Dying of cancer because of Mom?

What would you do to save the life of your child? Would you die? Would you kill? Would you put your personal beliefs aside if it meant saving your child's life?

In Minnesota right now there is a mother who may well be sentencing her son to death because of her beliefs. Colleen Hauser is the mother of 13-year-old Daniel Hauser who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in January of 2009. Her son received one chemotherapy treatment and Ms. Hauser has since refused to allow her son to have treatment. She states that they are using nutrition and water with a higher pH to “alkalize” the body. Ms. Hauser asserts membership in an American Indian religious organization called Nemenhah, though they don't claim to be Indians/Native Americans.

Ms. Hauser has been quoted in several articles that she learned about the alternative healing techniques "on the Internet.'' She reports that she believes that her son "is getting better" contrary to all medical evidence.

Part of being a mother is knowing that there are times that the needs of your children have to surpass your own. For centuries mothers have put their needs aside to make sure that their children have everything they need. Mothers have skipped meals, scrimped and saved every dime, postponed their own medical care in order to provide for their children.

Every parent I know who has fought cancer has shared gratitude that it was they and not their child who was ill. I would go through any possible treatment if it means that they don't have to.

Ms. Hauser has every right to choose any type of treatment or no treatment at all when she is ill. Daniel Hauser is 13 years old, not old enough to drink, marry, drive, not even old enough to get a learner's permit. The decision about this young mans life and future now lie in the hands of Judge John Rodenberg. Let's hope that he has the wisdom to make a decision that his mother is unwilling or unable to make.