Best Health News

Advertisers



Recent comments

Who's online

There are currently 0 users and 5 guests online.
Home

A Cancer Statistic? Not You, Not Me

Quality (60)
Helpful (57)
For some, a diagnosis of cancer evokes frightening images of unpleasant treatments and unwanted results. For others, it evokes a surreal state of numbness, as if they are no longer a part of this world. No matter how one reacts emotionally to their diagnosis, one question and one question alone emerges almost immediately. “Doctor, what are my chances?” The desire to know the doctor’s belief concerning our probable fate is of overriding importance. I know. I’ve been there. Naturally, we want to hear there’s a 100% cure; but most doctors can’t and won’t make us that promise. Still, the answer to the question is typically phased as a percentage. Fortunately, my doctor had a finer answer. One January morning in 1998, my hip seemed to catch as I swung my feet out of bed. The catch wasn’t debilitating. In fact, I played 9 holes of golf that day. It never occurred to me the problem was anything else than a pulled muscle. Yet, cardinal days later I found myself in a hospital bed, sick from exploratory surgery, where masses of tumors had been saved in lymph nodes in contrasting parts of my body. The surgeon had done nothing but sew me back up. The next day a new doctor, an oncologist, came by my hospital room, and I asked him the question: “What are my chances?” “I prefer not to talk in those terms,” he replied. He explained that statistics come from studies that are usually a hardly a years old, and that most could be considered outdated by the time they are published. And who was to say the factors affecting the specific people in those studies were exactly like the factors present in my case? I listened, but I wasn’t sure I believed. I had always heard people talk of survival in terms of chances, but I remained quiet as he continued. He said my situation was serious. The tumors were fused against vital arteries and attempting to remove them was risky as I might be lost on the operating table. We needed to begin treatment the following Monday (this was Friday). We would mount an aggressive counterattack on these renegade cells with high powered chemotherapy and we would be working with cardinal of the best radiologists around. I was scared. I didn’t want to think about the treatment. I just welcome him to get rid of the cancer. We agreed I would think about what he had told me and he would come back the next day to answer my questions. Before he’d arrived that day, a friend dropped a book off for me to read. It was about surviving cancer treatment with the use of meditation and guided imagery. I had no experience with those techniques, but was open to learning about them, as by now I was searching for any support in dealing with the threat before me. I was not yet convinced by the doctor’s statement concerning “scientific studies.” After all, every person I had ever know or heard of with cancer knew what their chances were. Perhaps he just didn’t want to tell me how hopeless my situation really was. I had practiced law for twenty years and was a skeptic. Without corroborating evidence, I did not believe. I upturned to the book on the hospital tray for a necessary a diversion and began to read. An entire radical world opened up. I read about the mind/body connection and about medical doctors who believed in the healing power of hope and faith. I read success stories of people who saw their treatments as opportunities for survival, as opposed to dreaded ordeals. I read about finding one’s true self and true healing. And as I read, a deep-seated truth emerged. A diagnosis is needed for survival. A prognosis is not. The question I’d asked my doctor the night before was one I didn’t need answered. I had welcome statistics. I had wanted to know the odds. But I wasn’t a statistic. None of us are. We are each distinctly different human beings, and our lives can only be compact by statistics if we allow ourselves to believe we are controlled by what may have happened to others. Through the wisdom of my doctor and the thoughtfulness of a friend with a book, my understanding of my destiny had been reshaped. God made each of us as individuals, with the ability to have individual futures that are unique. If a diagnosis of cancer or some other life threatening event is thrust upon, we are not bound to despair. We have the God’s permission to help shape our future, and the most destructive thing we can do is believe otherwise. Copyright © 2005 Alpha Ward-Burns. Alpha Ward-Burns, a cancer survivor and co-founder of Skin Solved, a skincare company devoted to beautiful, healthy skin, is currently working on a book concerning her treatment and recovery from cancer. You may contact Alpha at http://www.skinsolved.com Article Source: http://www.articledepot.co.uk
Technorati Tags: Health belief cardinal debilitating desire to know diagnosis doctors emotionally fate fortunately holes images january morning numbness one question pulled muscle surreal unwanted results Array
Submitted by root on Sun, 2007-04-22 03:08.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Filtered words will be replaced with the filtered version of the word.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • You can use Textile markup to format text.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img>
More information about formatting options

