Apr 13th, 2010
Statistically speaking
This post is modified from one I made to an individual on one for the cancer forums I frequent.
Cancer statics often vary depending which chemo is used and for how long. The stats for the different stages depends greatly on the people staging the cancer. There are so many factors to consider. What needs to be considered when deciding on and accepting treatment is what is the respond to that treatment and if it is accomplishing the desired affect.
After dealing with cancer for a little more than a year and reading thousands and thousands of posts on forums and many web sites about cancer, I have come to the conclusion that there are many approaches to treating the disease and people have chosen chemo, something more holistic like diet change, herbal medicines, life style fitness changes, all of these or nothing at all. There have been people on the forums I follow that have had success in dealing with cancer regardless of which treatments they chose and there are some that did not. Some friends have died and yet there are many that defy the odds, or the statistics found so easily on the web.
What I have noticed is that regardless of the treatments selected or the outcome, the journey is what seems to mostly define the quality of life often despite the physical condition of the patient. A man I know from one forum, Terry G (from the UK) physically is a mess, but has been an inspiration to just about everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him – even if only online. If you read even a few of his posts and I think you would easily understand what I am talking about.
My advise, given even my limited experience with cancer, to anyone (patient, caregiver or friend) is become as knowledgeable as possible about the cancer. Don’t rely solely on doctors, nurses, test results, what you read on the web or from people on forums. The decisions made and the attitude in making them will mostly likely determine his quality of life during the journey, not the treatments chosen or the outcome.
People like you are a blessing despite the circumstances. Treatments, diagnoses, or outcomes only cause short-term bumps in life’s road.
Wish I had seen the post about your Disney. We’ve been there many times over the years and would have had some good advice. I hope you and Sal had a magical time.
Statically, if every cancer patient was more like you Mr. Murtagh, the amount of success stories would be no doubt higher. You’re just about the only person I know who would see something so detrimental to his health as “Too Cool” (of course with a big mustache smile). Your lvl 20 barbarian like persistence is inspiring. I’m looking forward to three months from now when hopefully your in the clear.