Dealing with the Big "C"
Cancer is no stranger to our personal and clinical life. I first heard the word "cancer" in relationship to the death of my father when I was 6-years-old. He died as a result of lung cancer, most likely acquired from asbestos exposure during World War II and accelerated by cigarette smoking. During my early childhood, I watched as lung cancer also took the lives of my grandfather and several of my uncles. A few years ago, my brother went to the dermatologist because he was concerned about some lesions on his face. The dermatologist was not impressed with those, but noticed a black lesion on his chest. It was a melanoma.
As a clinician, I have had to give this bad news to any number of patients. There was the 20-year-old with testicular cancer; the school bus driver with cervical cancer; the nurse with breast cancer; the 8 year old with a brain tumor; my college roommate with colon cancer, and one of my best friends and professional colleagues with pancreatic cancer.
Several years ago, a friend's husband was informed that he had advanced testicular cancer. He had six young children and he was only in his thirties. The family was devastated; treatment was not going well. It appeared to all that his cancer would win. His wife would not give up, however. She tracked down Lance Armstrong's doctor and spoke with him on the phone. A few days later, my friend's husband was on a plane heading to the clinic. After a series of tests and an exhaustive review of his medical records, this doctor came in to speak with him.
"I am here to tell you that we will not be treating your cancer," he said.
A few painful moments followed this shocking statement.
"No, we are not going to treat your cancer. We are going to CURE IT, and I will need your help"
I still get goosebumps every time that I think of this powerful statement. By the way, my friend's husband was cured.
For the last several months, we had been planning to take a European trip with some dear friends. Just prior to our departure, she was informed that she had lymphoma and would need to undergo several months of chemotherapy. Needless to say, we canceled our trip. Her prognosis is very good, however, so I suspect will go next year. Since we had schedule the time off from work, we decided to go back to Maryland to visit my brother and sister-in-law. Two days later, my sister-in-law was informed that her breast biopsy showed cancer. She would need to have surgery during our visit; followed by a five week bout of radiation therapy. I can tell you that I am not going to plan a trip with ANYONE for a while. Every time that I do, they get cancer!
Cancer used to be an automatic death sentence, but not anymore. With the advances of medicine, cancer - the Big C - is no longer the harbinger of the Grim Reaper.
My sister-in-law and her primary care doctor expected the tiny breast lump to be "just a cyst". It showed up on the mammogram. She was referred to a surgeon who performed a needle biopsy; a relatively-painless, office procedure. The pathologist who reviewed the tiny sample made the unexpected diagnosis.
Her doctors were outstanding. They spent the time to speak with her and my brother about her diagnosis and upcoming treatment. They were compassionate, professional, and informative. They provided my brother with a book to help him deal with his wife's diagnosis, and to help him help her. They met with the surgeon and the oncologist - the cancer specialist that will direct her treatment.
First, the word "cancer" scares the crap out of you. There is not a person in America that does not know someone that has had breast cancer. At first, the only one's that come to mind are those that have died. However, one by one, you can start counting off the larger number of women that have been completely cured.
There were six couples who came to my brother's impromptu birthday party. When my sister-in-law shared the news of her diagnosis; three out of the six women were breast cancer survivors! The amount of emotional support was unbelievable. They freely shared their stories and experiences. What better medicine than the support of friends?
I hope that if I am ever told that I had the Big C, I will react like my sister-in-law. To her, this was "no big deal". She will just get a lumpectomy, use up some of her ample sick time to get the radiation treatments, and get on with her life. This was just a bump in the road. Her biggest concern was the postponement of her annual vacation.
Her prognosis is excellent; no lymph node involvement; no spread of the cancer. Other than a bit of soreness, she went about her day like nothing had happened. I have seen people more troubled over a sore throat.
When people are given a diagnosis of cancer, they need two things: Hope and the Truth.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: living with cancer, health and wellness
As a clinician, I have had to give this bad news to any number of patients. There was the 20-year-old with testicular cancer; the school bus driver with cervical cancer; the nurse with breast cancer; the 8 year old with a brain tumor; my college roommate with colon cancer, and one of my best friends and professional colleagues with pancreatic cancer.
Several years ago, a friend's husband was informed that he had advanced testicular cancer. He had six young children and he was only in his thirties. The family was devastated; treatment was not going well. It appeared to all that his cancer would win. His wife would not give up, however. She tracked down Lance Armstrong's doctor and spoke with him on the phone. A few days later, my friend's husband was on a plane heading to the clinic. After a series of tests and an exhaustive review of his medical records, this doctor came in to speak with him.
"I am here to tell you that we will not be treating your cancer," he said.
A few painful moments followed this shocking statement.
"No, we are not going to treat your cancer. We are going to CURE IT, and I will need your help"
I still get goosebumps every time that I think of this powerful statement. By the way, my friend's husband was cured.
For the last several months, we had been planning to take a European trip with some dear friends. Just prior to our departure, she was informed that she had lymphoma and would need to undergo several months of chemotherapy. Needless to say, we canceled our trip. Her prognosis is very good, however, so I suspect will go next year. Since we had schedule the time off from work, we decided to go back to Maryland to visit my brother and sister-in-law. Two days later, my sister-in-law was informed that her breast biopsy showed cancer. She would need to have surgery during our visit; followed by a five week bout of radiation therapy. I can tell you that I am not going to plan a trip with ANYONE for a while. Every time that I do, they get cancer!
