Running away from chemotherapy: What do you think?

This week we’ve been following s story about a thirteen-year-old boy, Daniel Hauser, diagnosed with cancer, who, along with his mother, decided to refuse chemotherapy.

Daniel Hauser responded well to a first round of chemo, then disappeared with his mother.

A Minnesota judge scheduled a court hearing to review an X-ray and assess whether the boy’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma was worsening.

Daniel and his mother did not attend the hearing, and the judge issued an arrest warrant. District Judge John R. Rodenberg of Brown County, Minnesota, said that the boy’s “best interests” require him to receive medical care. His family opposes the proposed course of treatment, which includes chemotherapy.

“It is imperative that Daniel receive the attention of an oncologist as soon as possible,” the judge wrote.

Daniel and his mother, however, are nowhere to be found.

We want to know what you think. Does the Hauser family have the right to refuse treatment for their 13-year-old son? Does the judge have the right to impose treatment? Morning Express viewers sent us their thoughts via text message, many of which are included below. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments field.

- While I feel the parents are wrong in the treatment, I have to side with them vs. the courts. It’s their right to refuse. – Ray in Kentucky

- It’s up to the parent. The government is just becoming more and more totalitarian, and this proves it. – Mike Sz

- Mom and son should decide, depending how advanced it is. Doctors save lives, but if the quality of life is so low, it should be the patient’s choice.

- The thirteen-year-old boy should be able to decide his own treatment. It’s his body, no one else’s. – Lea in Maryland

- I think the mother should choose because she is his mom and knows him better than anyone.

- I believe they should let them reject treatment. Just because they are different we should not punish them. – Saul

- I think the boy should listen to the doctors because they went to schooling for many years and know what they’re talking about. – Leanna

- The mother should definitely be able to decide the care for her child, not the government. – Steve in Virginia

- My husband and I have 8 children and 5 grandchildren and I cannot imagine letting them suffer through cancer. My mother is a 26-year cancer survivor.

- I could understand running with my child if he was terminal. She should be grateful that he has a type of cancer that is curable. – Joy Graziano

- Parents should have the only say in medical treatment. Not government. I worked in medicine for 25 years..

- At 13 with learning disabilities, I believe it’s parental neglect. As a survivor
later in life, I don’t think the young man would be angry he’s alive! – Rebecca in Washington

- I feel mom has the right to treat as they wish. But this is a treatable cancer so should she keep him away from treatment, knowing he will get better?

- Allowing this mom to deny chemo will open the floodgates for other parents to deny their children necessary medical help, okaying a degree of neglect.

- The government requires children to get shots. They sure require this treatment too! – Andrew in Florida

- Parents are allowed to decline vaccinations due to religious reasons, placing not only their children but others in danger. What’s the difference?

- Wow, I know I will never have chemo again or ask any one I love to have it.

- This is America; each person should have a chance to decide what he or she wants. I’m with the mom. – Dieter in Tennessee

- It’s a tragic situation but other people including judges should not force their opinions on anyone. It’s not illegal to find alternate treatment. – Nathan in New Jersey

- The decision should be left to the doctors. They are in that profession for a reason; they are the ones that save lives. – Brittany in Sarasota, Florida

- The case is supposed to be about the child but the mother seems to be shifting the focus to herself. Hats off to the judge! – Meg in Conyers, Georgia

- Suffering through cancer IS a difficult ordeal but so is suffering through chemo. The parents and child are obviously aware enough to make their own decision.

- As the foster mom of a special needs child, I agree 100% to removing a child from home if they are not receiving the care they need. – Melissa in Fairmount, Georgia

- It should be the mother’s decision especially if it’s based on religious beliefs. – Stacy in Pensacola, Florida

- It is the parents choice. The court has no right to impose its view on this subject! – Chele in Alexandria, Virginia

- Unless there is some evidence of neglect or mental handicap, the courts need to stay out of personal medical decisions, it is his life and his choice.

- I think that in life threatening events, those with experience and sound judgment should make the decisions. — J. Satterlee in Pennsylvania

- As a nurse, I believe that the patient always has the right to choose their heath care; however when it’s a child’s life, advocates should step in! – Amy

- A precedent has already been established – you have to vaccinate your kids, put them in child car seats, etc. Child welfare is everyone’s responsibility!

- After having 3 children I don’t think a 13 can truly make a decision regarding life or death. – JWW Jocelyn in Chattanooga, Tennessee

- She needs to hit her knees and BEG GOD for forgiveness! My 15-year-old daughter (a cancer survivor) and I watched this, and she cried and prayed!

- Not everyone want to go through all the sickness that chemo brings. I think they should be able to choose what kind of treatment they want. – Teresa in Illinois