Scares the crap out of me... Handmaids tale is coming.

[longskirtlotsakids]

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavli ... born_child

Basically, a woman refuses treatment and dies of an aggressive cancer. She refused treatment to prevent possible harm to ther unborn baby. What is scary i how she is exalted in this article, that she "gave her life" when she had no chance of living from the get-go. A local radio host is singing her praises about how she is an example to all mothers.

If this is what women have to do to be loving mothers, I am afraid. SHe had stage iV cancer, and I would have done the same. Stage i and first trimester? I would have aborted and taken the chemotherapy, no doubt.

Can you find the typos and misspellings? Honestly, if the conservative media wants to be taken seriously, they need to at least have a copy editor that went to college.

[Trynn]

I think it is sweet that the mother did that, but I don't think the decision should be forced upon any woman.

And, couldn't the baby have died too, possibly?

[debrand]

This quote by the article's author is making me angry

Quite often, we hear the argument that abortion should be available if a mother's life is jeapordy. This woman laid down her life in a selfless act for her child, showcasing the precious gift of life women have to give, rather than take away.

What does this act have to do with abortion? She had the choice to decide what to do with her own body. That is what prochoice is all about.

Imagine a woman forced to loose her life in order that her fetus might reach a gestational age to exist outside the womb. She is going to be filled with resentment toward her fetus and probably won't take care of herself anyway. Her family might actually resent the resulting baby.

[Happygirl99]

It sounds like the cancer was severe enough that she would not have lived anyways, but her decision is not the same I would have made, but part of being prochoice is that was her right to make it. Sadly, 3 kids are without a mom now. Not sure what is going on with the whole story. It sounds like her brother? Has the kids?

Edited o add confusion about the kids left.

[MamaJunebug]

This quote by the article's author is making me angry

What does this act have to do with abortion? She had the choice to decide what to do with her own body. That is what prochoice is all about.

Imagine a woman forced to loose her life in order that her fetus might reach a gestational age to exist outside the womb. She is going to be filled with resentment toward her fetus and probably won't take care of herself anyway. Her family might actually resent the resulting baby.

Imagine the other possibilty: a woman forced to lose her unborn baby so that she might live for some other purpose. You could say it's happened in China, where women had to have female fetuses aborted so that the woman could birth a wanted male child, or just to keep the population rate low.

As you say so eloquently, debrand: the mother who forewent treatment so that the baby could live exercised her right of choice. That her acolytes would take the right of choice away from women even as they sing her praises is chilling.

And lest I forget: RIP, great lady from the news story.

[kayray]

It sounds like this women was fairly far along and it may be that she was given a low chance of survival to begin with. I am sure that also played a big part into things. I can, after seeing a few family members live and/or die of cancer, understand at some point not wanting the treatments at all or anymore for whatever reason and in effect, exercising your own individual right to make medical choices for yourself. But it is scary to exalt this example into martyrdom. She made a choice - that is what pro-choice is all about. Instead of using her to show other people's choices as wrong, how about respecting it was her choice, and encouraging support for those kids who are now without their mom.

As a related story, when I was about 17 or 18 and getting treatment for cervical dysplasia, I overheard the doctor talking with a nurse about another young patient who had been diagnosed with cervical dysplasia early in her pregnancy. This patient opted out of treatment of any kind (abortion was not necessary, but there were some concerns that treatment could risk the pregnancy), and by the time her pregnancy was done, she had full blown cervical cancer which had actually metastasized - they were going to be removing her cervix and other areas, and try chemo but it was such an aggressive cancer (given its growth over the pregnancy) and they were not very positive. I don't think her choice was wrong if it worked for her, even if it is not what I would have done. I still wonder time to time if she is alive and well today, or not.

[Katiebug]

In many cases a pregnant woman can undergo chemotherapy during pregnancy if she's past the 1st trimester and sometimes surgery is possible. I've read several blogs where women who are in their 20s and 30s go through chemo for breast cancer while pregnant, they get the baby delivered, and they went on to have surgery and radiation and more chemo after delivering. There are oncologists out there who specialize in treating pregnant women! Obviously it's not always possible and sometimes a prognosis is poor regardless of what is done re: the pregnancy, but there are often options beyond having to terminate.

