Some cancer patients get lucky.
They take their medicine. They go through countless chemotherapy and some even slog through radiation that can make them feel cloudy, like they’re moving in slow motion and moody too. And when months of treatment are complete they get the good news that the cancer is gone.
Their doctors prescribe check-ups every 3 months to start with and if that goes well, it’s stretched out to 6 months and if the cancer still hasn’t shown its ugly face again, yearly exams and life pretty much resumes the way it was B.C.
Most patients are pretty good about staying true to these prescribed check-ups. It makes sense considering one of the rules of success in cancer world is to catch it early. IF there is a recurrence, better to see it on a scan ASAP, rather than ignore a constant back pain or nagging cough or something that might scream “I’m back.”
I bring this up as a reminder to those of you who were lucky. Stay that way and be true to your calendar.
If there’s a check-up date circled on your calendar, make that appointment. Get that scan or blood test or whatever it is you need to watch out for any little hiccup that caught early, could mean the difference between life and death.
I know it’s been a long time between treatments and your brain is recalling all those days and nights of feeling badly but don’t let that sway your decision. It’s not OK to miss just one.
Too many family and friends want you around. You make a difference in our lives.
January 14, 2016 @ 9:34 am
While going every three months is annoying for my husband, not as much as missing early detection that allows a tiny spot on the bladder to get going. It has been thirteen years since his colorectal cancer was discovered and that memory is still very much with us. We do not want to go back to that cancer world.
January 13, 2016 @ 2:14 pm
Happy New Year to the Our Cancer family.
I was at the hospital visiting a friend who is at the twilight of his life. (He told me to tell all our friends that everything is ok and he had a good run). Marty, if he makes it to Feb 1st will be 90. In that time he never stopped – he is known for his “Marty’s class” at the local YMCA – a 6 am class that he informally ran, based on the military calisthenics that he learned during his time serving in WW2. Marty ran the Chicago marathon for the first time when he was 78 and until recently nothing stopped him. A little over a year ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it had already spread to his spine. Prior to this he had never been in a hospital. If you can, send some warm thoughts and prayers to comfort this sweet man on his journey.
January 13, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
It sounds like Marty has taught a lot more that calisthenics over the years…
Sending strength and good thoughts his way.
L
January 13, 2016 @ 1:19 pm
So well said – both Laurie and Al. It’s the only reason I’m still alive: keeping up with the doctor appointments and whatever tests are ordered. After a 10-year remission, I had two recurrences of multiple myeloma in the past 4 years. As with Al, I was asymptomatic before both were caught. Responded well to the chemo and am back in business – the business of monitoring the beast.
January 13, 2016 @ 9:27 am
So true…..get checkups and/or scans for as long as it takes to remain cancer free. As we all know when cancer returns, it often comes back with a vengeance and is everywhere. I continue to get checkups and scans and it has been almost 8 years since my last bout with the beast. Fortunately my oncologist believes in scans. Several times the scans have saved my life from kidney cancer as well as lung cancer not to mention melanoma. I was asymptomatic but the tumors were there and growing. I am willing to endure the needle biopsies for potential false-positives.
Follow Laurie’s advice, please. It may be an inconvenience or conjure up images and feelings you would rather forget. But then again, it may save your life.