I started to answer a while ago but thought I was being too clinical in here. In trying to give you some info to put things in perspective I believe I did the post a deservice as I left out what for me as an intensivist is the crucial element. The patients will to live!!!!!
Aspergillius is not 100% lethal as the post above says was quoted but if you give up while treated your chance of dying rises enormously for reasons we have difficulty quantifying and understanding.
To some degree this disease discussion is like horse racing. The odds give you a liklihood which in some cases is not a certainty or false favorite. It is up to the caregivers like myself to provide the most positive environment possible without lying
Tonight I am starting the first night of another vigil for a dear friend who succumbed to a brain malignancy when he had a complication at diagnosis. 35 years old, no vices, fit as a fiddle, a 3 year old daughter and 1 due in in June. The stats would have given Scott at least 10 months survival without treatment . He died two weeks from diagnosis.....last Sunday night. The odds left us dumbfounded as to why.
It doesn't matter what we know or how smart we become God has his plan for us all and may we all be the beneficiary of his comfort when our time comes.
Mr Snow seems like an optimistic soul may Gods plan for him include comfort and mercy.
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