Archive for May, 2009
I am writing this on behalf of my lifelong friend, Linda, who has survived her fourth bout of colon cancer (fourth stage). We have been friends since the first grade and she has always valued my opinions and suggestions – together we strove through this difficult time and as of today she is cancer-free.Eight years ago she was diagnosed with colon cancer about a month after her father had passed away from the dreadful disease. She had surgery and all went well – the doctors thought they got it all. One node came back positive so she did have chemo, but it was one of the mildest forms and side effects were few. She did get sick with the accumulation of treatments, but never lost her hair. …read the rest of this entry»
July 11, 2002 is a date that will be remembered by me forever. After months of what we were told was stomach problems from irritable bowel syndrome, by our primary care physician, he finally recommended my husband, Dale, have a cat scan. Normally, I wouldn’t go with Dale to medical appointments but for some reason I was compelled to go with him this time. I sat in the waiting room wondering what they were seeing with their cameras. Not more that 40 minutes later I looked up to find Dale coming out from the back offices with the film under his arms, tears in his eyes and a piece of paper with the doctor’s number on it to call. He called from the waiting room and was immediately connected to a doctor who told him to go check into the hospital, the scan showed a blockage and a surgeon was going to come speak to him. After admission, the surgeon came to the room and told us that he wanted to do exploratory surgery to find what the blockage was. Worst-case scenario, it would be a tumor. We agreed to the surgery and talked about how now at least we would find out what was wrong. The possibility of cancer did not enter our head. …read the rest of this entry»
Breast cancer awareness programs such as “Race for the Cure”, reminders to do monthly breast self-exams in the back of women’s magazines, and greater media coverage on the subject make it virtually impossible for women to ignore breast health.
However, this is what some women are doing. They are ignoring their breast health in the hopes that they won’t have to deal with breast cancer. By not actively practicing preventive breast health, they are denying that they could potentially get breast cancer. This is playing the naive and dangerous game of “Not me,” when, in reality, the name of the game is “Why not me?” Personal beliefs and attitudes about breast cancer are the first things one must face in order to start taking responsibility for one’s health and body.
Which Profile Fits You? …read the rest of this entry»
The struggle of allowing others to help me and simply saying “thank you” was very difficult.He could not be talking about me! I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience, soaring above the doctor and me. I listened to him tell me that I had a growth blocking my colon. Deep inside, I knew it was cancer. As a nurse, I could ignore the signs no longer. The mind is a powerful thing. It allows you to believe what you wish when the truth is too unbearable.My symptoms had persisted for several months before I finally visited my gynecologist for a regular checkup. He asked me questions that I could not avoid answering. The result was a visit to a gastrointestinal specialist for what I hoped would be the diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids. I knew better, but I had hope. That was the day my journey with cancer began. This was a strange journeyterrifying at times, yet also rewarding in many ways. Who in their right mind could call the cancer experience rewarding? Allow me to explain. …read the rest of this entry»
I reflect on the fact that I almost died to show me how much I really wanted to live!Before my diagnosis of leukemia, I struggled with depression. At times I felt it would be better to die than to live with the depression, mistrust, and anger. I felt bitterness toward everything. Most of the time I was in denial. Only my family and close friends knew of my despair.Something happened to me when I was told, “You have leukemia.” Everyone I personally knew who had leukemia had died. Suddenly, I wanted to live! The very doctor in whom I had confided about my depression and despair said, “This reminds me of the story It’s a Wonderful Life.” I finally realized that there are so many great things about life. I fought very hard to live. My usual negative outlook turned to positive energy. I focused on getting well. …read the rest of this entry»
My name is Tammy and at the age of 28 I was told that I have cervical cancer. I had always wanted kids and this diagnosis rocked my world. I had always gone for my annual pap smears and the doctor always told me that I had an infection but it was “nothing an antibiotic can’t take care of.” This went on for 4 years. Then the fourth year he called me and told me that I was OK. Two weeks later I was informed that I needed to see a specialist. I was in horror. …read the rest of this entry»
the presence of malignant (cancerous) cells in the bladder. Although not seen that often in the United States as compared with other countries, it is the more frequent cancer of the urinary tract. In 1999 about 54,200 people were diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States, and about 12,100 died from the disease. Bladder cancer occurs most frequently in white adults between the ages of 50 and 70, with men developing it about three times more often than women.
The most common type of bladder cancer is transitional cell carcinoma (90%), which arises from the transitional epithelial cells that line the bladder. The other types of bladder cancer include papillary, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. …read the rest of this entry»
[audio:http://www.cancer-centre.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2009jan9.mp3]
My name is Debra and I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in 1995. I underwent a radical hysterectomy at the age of 37. My purpose for writing this story is to reach out to all women around the globe so that they will have a better understanding of meeting with their OBGYN on a yearly basis, as I do not feel there is enough emphasis placed on this disease.The year was 1995 and it had been three years since I had a pap smear. I was the type of person who was too busy, worked for a corporation, and thought that cancer would not affect me. Therefore, I did not have my yearly exam with my OBGYN. I felt my career was more important than my health.
In February of 1995 I decided to go away for a week to visit my parents in Florida. I had not been feeling well, but I chalked it up as stress and went anyway. Unfortunately I became very ill during my vacation. I went for tests and I was told that I had strep throat and mono (not a fun vacation). …read the rest of this entry»
He left, and I felt loved!My first friend came and expressed his shock by saying, “I can’t believe that you have cancer. I always thought you were so active and healthy.”He left, and I felt alienated and somehow very “different.”My second friend came and brought me information about a variety of cancer treatments. He said, “Whatever you do, don’t take chemotherapy. It’s a poison!” …read the rest of this entry»
Friendships are strengthened as we walk through the valley of cancer.I never really understood what it meant to have your world turned “upside down” until July 31, 1980. I will never forget the doctor’s words: “I’m sorry, but you have cancer.” He went on to explain that I had malignant melanoma that had spread to my lymph system. I was in shock. He told me that he knew of no effective treatment. He referred me to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, where I underwent surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Because I had more than 50 malignant lymph nodes involved, my prognosis seemed grim. …read the rest of this entry»