Personally, if I was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant I would want to do my damndest to fight the disease and continue the pregnancy. I am pro-life for me in that I would not consider terminating a pregnancy unless 1) my life was in danger but I have a good chance of survival if I undergo a treatment that absolutely could not wait, or 2) the baby had known, confirmed severe deformities that were not compatible with life. Going through pregnancy and becoming a mother has perhaps paradoxically solidified my own "pro-life for me" stance as well as becoming more pro-choice in general.

NO woman should be forced to sacrifice her health or life for the sake of continuing a pregnancy against her will. I would never judge a woman put in a horrible position of having to choose between saving her own life or saving her baby, or want to take away her legal right to make the choice that is best for her family. That position above is for me only, and I can't think of many decisions that could be more personal or more heartbreaking. :cry:

[Bella99]

It sounds like this women was fairly far along and it may be that she was given a low chance of survival to begin with. I am sure that also played a big part into things. I can, after seeing a few family members live and/or die of cancer, understand at some point not wanting the treatments at all or anymore for whatever reason and in effect, exercising your own individual right to make medical choices for yourself. But it is scary to exalt this example into martyrdom. She made a choice - that is what pro-choice is all about. Instead of using her to show other people's choices as wrong, how about respecting it was her choice, and encouraging support for those kids who are now without their mom.

As a related story, when I was about 17 or 18 and getting treatment for cervical dysplasia, I overheard the doctor talking with a nurse about another young patient who had been diagnosed with cervical dysplasia early in her pregnancy. This patient opted out of treatment of any kind (abortion was not necessary, but there were some concerns that treatment could risk the pregnancy), and by the time her pregnancy was done, she had full blown cervical cancer which had actually metastasized - they were going to be removing her cervix and other areas, and try chemo but it was such an aggressive cancer (given its growth over the pregnancy) and they were not very positive. I don't think her choice was wrong if it worked for her, even if it is not what I would have done. I still wonder time to time if she is alive and well today, or not.

This.

[Kelya]

What if she hadn't had family for the kid to be adopted by? Would she still be a saint then? After all, the kid would be in the evil socialist hide your children and homeschool materials foster care system. Oh wait, nothing ever happens to people who don't have an extensive support system. My mistake.

I read about this on thestir and a few other sites and its disgusting, there are tons of pregnancy martyrs willing to lay down their lives for their fetus NO MATTER WHAT. IT IS FOR GOD. There are a few sensible commenters being like "Well, I already have two kids and would stick around for them. It'd suck, though" but they're in the minority over the pro lifers who are screaming with glee over this while saying, "don't make this a pro abortion thing!!!" as they wail and thank their god for such a pious woman.

Personally, I think her decision was the wrong one and I would have aborted and gotten treatment had I been in her position: single mom, father out of picture, aggressive cancer. But I am glad she was able to make the decision that was right for her Its just a shame that a huge bunch of women hating fucks will use this to try to further their quest to make women into breeding stock.

[emmiedahl]

This is the kind of crap that the Tea Party bitches were talking about last week. The problem is that most of them don't realize that this is not a typical pregnancy problem. One of them said that it is "probably the most common example of a dangerous pregnancy". Um, no. So they use the example of the baby living and extend it to ectopic pregnancies and such, in which the baby is not going to live regardless.

I think the lady made a brave decision, but really? that is a motherless child who will grow up knowing that she killed her mother. No one will put it to her that way, but we all know how kids see things in the most melodramatic light sometimes.

[LynnKaboom]

From what I understand, she was already very far along with the cancer and she had a low chance of survival anyway. In her position I probably would have done the same thing. Since I'd be taking the dirt nap very soon anyway, I'd rather that my child lived and had a good life than me surviving miserably for a few more months. However, while I was still alive, I would do my damnedest to make sure that there was a way for my children to have a good life, and not go into the foster care system if at all possible. But I've never been in the position, so I can't say for 100% what I would do, and it would really be up to the individual person facing the situation what they wanted to do.

[DamnPrecious]

From what I understand, she was already very far along with the cancer and she had a low chance of survival anyway. In her position I probably would have done the same thing. Since I'd be taking the dirt nap very soon anyway, I'd rather that my child lived and had a good life than me surviving miserably for a few more months. However, while I was still alive, I would do my damnedest to make sure that there was a way for my children to have a good life, and not go into the foster care system if at all possible. But I've never been in the position, so I can't say for 100% what I would do, and it would really be up to the individual person facing the situation what they wanted to do.

This.