Quote Originally Posted by DarkSkies View Post
Hey guys and gals. I've made it my mission to learn more about cancer.

The recent sadness that Pebbles and I have been through makes me think that there are a lot of people out there who do not have all the facts on cancer, so I'm asking anyone out there who can help us, to post up in this thread with any links, articles, personal anecdotes, anything they feel will benefit someone else down the road.

A little knowledge can be a good thing. Too much can turn you into a hypochondriac. It also depends on where you get your facts. Here's a real kick in the *** study, not cancer, but important nonetheless. Too easy to get info on the internet very hard to separate fact from fiction. http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/...d_uncover.html

I have a cousin, who's like my older sister and a few years back was diagnosed with breast cancer. When it comes to politics and health care we are worlds apart. She's really got it in for US healthcare and the large pharmaceutical companies. Kind of ironic that in the end she chose the traditional western medicine approach as opposed to alternative treatments. Funny how that works out. I can't begin to tell you how much alternative stuff I was sent when i got my diagnosis. However when your life depends on your choice of treatment it's a whole different ball game.



Cancers like pancreatic cancer, spine cancer, and in some cases bone cancer, are probably to a large extent not curable. From what I've seen in life, anyone getting these types most often dies, albeit at different times.

And I don't mean to insult anyone who has or knows someone who gets any of the above cancers, my heart goes out to you people.

The main point I'm trying to make here is that not all cancer is curable, no matter how much we hope and pray.Prayer will not cure pancreatic cancer, if that person was meant to survive, they will. The best thing I have learned is that it's never too early to prepare for the possibility of death if you have a cancer diagnosis.

I dealt with two surgeons. The one who diagnosed me and set me up with the mad scientists and the one who performed my surgery. The first was a dull, serious demeanored gent who laid it out for me and frankly didn't sound very optimistic. The second told me after the exam, you're not going to die, if you had to get it, this is the most curable cancer. i said "what about the bag" and he said I won't know for sure until we open you up.

The first doctor talked to me as if the glass was half empty, the second as if it was half full. The second sounded a little more positive and that gave me Hope I guess hope is where that positive attitude that everyone talks about comes from.

I can't speak for everyone, but once you've been diagnosed, all the ads for new hospitals, new treatments, new doctors, new tests, all the celebrity patients that come out about their illnesses, news about their deaths, or talk shows where they talk about their mom or dad dying and you must go out and get your exams, all of that, that used to sound like so much buzzing or background noise, an interruption to your music or ballgame, now has you on some sort of sensory overload, where you just sigh and say to yourself, "my god this s*** is everywhere. It's like there is no balance, no happy medium. It's hard to stay upbeat listening to all that stuff, seriously!

As far as prayer, if it makes one feel better, if they find comfort in it, great. If someone takes the time to pray for me, I thank them. If nothing else it makes them feel better.
Death is the final destination for us all..... but on the way there, there is nothing wrong with taking charge and celebrating our life, mending the broken fences of failed relationships and hurt feelings, and in general making peace with those we are close to.

As mentioned. I'll try to focus on the allegedly treatable cancers, prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, etc. Also the best suggestions for early detection.

I can't do this by myself, people, I need your help.

Each and every person in this world has in some way been touched by cancer, and I'm sure some of you have some painful stories to tell.

So I'm asking for your help and participation in this thread. If it's personal to you, and you absolutely cannot share it with the public, so be it.

But if you feel for one second that what you have to say could help someone else down the road, please share with us.

I'd say the one thing I could offer people who may have to deal with colorectal cancer is Hope. It'll be seven years in March. As far as dealing with it, humor worked for me and much of it was far from PC. That's just my personality. Didn't want any sympathy and I don't give it. Whenever I heard the words "sorry to hear that" i'd usually reply "why". Really ****s people up when you say that I always tell people to laugh. When you laugh you feel better than when you cry and that's what it's all about.

I have mixed feelings about things like support groups. Never went to one. Some like them, others don't want to go near them after sitting in a few times.

For the friends and relatives. Some people seem to thrive on pity and sympathy, I'm not one of them. I've reached the stage in my life, that if i really need help I'll ask for it. While I appreciated the offers for help, quit nagging me.

I think most people who have lead a healthy, active, independent life, do not want to be constantly fussed over, pampered, or reminded that they're sick. That may be one of the reasons why people keep quiet about it. After awhile you get tired of people asking you "how are you feeling" being how they may never have asked before. If you normally greeted me with a "wassup" no need to change now.

I have one friend who i see a few times a year during the fall run. Ever since the operation he always asks me how i feel. I know what he means, but i make him squirm, tell him about my arthritis, or herniated discs, or pinched nerves or whatever else comes to mind. The man refuses to say Cancer. I'll string him along for awhile and then let him off the hook after he gives me a few "you knows"

What knowledge or advice any one of you might have, and not feel is important, could help save a life down the road someday.

Just remember there are no right or wrong answers or opinions in this thread. All input is welcome as long as it is given respectfully in the spirit of helping others.

And I don't have to remind any fishermen out there that we have lost quite a few of our fishing brothers to cancer, one of the most recent being Gary Hull, the well-known maker of Gary2 plugs, who succumbed to complications from prostrate cancer last year. RIP, Gary.

Although I only got to talk to him a few times, I admired and respected him. I remember exactly where I was the night I heard he died, and where I was fishin.

He left us way too early. Who knows if his disease could have been arrested from early detection, but early detection is the best way we have now of saving someone's life.

So apologies if this is a little long winded, or if you feel it doesn't belong in the main forum, it is what it is, as JimmyZ says.

Please help us if you can by contributing to this thread, opinions, comments, or any articles you find out there, as long as you post the link for the article as well. Thanks.
cheers

steve