Similar entries

  • Sexuality and Cancer Treatment
    You will not believe this statement that cancer treatment might affect one’s sexual life. But this is true. Studies have shown that operation finished to treat cancer damages some nerves and that leads to impotence or Erectile Dysfunction. In the beginning you won’t realize what the problem is and slowly- slowly problem becomes really severe. To get rid of cardinal problem you will have to face other problem if the doctor is not good. Impotence after some cancer treatments: a) Pelvic b) Bladder cancer c) Colon cancer d) Prostate cancer e) Rectal cancer If you have been operated or are active under treatment for above mentioned cancer than you are more likely to suffer from ED.
  • Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra
    If you are reading this article, chances are that you or someone you care about has cancer right now! Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of defective cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce much cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. Sometimes, however, this orderly process goes wrong. spic-and-span cells form equal when the body does not need them, and antediluvian cells do not die when they should. The unnecessary cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or a tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be cancerous (cancerous) or kind (non-cancerous). Cancer has been around as long as mankind. In the second half of the 20th century, the number of reported cancer cases exploded. Due in part to the overload of toxins, pollutants, stress, dietary changes, lifestyle changes with people being less physical active, increasing numbers of pathogens, electromagnetic stress, artificial lighting and thousands of things that were not around 100 years ago. All of these combine to weaken your exempt system and alter internal bodily functions, thus clearing the way for cancer to develop.
  • Terminal Diagnosis and the Question of Prognosis
    As intelligent hominian beings, we know and understand that we can not live forever, we are not strangers to suffering and death, however as long as we are healthy, we do not think of the inevitability of our personal death, and equal if we do, we prefer to believe that it will not happen until our dotage. After all, there are so galore things we want to do in our lives and we have galore plans for the future.

    There is nothing that can prepare us for the shock and devastation of a last diagnosis and the knowledge that we can no longer take our lives, or the life we share with our loved ones for granted. last diagnosis usually comes with a prognosis (Estimated time of survival) and this intensifies our turmoil. It is one thing to accept that your life is restricted it is other to be acknowledged a time in which it is expected to end.

  • Inspirational True Story of a 17 Year Cancer Survivor who had a Tumor Wrapped around her Heart at the Age of 2

    New Book: Heart Knots ~ The Story of a True Survivor by DeeDee Kindley, M.S. follows a true story of courage, strength, hope, recovery and inspiration. . . Written with hope of letting cancer patients know they are not alone and there are actions they can take to fight for their recovery, Heart Knots ~ The Story of a True Survivor chronicles the author's story. It also includes her "secret" to survival, the role of an active patient, cancer facts and fiction, how therapeutic support groups affect survival, her high school graduating class's Cancer Cluster as determined by the CA State Health Department which received media attention, and a section filled with resources for cancer patients and their loved ones.

  • Inspirational True Story of a 17 Year Cancer Survivor who had a Tumor Wrapped around her Heart at the Age of 2

    New Book: Heart Knots ~ The Story of a True Survivor by DeeDee Kindley, M.S. follows a true story of courage, strength, hope, recovery and inspiration. . . Written with hope of letting cancer patients know they are not alone and there are actions they can take to fight for their recovery, Heart Knots ~ The Story of a True Survivor chronicles the author's story. It also includes her "secret" to survival, the role of an active patient, cancer facts and fiction, how therapeutic support groups affect survival, her high school graduating class's Cancer Cluster as determined by the CA State Health Department which received media attention, and a section filled with resources for cancer patients and their loved ones.

