cancer

As a medical professional I'm not allowed to judge my patients but still as a
person I'm allowed to have opinions, and here's mine....I had a patient
recently with breast cancer that had spread throughout her body landing in her
lungs. Why? She felt the lump in her breast a few years ago but didn't want to
worry her family because of their history of breast cancer. That makes sense
to me. Don't get treated so they can watch you die slowly. No worry there. They
would much rather yell at her for not seeking early treatment that could have
halted the progression of the illness. Let them be angry at you, that's much
better than worry. Anger is active, worry is passive. Don't listen to the
warning signs from those that went on before you. Let their lives mean nothing.
Don't learn from them. When you meet them on the other side I'm sure they'll be
glad to see you. You'll be close enough for them to kick your angelic little
butt. If my daughter ignores signs of breast cancer to alleviate my anxietry
and I get to watch her gradually be eaten alive with cancerous cells I'll
surely thank her for considering my emotions, (after I kill her).

So many people beat the disease now with early detection. It's not the last word. My
mother died of breast cancer after a six year battle and I refuse to pass my
annual breast exam, I learned from her to be watchful. She didn't keep her
discovery a secret. She wanted us to be there for her. If her's had been caught
earlier she might still be with me today, (but she'd be pretty darn old). It's
to late for my patient but I hope the rest of her family has learned to listen
to their bodies and get annual check ups.

I work in a female laden profession and I've seen many develop various cancers
from breast, colon, pancreas and ovaries. We have many five year survivors and
lots more in the race. In case you didn't know, that's good. In fact I can't
think of a single cancer death! There are approximately eight breast cancer
survivors in the department, one of which is a man, yes men have breasts under
that chest hair. The lady with ovarian cancer was pushed by her significant
other to get examined. She is over one year post op and engaged, and boy, did she get a big rock, and it's not over her grave! She can hold her head up with pride but I'm surprised she can
hold her hand up. He stood by her the whole way. Her only concern was loosing
her hair. Get over it. Hair grows back. Life doesn't.(It may be eternal but not
eternally carnal) There are many fashion statements to be made with short hair,
and bandanas. We were jealous of her scarve wearing talents. I told her I was
going to get my head shaved in honor of her but she wouldn't let me be a copy
cat. She wanted to hoard all the compliments and attention! Her boyfriend was
more worried about her not getting treated. Ask him how he would have felt if
she wanted to spare him worry!

The colon cancer colleague was in her mid 60's, retirement age, when she received her diagnosis. She had her surgery and worked another 10 years till we forced her to retire so she could enjoy life. She is still alive.

There are success stories. Listen to them. Don't waste the lives
of those that warned you of your family history. Let your family and friends
worry about you, then let them rejoice with you when your battle is won!! I
work with a lady that is one year past pancreatic cancer. That is significant.
My own father is 15 years past a radical head and neck procedure done for
tonsil and tongue cancer, most die the first year.

Again, I can't stress it enough. Worry your family. Let them badger you all the way to the survivor celebration banquet. They'll be glad you did and no one will be waiting to kick
your butt on the other side. This is just my opinion though, ask your families
what theirs is.