How do we kick-start the world into caring about cancer again?
It seems there’s a lull in the “caring” factor of this disease. It has changed the lives of so manyof us across the globe. I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t been touched by cancer. Either a family member, a friend, an office co-worker….cancer has touched most everyone in some way; how do we so easily cut funding for something that touches us all?
It makes me sad to hear about how the men and women in the labs no longer have the dollars they need to fund research. It’s the only way we’re ever going to find ways to better treat this beast. Just as upsetting, is the lack of funding for caring for the patients. Treatment aside, cancer patients and their care givers need support programs to give them the strength to push back against their disease. It’s pretty much agreed upon these days, cancer treatment means caring for the whole patient…mind and body and soul.
“Cure” is probably a long way off in our world, but discovery is not. Discovery creates ways to kill cancer cells.
We should all care about that.
April 29, 2013 @ 9:59 pm
I thought maybe I felt this downward turn because I was not spending every waking hour looking for information and help. You are much more in tune with what is going on in the research area and if this is what you see, then I am worried. Please don’t let it be so.
April 29, 2013 @ 5:59 pm
My dear family… it’s another one of those moments. Just when I think my life is moving along, one foot in front of the other, the house is on the market, the plans are made for moving closer to my kids and WHAM! It’s that dreaded phone call.. you know the one. This time it’s my brother. It’s Melanoma Eye cancer. A tumor in his eye. His vision wasn’t right and his daughter says “Dad, you might have a detached retina!” So off he goes to the eye doctor and they immediately send him for other tests. The good news, the cancer is not anywhere else. They told him it wasn’t the sun, smoking or eating habits, it just happens. Prognosis is good, he starts radiation on Wednesday. There is a good chance he will have poor eye sight or they may have to remove his eye. Either way, it’s good. It’s treatable! Two intense days of radiation with an eye doctor at the Mayo Clinic that is top in his field start on Wednesday. They have been blessed to have caught this in time… but now the hard work comes…. the fight and the healing. Fortunately, I will only be a 7 hour drive away soon.
Of course, when I learn this news, I turn to all of you, my strength, my hope.
Laurie, thank you for keeping the light on to come home to….again.
April 29, 2013 @ 9:57 pm
Well…life is moving on for you but it just has a curve in the path now. I am so sorry to hear of your brother’s cancer but sooo glad to hear it has not spread and is treatable. He will need all that “caregiver wisdom” you amassed over the years and you will be back in the mode but with what seems like it will be a good outcome. You and yours will be in my prayers and your family here will lift you!