  • Aint Got Time to Die
    It’s 8:00 antemeridian in the centrical design office at Rifton, a spic-and-span York firm that manufactures equipment for the disabled, and Carole Neal is at her computer, reviewing assembly documentation and revising drawings of parts for new products. preceding the desk is a large painting of a beach, and a flaming sign: "Carpe diem!" For her the slogan (Latin for "seize the day") has special meaning: she often wonders how many much she’ll have. cardinal years ago, this mother of cardinal was diagnosed with breast cancer. A first round of chemotherapy resulted in remission, but now the cancer has returned—with a vengeance.

  • Healing Through Stories
    Vicki Rackner, MD

    Stories are powerful. How many times have you detected a child beg, *Tell me a story.* Scientists say we are bugged to learn finished stories. In fact, the first cardinal polysyllabic words your child spoke are most likely Mommy, Daddy and story.

    Story-telling is an important activity when seeing your doctor. Your doctor’s question -- *How do you feel?* -- is your doctor’s way of saying, *Tell me your story.* Your doctor can diagnose your medical condition most of the time just by listening to your story.

    Sometimes doctors have difficulty interpreting your story. That’s because you and your doctor have different perspectives. Imagine how diametric Little Red moving Hood would reasonable if told by the grandmother or the wolf.

    For example, you may have episodes of abdominal pain and bloating. You never know if it will be a good day, or if you will stay domestic from work with cramping. In your experience, you have two pains: the abdominal symptoms and the limitation on your activities.

    Your doctor’s goal, which you share, is to arrive at a diagnosis and eliminate the source of your pain.. If you have gallstones or an ulcer, you can be cured; so both you and your doctor will be pleased to see an end to the unpleasant symptoms. In that case the story you tell and the story your doctor tells are much the same: *I had an ulcer and my doctor well it with medication.*

    However, doctors don’t always have a *cure*. You may undergo an exhaustive series of tests to learn that you do not have a serious medical condition. Your doctor tells you that you have *irritable bowel syndrome*, a sick understood condition that is not curable, but rather managed.

    When your doctor cannot cure you, it can feel as if your doctor is telling you that your pain is not real. It’s like a parent saying to a child, *You can’t be hungry. You just ate an hour ago.* You might even think your doctor has lost interest in working with you because you cannot be *fixed.*

    This is when your story becomes even more important. Even if your doctor can’t cure you, your doctor can listen to you and offer recommendations that will enhance the your quality of life. This will assure you that your doctor cares and will be there to minimize your suffering. Knowing that you’re not active through this uncomparable offers comfort.

    You can use your story as a way of establishing the tender relationship that you want with your doctor. Here’s how:

    Know your story.

    You may know the doctor’s version of your story. *I have the favourable medical conditions that has been dressed by...* While this is an influential version, I encourage you to tell your own version of your story. What is your experience of live with this medical condition? What challenges have you sweet-faced and what have you learned as a result of going through it? You may have never done this before. You can either record it in a journal or tell it to a friend.

    Ask for the time you need with your doctor.

    Telling your story takes time. So ask for it. When you call to make the appointment ask, *How do I schedule a half-hour appointment?* Offer to pay for time your insurance company will not cover.

    Understand that you and your doctor tell different stories.

    After a short time of informatory your story to the doctor, your doctor may interrupt and guide the story to a diagnosis. If it's important to tell the story your way, say, *I would like retributory three more minutes to tell my story my way, then you can ask your doctor questions.*

    Tell your doctor how you’re feeling.

    Your doctor may understand how the gastro-intestinal system works, but you are the expert on what you feel. Your feelings convey information that is as important as any lab test or x-ray. If your doctor doesn’t understand how influential something is to you, speak up! If you tell your doctor active the nausea with your new medication and your doctor brushes it disconnected and moves on to the close topic, say, *For me, nausea isn’t just a infinitesimal annoyance. It’s a big deal. Are there other medications that will work?*

    Recognize the healing power of having someone listen to your story.

