Is it Elizabeth Edwards, Robin Roberts, Tony Snow, and other public figures fighting their personal cancer battles–in the national spotl...
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Living an Unplanned Life-
Cancer? Happy?
Judy Kolbaba
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 09:53 AMre: Cancer? Happy?
PJ Hamel
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 12:24 PMThat's the nature of the human experience, isn't it, Judy? We all have our own, and on one's experience is exactly the same as anyone else's. I'm so sorry that it's affected you this way. A lifetime of worry about your kids will certainly color how you feel. I hope, as time passes and your kids are safe, your worry will abate a bit. And the older they grow, the closer we'll be to a cure–I'm firmly convinced it's out there, and will be found in our lifetime. - PJH
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I understand how you feel, but I don't have cancer.
Silvercrane
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 02:00 PMI recently had an emergency stent put in a coronary artery. It was a wake up call, that it could have been a heart attack. I am very grateful to be alive. Apart from practical changes, particularly in diet and exercize, there was a sense of extra calm and a rethinking of what matters most and a heightened awareness of the importance of my relationships with friends and family as well as giving back to society. And all the other fun things, too - music and theatre, parks, being in the country and so on.
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Dear Judy,
silvercrane
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 02:05 PMI responded to the article, rather than your comments. I do understand that the practical concerns for your family is a big part of your feelings. I can understand the frustrations and uncertainties. My thoughts are with you.
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I'm glad you had that response, Silvercramne
PJ Hamel
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 02:31 PMYou don't need to have cancer to feel that sense of renewed life after a "close call" - anything life-threatening can provoke that feeling. Hold onto it - it makes alife a lot more fulfilling/less stressful, allowing you to put things in your own, new perspective. -PJH
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Yes, I have heard this from Lance Armstrong and others about cancer being the best thing that happenend to them. I could not disagree more. Now, that I have had bilateral breast cancer, my children, who I have tried to protect and nurture all my life, are at a greater risk for breast cancer. I am helpless to protect them against this statistic. The positive thing about facing mortality in this way, I think , is having a new prospective on life. But surely, I could have done without experiencing this beast, and having to live in Cancer World, and be concerned for my children and their children.
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