T R

What I Thought

Over the years I have known several people who have died from cancer. Some of those I had been closely involved with, yet I never got involved in understanding the specifics of cancer. As a result when I was diagnosed I had little understanding of cancer and much of my knowledge was based on misconception, ignorance or just plain myth .

 

What causes cancer

I had always thought cancer was a disease in itself caused by its own device

 

 

Surgery

As stated, I accepted that cancer was in itself a disease. If you removed the cancer it would logically

When I first visited the pulmonologist I understood surgery to be a sound option,

I would suggest

 

If oxygen comes into contact with cancer through surgery or procedure, it will spread uncontrollably.

This is pure myth, one that can cause

To the contrary, my reading has shown me

 The danger from misinformation is obvious,

 

 

Genetics

For many years cancer has been observed to run in families and thought to possibly have been caused by some genetic factor. Indeed in my family alone

The fact that such a high percentage got cancer was disturbing for me, in an unusual way.

Families generally share

 

Quick Treatment

I thought that if you were diagnosed with cancer, doctors automatically went into high gear to start treatment

This indifferent approach

No matter that cancer can be life and death, weekends

Bottom line,

 

The Doctor knows best.

Doctors are human beings. They are subject to the same

I have been privy to the treatment of a few newly diagnosed cancer victims and I need to pass on their unsatisfactory journey.

One woman was diagnosed with breast cancer  

Another person was told he had a tumor attached to his lung.

Doctors are human beings. They are subject to the same failings

 

 

Advised of Survival time.

When ever I heard talk of someone that was newly diagnosed with cancer it was often mentioned the time that person was given.

 

Following my being advised I had stage IV lung cancer I asked my Oncologist how much time I had.

 

Statistics are just that, whether they are average, median, or mean,

 

This is another example that logic can follow bad information.

 

A latter comment from my oncologist was, “everyone thinks its doom and gloom“. 

As I was coming to grips with the average life span for a stage IV cancer patient

Survival is a personal challenge!

don’t be so quick and established

 

Remission

Remission is a positive event in the course of cancer treatment

In my mind remission was a normal phase of the disease,

 

Within 6 weeks of being treated with chemo I was no longer experiencing pain

 

Even if I were just covering up the symptoms I was felt lucky that I may just have a comfortable end.