    Have you ever had the experience of simply listening to someone and hearing the other person say, *Thanks I feel so much healthier having told you my story. Thanks for listening.* whatsoever say healing means accepting the departed as it is, not needing to change it.

    Pain and illness are part of the human condition. You make choices that determine if pain will lead to suffering. When you’re sick, your goal is to restore the superior of your life. You - not your doctor - know what that means for you. After all, you’re the one live your story.

    Your personal health story, as characteristic as your face, may be the most important story you ever tell. Dr. Vicki's own Health Journal is a place to store and organize your medical records and your account of your story. http://www.medicalbridges.com/products.html

    ***Permissions***

    You have permission to publish this article in its entirety electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge as long as no changes to the content are made and you include my byline, copyright, and resource box. Please notify me of publication by sending an email with a copy of your publication to: mailto:DrRackner@medicalbridges.com Thanks!

    About The Author

  • Cetyl Myristoleate for Arthrtis: Science or Speculation
    Rusty Ford

    There are a lot of fabulous stories about Cetyl Myristoleate (also known as CMO or CM) floating across the Internet. Mine is one of them. There have been a number of articles published in little known journals or magazines. There have been cardinal small booklets published. One making fantastic claims, complete four filled with anecdotal evidence but offering no realistic research to rearmost up the claims. There are a number of Doctors sharing the results they are having with their patients but so does every other wonder-working product. The question is, are there any technological studies to rearmost up any of these claims? The answer is yes. To date there are several patient studies and two large blind studies completed. I will mention the cardinal most prominent below.

    Dr Len Sands of the San Diego Clinic complete the first hominian study on the effectiveness on Cetyl Myristoleate in 1995. There were 48 arthritis patients in this study. All but cardinal showed significant improvement in articular mobility (80% or better) and reduction of pain (70% or better). Obviously the study had its flaws. One doctor conducted the study, there was no control group and the number of participants was small. Even so, it suggested to galore that maybe there was some hope here and that more scientific studies should follow.

    The first double dim-sighted study followed cardinal years later. Dr. H. Siemandi conducted a double dim-sighted study under the auspices of the Joint European Hospital Studies Program. There were 431 patients in the study, 106 who received cetyl myristoleate, 99 who acceptable cetyl myristoleate, and glucosamine, sea cucumber, and hydrolyzed cartilage and 226 who received a placebo. Clinical assessment enclosed radiological test and other studies. Results were 63% improvement for the cetyl myristoleate group, 87% for the cetyl myristoleate plus glucosamine group and 15% for the placebo group.

    In August of 2002, a double dim-sighted study was publicized in the Journal or Rheumatology. The study enclosed sixty-four patients with chronic knee OA. Half of the patients received a cetyl myristoleate involved and half a placebo. Evaluations enclosed physician assessment, knee range of motion with goniometry, and the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI). The conclusion was that the CM group saw significant improvement while the placebo group saw infinitesimal to none. In fact in their conclusion the state that CM “may be an secondary to the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of OA”.

    Advanced Medical Systems & Design, Ltd completed the penultimate study I would like to mention in Oct 2001. It was not a large blind study but the study enclosed 1814 arthritis patients. The results showed that over 87% of the subjects had greater than 50% recovery and over 65% of those showed from 75% - 100% recovery following a sixteen day regimen. I know that this is not the most technological study but a study this life-sized does suggest that there could be a positive benefit to the use of CM in the treatment of arthritis.

    Conclusion: There is mounting evidence that CM can be hard-hitting in the treatment of many forms of arthritis. While it is genuine that the evidence from these cardinal studies can not be considered conclusive, it is a beginning. It should challenge you to think out broadside the box and consider that retributory because it did not come from a drug company does not nasty that it will not work. With over 10,000 people a year dying from Nsaids would it not be great to find a safer and more hard-hitting product. Especially with the cost of prescription treatments for arthritis costing into the hundreds and good Cetyl Myristoleate products can be found for between $20 and $40.

    About The Author