in the way they like in a limited time is also a humane treatment attitude.
Doctors are also beginning to focus more on the psychological needs and quality of life of their patients, rather than just the length of life.
Uncle Li's refusal of chemotherapy is undoubtedly a vivid interpretation of this concept.
He used his actions to tell people that the dignity of life is not only about living, but also about how to live. He chose a path that seemed unconventional, but full of humanity.
2. Playing mahjong: a kind of spiritual comfort and social continuation
After refusing chemotherapy, Uncle Li did not choose to stay closed, but participated in social activities more actively.
Among them, playing mahjong has become one of his great hobbies. Every afternoon, he would show up on time at the mahjong parlor in the community to learn from a group of old friends.
"Playing mahjong not only allows me to use my brain, but also allows me to get together with my old friends, chat and joke." Uncle Li said with a smile.
In his view, playing mahjong is not only a form of entertainment, but also a kind of spiritual comfort and social continuation. At the mahjong table, he can forget about his illness for a while and enjoy the happy time with his old friends.
From a psychological point of view, Uncle Li's choice is indeed unique.
Maintaining a positive mindset and social activities in the face of terminal illness can help reduce anxiety and fear and improve the happiness of life.
Playing mahjong, an activity that requires the use of the brain, can stimulate brain vitality and delay cognitive decline.
This is undoubtedly a very beneficial physical and mental exercise for an 85-year-old man.
3. Eating beef noodles: the love of food and the enjoyment of life
In addition to playing mahjong, Uncle Li also has a big hobby, that is, eating beef noodles.
Whenever the first rays of sunlight shine into the alley, he would show up at his favorite beef noodle shop on time, order a bowl of hot beef noodle, and eat it in a big gulp.
"Isn't life just about eating well?" Uncle Li often said this.
In his opinion, even if life is limited, it is impossible to give up the love of food and the enjoyment of life. Every bite of beef noodles makes him feel the beauty and taste of life.
And science has also proved Uncle Li's point of view.
Studies have shown that food not only satisfies people's taste buds, but also brings psychological pleasure and satisfaction.
For cancer patients, maintaining a certain appetite and eating quality has a positive effect on maintaining physical function and mood.
Uncle Li's beef noodles are undoubtedly an indispensable part of his life.
4. Dignity and Choice: Uncle Li's Philosophy of Life
In Uncle Li's view, the dignity of life is not about how long you live, but how well you live.
He chose to refuse chemotherapy, not to give up his life, but to live in a more dignified way. With his actions, he illustrates what true dignity and choice are.
"Everyone has their own trajectory in life, and I chose a path that I feel comfortable with." Uncle Li said.
His words reveal a love for life and a commitment to dignity. In his own way, he tells people that the value of life lies not only in its length, but also in its depth and breadth.
Uncle Li's choice is not to encourage everyone to refuse treatment.
Everyone's condition, physical condition, and mental capacity are different.
But Uncle Li's story does remind us that when facing a terminal illness, in addition to medical treatment, we should pay more attention to the psychological needs and quality of life of patients. This allows patients to live the way they want to in a limited amount of time.
5. Doctor's point of view: respect the choice and pay attention to the quality of life
As a doctor, I understand the limitations of medicine and the complexities of human nature.
When faced with terminal illness, medicine often can only provide limited treatment methods, but cannot solve all problems. I prefer to respect the patient's choice and focus on their quality of life.
Uncle Li's choice, although it seems unconventional, is full of love for life and adherence to dignity.
His story shows us that when facing a terminal illness, we should not blindly seek to prolong life, but should focus on how to make life more meaningful and dignified.
That's not to say we should give up on treatment. Instead, we should provide patients with the most appropriate treatment and psychological support on the basis of respecting their choices. This allows patients to live the way they want to in a limited amount of time.
6. Conclusion: Live your own legend
Uncle Li's story continues. He still plays mahjong and eats beef noodles every day, enjoying his own life.
His choice may not be understood by everyone, but he uses his actions to explain what true dignity and choice are.
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