Cancer used to be an automatic death sentence, but not anymore. With the advances of medicine, cancer - the Big C - is no longer the harbinger of the Grim Reaper.
My sister-in-law and her primary care doctor expected the tiny breast lump to be "just a cyst". It showed up on the mammogram. She was referred to a surgeon who performed a needle biopsy; a relatively-painless, office procedure. The pathologist who reviewed the tiny sample made the unexpected diagnosis.
Her doctors were outstanding. They spent the time to speak with her and my brother about her diagnosis and upcoming treatment. They were compassionate, professional, and informative. They provided my brother with a book to help him deal with his wife's diagnosis, and to help him help her. They met with the surgeon and the oncologist - the cancer specialist that will direct her treatment.
First, the word "cancer" scares the crap out of you. There is not a person in America that does not know someone that has had breast cancer. At first, the only one's that come to mind are those that have died. However, one by one, you can start counting off the larger number of women that have been completely cured.
There were six couples who came to my brother's impromptu birthday party. When my sister-in-law shared the news of her diagnosis; three out of the six women were breast cancer survivors! The amount of emotional support was unbelievable. They freely shared their stories and experiences. What better medicine than the support of friends?
I hope that if I am ever told that I had the Big C, I will react like my sister-in-law. To her, this was "no big deal". She will just get a lumpectomy, use up some of her ample sick time to get the radiation treatments, and get on with her life. This was just a bump in the road. Her biggest concern was the postponement of her annual vacation.
Her prognosis is excellent; no lymph node involvement; no spread of the cancer. Other than a bit of soreness, she went about her day like nothing had happened. I have seen people more troubled over a sore throat.
When people are given a diagnosis of cancer, they need two things: Hope and the Truth.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: living with cancer, health and wellness
7 Comments:
This was a great post and it hit home for us. My BIL was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma in both lungs with mets to almost all bones. His Doc said the PET scan lit up every where, including his ribs.. MRI showed mets to brain. We are heartbroken as just one month ago he was still working every day and treating horrible back pains as though it was arthritis.
He had one radiation treatment and decided he just did not want anymore. he also refused to have any chemo. Three Drs. have given him the same prognosis with maybe a little more time if you chose Chemo and radiation. He wants to just let nature takes its course.
He is now on Hospice and they have been wonderful with him and my sister. We are right now visiting with them in Fla. and to look at him today you could not even guess this is all happening with him.
Personally, I am no stranger to cancer either. 12 years ago I had invasive cervical cancer. Now I have early CLL that does not require any treatment at this time. So I wait and get nervous at every 3 month blood workup.
I am so happy your SIL has gotten good news, meaning no invasion and no mets. Why isn't there yet a cure for this horrible disease?
I meant a cure for every one. Cancer in general.
I hope the anecdote you relate regarding Lance Armstrong's doctor is exaggerated. What a sadisitic way to tell someone they are going to get better!
I don't think Lance Armstrong's doctor is a sadist, nor do I think my friend exaggerated this story (Of course, he was there; I wasn't).
Sometimes, when you have a patient who is lacking the motivation to participate in their own care, you have to GET THEIR ATTENTION FIRST. I suspect this is what the doctor was doing. Out of context, it may seem unorthodox, but when you are caring for people, you have to individualize your approach. Every person is different. This approach to someone else may have been inappropriate, but not for my friend. He needed a dose of reality. Remember, he was giving up.
My friend who died of pancreatic cancer a few years ago, was a realist, like Cathy's BIL. After going through every traditional and non-traditional therapy, with all of their side-effects, he finally submitted to his disease. Sometimes, there is peace that comes with that most difficult decision. We are all going to die from something....at some point.
Hospice is a blessing. They are angels on earth.
I'm very glad that my oncologist did not feel the need to get my attention before telling me that he was going to CURE my cancer. He did use that word at my first visit, and it was wonderful to hear.
I can visualize circumstances in which a physician might respond to a despondent patient with just such a slap in the face -- so he'd pay attention. Both Lance Armstrong and figure skater Scott Hamilton survived advanced testicular cancer. To survive, you need to cooperate with the treatment. If you're too busy whining, you might not be able to do that.
Hi there, my dad goes in for his first chemo treatment in the morning @ 8 30 a.m . But the Dr. didn't make clear day before treament regarding med. and diet. My mom tried to get ahold of his Dr. or 1 on call but no luck! He is on several meds. Here is the list of all his meds; tylenol #3, potassium, daypro, effixor xr, nexium,atenolol,propranolol, lasix, bentyl, zocor and colace. He also has percocet to be given only when in extreme pain but not with tylenol #3. And today they called in prednisone. So how is he to take this with all meds or do we need to leave something out? Can he eat or drink? Are there restrictions on time? Amount? Do we need to be careful of gas forming food? sugar/salt? Hope you will answer all of our questions & concerns.
Blessed health to you.
I am really sorry, Miss Melissa...
The Blog is really not the place to ask a question, or get a rapid response. You can click on the link to the ENT board, but again, this question is really not appropriate for me to answer. ONLY your Dad's doctors should be addressin these very, patient-specific questions regarding medications, fluids, etc. I do not have enough information about your father or his case to answer them in place of his doctor.
My best to your Dad and your entire family.
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