<p>Hey LTS- I completely understand your preference to avoid anti-depressents, unless and until you feel the need. That does not mean there is a thing wrong with any one who needs them “sooner”, but I liken it to pain killers- if I have a migraine, Advil and others are my best friend; if I am in labor and I let them give me a little shot of Nubain to “dull the pain” it does not dull the pain, it onlu dulls my mind- the pain is all still there and hurts like heck, but my mind is a little numb between contractions. Like you seem to, I like to be in control of my faculties and I would avoid anything that caused me to feel less in touch with reality of every day life, even the bad stuff!</p>
<p>As to the annoying patient, all I can say is, “you go, girl!” People of our parents generation were brought up to be obedient and tend to be passive unquestioning patients, which is helpful to a physician’s time mgt. I say have no regrets along your path and embrace understanding every minute detail of your disease and treatments. It’s your body and you are paying the bigbig bucks, you can annoy them. I have lots of annoying clients, that’s life, perhaps you’re teaching them a thing or two!!</p>
<p>A note regarding antidepressants- these days there are much better choices than in decades past- think of it this way- some can make available the proper amount of the brain’s own chemicals to ensure the normal actions when all the prolonged stress gets things out of whack. Not like being zombied out. Rather being able to cope better without losing your fighting ability, getting a brain unstuck from thought patterns that don’t get you anywhere. I’m thinking mainly of drugs dealing with serotonin. You can still be as annoying as you need to be without getting stuck in an endless loop- so if you, family or friends notice any of the “signs of depression” (which include irritablity) you may add a brain chemical to the rest of your regime to be at your best in fighting the cancer. I’ve missed a lot of the posts, sounds like you have the will to succeed- best wishes.</p>
<p>LTS, I was thinking of you and being an ‘annoying patient’ yesterday. I was talking with a young woman, 2 year old in hand, who was trying to apologetically, be the best possible advocate for her dying brother (not cancer). As a health care practictioner, I appreciate those on the outrageous side of being proactive patient advocates so much! Not necessarily in the moment, every moment, as yes, it can be difficult as I’m trying to organize all the details of their, as well as my own day. But in the big picture, we’re on the same page in terms of working towards the best possible outcome. I always learn something from those sorts of patients, though it can require me to reduce my ego to be there and learn from them, really hear them. Some health care workers are very attached to the power aspects of their job, and have a hard time embracing dialogue that is out of a proscribed framework. Other times, my biggest job is reducing fear, letting them know that the health care team is really working with the same goal in mind. The media in recent years has made some of the population quite scared when it comes to dealing with health care, sometimes justified, sometimes not. </p>
<p>Being the sort of person who will ask the hard questions keeps all in your heath care team on their toes. You’re doing a great job! </p>
<p>Again, I love your honest sharing the details of your situation, as may come a time when any one of us will need to use your lessons and approach ourselves. </p>
<p>PA dad, thank you for that amazing article. Very instructive!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the kind posts and also for the PMs which I have not yet answered, but promise that I will. </p>
<p>I am sincerely very sorry to post such negative news during such a joyous season, but feel the need to raise awareness on this issue, if it matters, and if it helps anyone either now or sometime later. </p>
<p>I get updates all the time: I have requested them from my staff and I want to know about the experiences of others in similar situations. Last night, a 27 year old young man was admitted to MSK in New York; he has been battling non-small cell lung cancer for two years. He is a lawyer, a newly admitted member of the bar; he has been married only six months. His doctor is one of the best lung cancer oncologists in the U.S.; unfortunately, unless there is some sort of magical clinical trial out there, the doctors are completely out of options. There are no new drugs and they have nothing left to try. </p>
<p>This young lawyer is also a never-smoker. I’m not saying that smokers should be categorized for a lessor quality and quantity of care, but rather wish to emphasize again that one does not need to have smoked to end up with this disease. </p>
<p>What this young man has been through specific to loss of physical functionality during the course of two years of treatment is simply unthinkable and unimaginable. I’ll spare everyone the details but no human being would ever choose to endure such agony, pain, and loss of personhood. And he is in one of the very best cancer centers in the world, with the very best doctors. </p>
<p>Perhaps someone - or several someones here - will choose either now, or in the future - to be very impactive to science, research, and advances in medicine and health care. Perhaps that means choosing an education and subsequent career in the sciences, or, perhaps it means supporting getting the right people in office and the laws passed that remove the elements in our environment that contribute to or cause cancer. Perhaps it simply means praying a lot…</p>
<p>Thank you 4Giggles. I am thankful to not be in a hospital this holiday season, and to have this time with my daughter, and to see to my business affairs. </p>
<p>For anyone interested in progress in cancer, here is the 2007 report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). While some of the advances in some cancers are very encouraging, it’s disturbing to read yet again that cancer research funding has declined since 2004, and that research efforts are closing due to lack of funding:</p>
