Life with Cancer
Abstract
Some people don't have the time to read all of the on-line diary, so here's a summary.
There are links to the diary for more information.
Diary Index
Diagnosis
In December of 2003, during a routine prostate check-up, the family
doctor discovered something he did not like. Eleven days later I had a
sigmoidoscopy and was diagnosed with colon cancer very low in the bowel. The
doctor's comment, "serious, but fixable." At almost 54 years old, I
had not counted on this...
My Reaction to the Diagnosis
After some months of living in discomfort, the diagnosis was
actually a relief. Not that I was unrealistic about my condition, but now that
I knew what the problem was, we can work toward a solution. Typical reactions
are similar to the grieving experience, denial, why me God, etc. My faith has
helped me bypass those phases and go directly to "let's work toward fixing the
problem." I know this may sound glib, but despite everything, I think of the
fact that I can get 80 or 90 years old after the problem is fixed, as opposed to
dying within one or two years.
Treatment
Consultations with the surgeon (8 days after diagnosis) and
the oncologist (Jan 8, 2004) and results of the CT scan (Dec 24) resulted in the
following treatment plan:
Prognosis
Initial assessment in December 2003 was that the problem was
fixable. Pathology after surgery found no live cancer cells in the removed
tissue. The additional chemo helps to prevent the cancer coming back. Radiation
again is out of the question, so these 16 weeks of chemo are a preventative
measure.
Concerns
Because the rectum was removed and a permanent colostomy
installed, prostate examinations are no longer possible. PSA blood tests will
have to be done regularly to see is something is up. Not sure if colonoscopies
can be done, or if so, at what risk. The colostomy is doing fine.
Lessons Learned
don't wait to see a doctor until it's too late have regular annual physical checkups, especially when you get older cancer screening should start between 40 and 50, earlier if parents had cancer (first screening 10 years before parent was diagnosed) it's YOUR body; if doctors say you don't need testing, insist anyway -
help your family to be prepared for what lies ahead, you may have a handle on
your situation but that does not mean your family does
Financial Impact
My medical expenses are minimal. Except for parking at the Cross
Cancer Institute and some over the counter medications and supplies, everything
is covered under Alberta Health Care and Northlands' benefit plan.
Income replacement is a different story. The first 26 weeks
were covered under Short Term Disability (STD) insurance. STD payments are
roughly the same as my net income (looking at last year's pay cheques). The
insurance company's notion of net pay is not my real net pay... From the
insurance payment I need to pay payroll deductions
that cannot be taken from my (non-existent) pay cheque. As of August 6th, I am
covered under Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. Going from STD to LTD sets me
back $734 per month. Good thing I have some room on credit cards, but that won't
last, plus it increases my monthly commitments. As a result, I have set up a
"donate"
page...
A bit of history
Both my parents died of cancer. My mother had breast cancer
but was in remission after a radical mastectomy. My father then got cancer of
the esophagus, but it had already spread through his body. He refused chemo, and
lived another year, despite the prognosis of "a few weeks, or months at the
most." Only the last few weeks was he on morphine to ease the pain. While at
home for that year, my mom wore herself out looking after him. As a result, her
resistance was down, and the cancer came back. She was on chemo for about six
months, to prolong her life, but it was not an easy life. Both were Christians,
but it pained me that I lived in Canada and they were in Holland. It's hard to
have a heart-to-heart long distance.
With my family history, I should have clued in that I was a
high risk, but no doctors suggested it, and my mind could not be further from
thinking of cancer. There is a message for all readers here...
Conclusion
I find that cancer is not as scary as I had initially
thought. In my experience, cancer patients are pretty resilient people. I see
very little evidence of self-pity, but a lot of courage. One of the hardest
things for me is when people avoid me because they feel embarrassed to talk to
me.
Psalm 30:5 says, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy
cometh in the morning." (KJV) -- Life
will get better...
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