Abraham Cherrix Update

Breaking news from a Virginia ABC affiliate:

A settlement was reached Wednesday in the case of Abraham Cherrix, the 16-year-old Eastern Shore teenager fighting for the right to forgo conventional cancer therapy to treat his Hodgkin's disease.

13News has learned that Cherrix will not have to undergo chemotherapy, but he will admit himself to North Central Mississippi Regional Cancer Center in Greenwood, Mississippi.

The teen was there last Friday and was treated by radiologist Dr. Arnold Smith, who does alternative treatments with radiation and is against the use of chemotheraphy.

Cherrix’s attorney said in court the Cherrix family believes this decision will lead to his cure of cancer.

The agreement, between the family and Social Services, requires the Cherrix's to provide the court updates on Abraham's treatment and condition every three months until he's cured, or turns 18, whichever comes first.

Circuit Court Judge Glen Tyler approved the agreement and added that the decree states that the parents weren't medically neglectful.

It is great that this boy is free to move on with treating his illness and is no longer bogged down with fighting the state. I am glad that they were able to find a more "legitimate" doctor, who shared their views on chemotherapy. If they were only using the clinic in Mexico, then the judge would have probably ruled against them - a ruling that would make it harder for others to seek alternative treatments for their children.

It is still disturbing that the state feels that they have the right to keep tabs on Abraham's progress. If the court decreed that the parents are not medically neglectful and Abraham is now seeing a government approved doctor, then they need to leave this family alone.