As we age and more friends and family face the cancer drama, we may find ourselves anticipating the shoe will drop. There is usually alot of hair raising panic as you schedule appointments, wait for biopsies, consults and procedures. You quickly search the web, often allowing the alittle too much information in.
If you have a new cancer diagnosis, go to “NCCN guidelines for patients” and find good information. For many diseases, other good valid sites,even non cancer, you will see information from Mayo clinic and Cleveland clinic with general overviews.
When Shelly and Jane were diagnosed, their ashen faces betrayed their investigative findings. Shelly has pancreatic cancer, one of the most difficult diseases with limited life expectancy. Her issue was common, with jaundice and back and abdominal pain rapidly advancing. Her outcome is uncommon. Following Whipple procedure – significant surgery and lymph node removal, she underwent chemo and radiation. Surprising to both of us, is that she comes to review scans 3 years from her diagnosis and her new scan is clean and clear. She looks fantastic, regrew her hair, is eating well and regained weight. She is active and headed to North Carolina to see her first grandchild turning one years old. She confesses his coming gave her something to live for, a widow at 72 years old. Her face is bright, her eyes excited and her demeanor powerful. We are both amazed and relieved.
Jane follows in exam room 2. Her fate is glioblastoma brain tumor. Life expectancy is months not years. Following surgery, she has completed chemo and radiation. Her 6 month scan is clear of disease but we will repeat MRI’s every 3 months. Jane does not want to talk about her cancer. She is showing me pictures of new baby twin girls her granddaughter delivered in England. With her good news today, she is flying out to visit them. Her immune system will be boosted with a powerful force and I have no doubt that if anyone can beat the odds it will be sweet Jane.
Never lose hope. These 2 most devastating disease stories remind us of the power both within and outside of us. New therapies are happening all the time. Research studies use of aspirin to avoid pancreatic and colon cancer. More immunotherapies are coming available and even cancer vaccines.
Here is my advice: If you want to fight,find a team on your side. No one wins wearing the opposing jersey. Every board certified oncologist is bound to provide the very best, most up to date options. Cancer is no longer a death sentence. It is often a pain in the ass problem, but come into the process with hope and expectations.
PS a word about Breast Cancer to honor the month, new guidelines are expected to add screening for those with family history at age 40 not 50, immunotherapies are being added for metastatic disease. Women are living much longer even with disease spread and docs are now used to managing you for years. Take heart. Remain proactive. For others when there is a vaccine ( being tested in UK) get it.
God Bless,and for those impacted by the recent storms, may you have strength to recover.