Got a call from my doctor / surgeon yesterday. “Surgeon” is perhaps not the right word for him, because we do a pretty good job of not using the word “surgery” for the minor procedures I’ve had this year. Instead we call them “procedures.” A “surgery” is defined by Merriam Webster as medical treatment in which … Read more
In my last post I mentioned my friend who is having issues with his health and posted on Facebook the status, “nothing seems fair anymore.” His post got an overwhelming response, because he has so many friends who love him, and also, i think because they are words that hit a cord with all of … Read more
My last notable accomplishment of 2014 was to make it to the optometrist before my annual vision benefit on my insurance ran out. I have a pair of glasses I wear occasionally, but I thought, since I didn’t need new frames, I should get some contact lenses. I was surprised to find out that I … Read more
I see my chiropractor on Mondays. He bounces his fingers along my spine, lightly, barely pausing as he presses the offending vertebrae, muttering, “L4, T12 C7, C4, C3, C2,” He stands behind me, cradles the crown of my head in one hand, my jaw in the other and twists. The CRACK resounds, and leaves me … Read more
Was browsing this blog that I really like, and saw this report; Most falsely believe chemo is curative According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine although chemotherapy is the primary treatment for patients with lung and colorectal cancer, it is not curative. In an American national survey of 1193 advanced-stage patients, … Read more
So the other day on Facebook, I saw that my friend “Amanda” was going to Costa Rica for 11 months. I congratulated her in the comments section. The next day, “Jodie” wrote that she was moving to London for two years, and some time later “Kris” said she’d be in the Dominican Republic for three … Read more
In February of 2003, a few months after my cancer diagnosis and surgery, I attended a cancer retreat in the Yarra Valley outside Melbourne, Australia. It was an amazing ten days, that helped me transform my cancer experience into something that had value and meaning for me. Part of what made the experience amazing were … Read more
Wednesday evening I came across this article by Roger Ebert and reposted it, with the status: “I love this guy.” In Ebert’s post, he was talking about making some changes–pulling pack because of his health, but also looking forward to new interests and endeavors. He also said, At this point in my life, in addition … Read more
AUGUST 30, 2012 Today Paul and I met with the surgeon I’ve been referred to, Dr. Y—. It went…okay. On the plus side, she was extremely clear in her explanations of things. On the minus side, there was some social awkwardness. I should start (as we did in the appointment) with the scan results from … Read more