JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:35 AM
Original message |
When the oncologist said, "welcome to the wide world of cancer" |
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Edited on Sat Jul-12-08 10:36 AM by JohnnyLib2
to my wife and I, we were startled. We have come to appreciate his perspective. My wife is a long term survivor; others in the family were not so fortunate. And we are part of a very wide "cancer community," which is affected by news such as the death of T. Snow. We have learned a great deal about compassion, support, thoughtfulness-- and the opposites of those qualities.
To those in DU also affected by cancer, my best wishes on a troubling day.
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El Pinko
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:40 AM
Response to Original message |
1. I have mixed feelings about it. |
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Edited on Sat Jul-12-08 10:40 AM by El Pinko
Snow was not a person I admired, but he was also not the worst of his ilk. He was also fairly young, and many people experience learning and growth later in life, but his potential has been extinguished, and that's sad.
Even though I won't miss him, his passing is a reminder that we can never take tomorrow for granted.
I'm glad your wife is pulling through. I hope she stays well for a long, long time.
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jobycom
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:40 AM
Response to Original message |
2. One of my bosses just had a major relapse. |
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It's a family business, and I've been there ten years, so he's more than a boss, though not really someone I hang out with or anything. He went through aggressive colon cancer treatment three years ago. Now he's got spots everywhere. The doctor told him that ten years ago he'd be having the conversation about organizing his personal affairs, and he'd have given him six months. Now, there are treatments.
So I can only imagine what you're going through. I found out about my friend yesterday, and woke to Tony Snow's death today. I'm shaken. I imagine your reaction is far worse than mine.
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Midlodemocrat
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:41 AM
Response to Reply #2 |
4. Three of my neighbors have received devastating diagnoses. |
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Including a 5yo little girl. :cry:
This year alone, I lost two very good friends to cancer. One had the same cancer that Teddy Kennedy has.
It's a horrible, horrible way to die.
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Iris
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:46 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
10. What gets me the most is the way it just chops down vital people. |
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I mean, people who are there one day and gone the next. Pancreatic cancer - that's the one that I hate to hear about.
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Midlodemocrat
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:49 AM
Response to Reply #10 |
11. My friend Barb lost her husband in February to pancreatic cancer. |
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Was diagnosed in August. Three kids.
Devastated doesn't begin to describe what this did to her family.
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libnnc
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:36 AM
Response to Reply #11 |
18. All cancer is horrible but pancreatic is just... |
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Edited on Sat Jul-12-08 11:37 AM by libnnc
THE WORST. I swear it has a mind of its own...evil. I've watched it cut down two people who were very close to me. Worst thing I've ever seen. And by the time it's been diagnosed, it's usually too late. That's what is so cruel.
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Iris
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Sat Jul-12-08 06:13 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
33. That's exactly what I was trying to say. |
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And it seems to strike people in their middle years - late 40's/early 50s.
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Midlodemocrat
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:40 AM
Response to Original message |
3. Cancer has touched my family in a horrible way. |
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I don't care if Tony Snow was the devil incarnate, (which he wasn't), it's a horrific way to die and I hope he is at peace.
My condolences to his family.
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dysfunctional press
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:42 AM
Response to Original message |
5. for me it was a very surreal moment when the dr. said "it's cancer"... |
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it felt like i was having an out-of-body experience in his office.
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:05 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
20. Isn't that the truth? |
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My wife's job took her to various public schools at the time. Because she "went public" about the entire situation and stayed steady, others have turned to her for years when facing breast cancer. Me, too. And many have made said things similar to that. Life changing....
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TZ
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:42 AM
Response to Original message |
6. Cancer is something l think about quite a bit |
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I have a cancer-like disorder, that some believe is a pre-leukemic condition, so its something that looms large in my life...Whatever his politics, cancer is a painful and horrible way to die and I can't help but feel sympathy.
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:07 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
21. Every best wish to you. |
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That danged question mark just hangs over, doesn't it. Hope you finds others supportive.
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patrice
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:42 AM
Response to Original message |
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Two more cases in My Family; one going real well, the other one not so good.
Makes Everyone feel strange: happy and sad at the same time.
There's something like 4 cases on the next street over in my Neighborhood.
:hug:
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CountAllVotes
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:43 AM
Response to Original message |
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I appreciate your kind words. I lost my mother to cancer and the following year, I lost my younger brother to cancer as well and he was in his early 40s. He too had a tumor in his liver as was the case with Tony Snow. I knew Tony wouldn't last long when I heard this part of his story. It is very sad indeed and that sadness never goes away. :(
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:08 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
22. That is really tough, I'm sorry. |
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Days like this, and there are way too many, bring it all back, eh?
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hlthe2b
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Sat Jul-12-08 10:46 AM
Response to Original message |
9. Best wishes to all who are affected and WILL someday be... |
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May you receive only the best of care and kindnesses throughout from all you encounter...
