Stubbornness shows up so often in our lives- not just errant children or hard to color grey hair (what?). As I review Miss Margaret’s pet scan, we are both troubled by the small lung cancer still evident- mocking us months after therapy. My brain is recalling Lady MacBeth’s ‘Out out damn spot”, but my words are hopefully more comforting. If a cancer is slow growing, it will take time to resolve after therapy – so have patience. Miss Margaret feels great- it is just a stubborn looking spot that can take up to a year to resolve on pet scans. For Miss Sallie, her distress is how stubborn breast cancer can be with even “cured” patients requiring surveillance for a long time. She joins the 8 million breast cancer survivors, but is impatient. I advise not putting life on hold waiting for the shoe to drop. Live fully and with joy and give the cancer no power over you. Fred awakens early daily to scan the internet for new therapy for metastatic prostate cancer. PSMA therapy is coming but awaiting FDA approval. He thinks that checking news will make it happen (a government agency act quickly??) I advise- “Fred, you are wishing your life away. As long as you feel well, wake to have a great day. Therapies will unfold for you at just the right time. His stubbornness is disturbing to his wife who wants him to let go of the daily drama.

Know who else is stubborn? Researchers. Antibodies targeting tumors are newly discovered and this week a new immune therapy for pancreatic cancer is being tested in mice. Thank goodness no matter what else is going on in the world, science still moves forward and docs and their mice never give up.

I admire stubbornness. Patients who demand the best treatment, second opinions, the newest research are probably also those who demanded attention, were obstinate and tenacious as children. All necessary traits to improve their outcomes. Over the years I have been impressed how those who think of themselves as wimps or shy eventually dig deep and become fierce, surprising themselves. This week we had several bell ringers who completed therapy- all with smiles, some with tears, but in every case wonderful brave people who were astonished at their own strength and fortitude. So when someone calls you stubborn, just say, “You say that like its a bad thing!” We know better. It is often just the right trait to bring you success- in life and health.