<p>For now, this is all I can do…Thanks for the reminder! My family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season. I know you will cherish the time you have your amazing daughter.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that awareness of diet, nutrition & various natural substances can also help address moodiness, despondency, etc. Obvious examples are the mood-enhancing properties of chocolate, or various herbal teas (for example, I find chamomile very relaxing).</p>
<p>I’ll leave it to you to figure out what foods you want to eat and what you may prefer to avoid at this time – but the point is that you might be able to keep yourself more chipper simply by being aware of what you are eating and have eaten. (And definitely DO eat – there is nothing that will put a person in a foul mood faster than skipping meals)</p>
<p>“Perhaps someone - or several someones here - will choose either now, or in the future - to be very impactive to science, research, and advances in medicine and health care.”</p>
<p>LTS, There are lots of us out here doing what you wish. The ASCO report discussed one of the drug that I am privileged to have helped developed. It is a good drug , having already added two years to survival and will have a bigger impact with wider use in upfront treatment. Nonetheless, I will be the first to tell you that its success has lesss to do with our smart and dedication. We were lucky. It doesn’t mean that we are not smart or dedicated, it is just that our knowledge on cancer remains limited such that trial and error approaches still play a big, perhaps the only, role in successful drug development. What we need is much more basic research funding. Without better understanding of human biology, we will continue to rely on drugs that work more like bandaid than actual cure. Unfortunately, budget is a zero sum game, and it is hard to garner the kind of research support we need in this political climate.</p>
<p>Aside for my D’s college expense, I turnover my drug royalty to a local hospice, which is about the most gratifying thing that I have done in my life.</p>
<p>Padad, thank you for your work and continuing efforts in this field. Several of us are grateful. There are so many people suffering in ways that may be preventable if there were funds - not just the people who actually have cancer, but, the caregivers and close family members.</p>
<p>As an aside, just last night it crossed my desk that a man who is one year out with small cell was fired from his job. He will not survive his cancer; it’s spread; there are few options left, but, from a psychological perspective, the dream and hope of returning to his profession was probably one of the few things keeping him from completely giving up. My heart goes out to him and to all of those who are suffering so needlessly. </p>
<p>Regarding research, I drilled into the WSJ article you posted, found that Ben Williams wrote the book “Surviving Terminal Cancer”; I Amazoned it, got it yesterday and read it last night, in between putting the final touches on Christmas decorating. I highly recommend this book to anyone facing a serious health issue, cancer or something else - in any case, the entire second section addresses problems and issues within the current system, and in particular the difficulty with the trial system, and getting research funding. I now have a much clearer understanding of the process - Williams goes into substantial detail on this issue, and, it helps me understand what we might try to fight for going forward. It’s a fascinating read. </p>
<p>Calmom, thanks for that, I eat like a horse. I eat all the stuff all the literature says I should, but, I eat everything I wanna eat, too! I have a high degree of confidence that my body will tell me what it needs and wants, so, I respond to cravings. And there is zero chance I will ever miss a meal - mine or someone else’s! Have gained some weight since diagnosis, and, will not be doing antidepressants. Don’t need/want them.</p>
<p>These are invaluable to all of us, dealing with an illness or not. </p>
<p>The thing we all need to take away from this is simple…we are all placed here on a temporary basis. make the most of it while you can. Love those you love with all your heart and soul, and reach out to yourself as often as you might to others.</p>
<p>Peace to all of you this holiday season. Each of your words, and stories, have touched me in ways you might not know. But I do.</p>
<p>LTS…as the holidays are approaching, I want to let you know that I am glad you are here and with your daughter to share these special times and am thinking of you in the days, months and years ahead. Wishing you joyous blessings.</p>
Good, because I swear by chocolate. I eat the darkest I can find (usually 85% cocoa), because as well as mood-enhancing chemicals (phenylethylamine, theobromine, anandamide and tryptophan) chocolate is also loaded with cancer-fighting phytochemicals - [Cocoa</a> is loaded with anti-cancer phytochemicals and compounds, says research](<a href=“http://www.newstarget.com/000132.html]Cocoa”>http://www.newstarget.com/000132.html) – so I think its better than anything any doctor could prescribe. ;)</p>
<p>(I have worked very hard to rationalize my belief that chocolate is good for me, and always keep the house well-supplied – though because of my weight problems I do have to ration myself.).</p>
<p>LTS, thank you for sharing. You are, indeed, making a difference.</p>
<p>Thank you all, for the links to the above sites.</p>
<p>Best wishes to all of you, and I’m hoping for ‘peace of mind’ to all those working through an illness or difficult time of life right now.
(not a typo- I did mean peace.)</p>
<p>When Woody Allen made Sleeper in the 70’s he imagined a future world when chocolate and fried things would be health foods. How hilarious that he was half right!</p>
<p>LTS: You are very much on my mind every day and part of my family’s holiday wishes.</p>
<p>LTS,<br>
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I check this thread often to see how you are doing. My H was diagnosed with agressive prostate cancer in 2003. He is doing better than was expected, due to excercise, nutrition, good Drs, and Prayer. Prayer can be a form of meditation and really helps de-stress all of us coping with disease. PM me if you wish more details. Live each day. None of us know how long we have. Thinking of you during this special season.</p>