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classof56
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:09 AM
Response to Reply #9 |
15. What kind words, for which I thank you. |
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A neighbor just died from cancer at age 52, a friend was just diagnosed and is undergoing chemo, and I recently learned that another friend is battling breast cancer. My spouse (41st anniversary coming up) has a tumor that is likely malignant, so we're not sure what the future holds. It seems no one is truly safe from this insidious disease. It takes so many forms and is no respector of persons. I echo your words about care and kindness. Those afflicted with this awful disease deserve nothing less.
Blessings to you.
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Hav
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:01 AM
Response to Original message |
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I suppose it shouldn't be surprising that those who know what it's like to when one had a relative or friend lose the fight against cancer, often in a painful and inhuman manner, react to news like this with way different priorities in mind. When my aunt had cancer, she was around Snow's age, I never wanted to believe she would die after "beating" skin cancer once. And when my dad eventually received the inevitable call, all he could say was something like "Well, at least it's finally over then." When one sees death as a relief because of all the pain, then it really is a symbol for what kind of horrible disease it is.
Good luck to both of you and all those who are affected as well.
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Contrary1
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:05 AM
Response to Original message |
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One cannot know how it feels to hear those words, even if it was expected, as in my case. Those words change your entire life from that moment on.
Good luck to you and your wife from another cancer veteran.
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:10 PM
Response to Reply #13 |
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In some ways, it's brought us closer to some very courageous people.
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Olney Blue
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:08 AM
Response to Original message |
14. My heart and thoughts go out to all of you wrestling with this disease today. |
libnnc
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:15 AM
Response to Original message |
16. My partner's sister died of pancreatic cancer in '05 |
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and their mother died of it last December.
On top of that, my partner was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last August. She went through treatment and had her thyroid removed--all successful. Cancer scares the hell out of me. It is the most horrible thing I've ever seen. We're still reeling from her sister's untimely death (she was only 43). It is something that is always with us. You never get over it or get past the fear of getting it.
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:12 PM
Response to Reply #16 |
24. What a sad, sad story. It's good to hear about your partner's |
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Edited on Sat Jul-12-08 12:13 PM by JohnnyLib2
successful treatment. But, aren't those follow-up appointments nerve wracking? That's another kind of silent consequence that many don't understand.
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libnnc
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:18 PM
Response to Reply #24 |
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and she skipped her mammogram this year because she's not comfortable with being exposed to any more radiation.
She gets enough radiation exposure from her job as an Air Traffic Controller (sitting in front of radar scopes).
I had my screening and I didn't argue with her about her's.
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:23 PM
Response to Reply #26 |
27. Heh, my wife would nag the hell out of her. |
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Edited on Sat Jul-12-08 12:23 PM by JohnnyLib2
There ARE times when I said chemo made her meaner....usually when she's not around!
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Contrary1
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:37 PM
Response to Reply #26 |
29. See if she would consider getting an ultrasound instead. |
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If not, make sure she is vigilant about the breast self exam every month. That's how mine was detected, even though the tumor showed up in a mammogram six months earlier. (Long story) http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastus&bhcp=1
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:19 AM
Response to Original message |
17. All the kind responses are appreciated. |
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And, maybe, a way of opening some eyes, ears, and hearts.
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DailyGrind51
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Sat Jul-12-08 11:44 AM
Response to Original message |
19. I am a long-term survivor also, and I thank you. |
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Snow's death is unnerving to those of us who have "been there" and always fear the possibility of return.
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JohnnyLib2
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:16 PM
Response to Reply #19 |
25. Yes, you've brought it home in one sentence. |
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The "survivors' lap" at our annual walkathon has incredible stories. Sadly, recurrences are part of some of them. On we go.....
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gulliver
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:32 PM
Response to Original message |
28. All I have had is a basal cell skin cancer (more or less harmless) ... |
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...and it basically scared the hell out of me before I knew what it was. The bad kind of cancer has hit my family and taken three members in my lifetime. Maybe someone should start a rumor that cancer is Islamic or gay.
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DeepModem Mom
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:40 PM
Response to Original message |
30. In my immediate family, someone has had that diagnosis twice, once as a child. |
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Best wishes to you and your family, and all whose lives are affected by this disease.
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Bobbie Jo
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:44 PM
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31. Wow. ..thank you for that. |
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Your words captured my thoughts perfectly. Best wishes to your family as well. :hug:
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Irishonly
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Sat Jul-12-08 12:59 PM
Response to Original message |
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Cancer does not know any boundaries, political affiliations or how much money a victim has. I am a ten year survivor and I am so saddened by his death. My heart breaks for his family, especially his wife and children as well as his friends.
It doesn't matter that I absolutely hated his politics, he fought the cancer as long as he could. He fought with grace and dignity and never gave up hope. I shed a few tears for him and his family when I learned of his death. We should all be remembered for the love we gave and not our politics.
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