These days almost every worthy cause finds itself a proper ribbon, without getting into the debate about the use of ribbons and how people use them, there are not many ribbons that I know of that are more important than the breast cancer ribbon.

Breast cancer is a dangerous enemy, while it is true that the awareness to its risks and the understanding of the prevention measures that need to be taken on a regular basis has increased over the years and had probably saved many lives, some people are still not aware of breast cancer and others prefer to live in some sort of denial.

So why is it important to use the pink ribbon and join the fight against breast cancer? First of all it shows the most important thing a person can show, it shows that you care, its shows that you are willing to give a little of your time or energy to try and educate more people, to warn some others and to maybe, just by doing this very small action contribute to saving a life. This is not a joke, sometimes awareness is all that separates the ill from the healthy and the dead from the living, we are at an age where people are learning of new dangers every day, and with all these upcoming potential dangers of terrorism and natural disasters breast cancer has been here long enough and has cause so much pain and suffering that it certainly deserves to be treated as something we should all remember, even on a daily basis.

Every October is the international breast cancer awareness month, this is the time to try and do the most to increase the public awareness of this disease, and educate woman about the ways they can fight breast cancer, this month is also dedicated to raising money for the many different organizations and foundations that are working all year round on helping victims of breast cancer, some of these patients have no money and no funds they can use to try and treat the cancer, and these organizations help them get the support that they need.

So all you got to do is just place one of these pink ribbons on your shirt of jacket, and show the solidarity you have with the breast cancer patients, the victims and the family and friends of those who have been effected by this terrible disease. Remember that you do not have to limit yourself only to the month of October, and that it is enough for only one person to ask you about this ribbon – once a year to make a huge difference, think about hundreds, if not thousands of people like you doing the same thing every day, and each one of these people is approached by an uneducated person, how many lives can be speared.

Lets hope that in the future the fight against breast cancer, as the fight against all kinds of cancer, will achieve its goals and that this disease will claim less victims, that modern medicine and science will find cures and that more and more people around the world will live healthier and happier lives.

Discover how to get a breast cancer ribbon and how to face and deal with breastcancer.healthandcosmetics.com Breast Cancer and its cultural and personal effects.

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It has been just over one year since I was diagnosed with cancer. Since then I have had surgery, chemotherapy, six months of lying around on the couch staring out the window at the dappled light of days yawning and stretching over the sky until the night slinked in. I felt suspended in a giant aquarium of a cisplatin; time stopped for six months. I questioned myself, my work, the world, death, and the spirit beyond. I struggled to have faith in the doctors, in the treatment, and in myself. Everyone was so sure I would be fine - I was such a ‘positive’ person - I would be back and at it in no time. Truth is I was scared, very scared, and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and hide under the blankets.

But I didn’t die. I lived. Once treatment was over I was ushered back out in to the world with ‘off you go then’. No guarantees - just the long wait between checkups to see if cancer had returned. There was no ‘end’ to cancer - just a finished chapter with the next one waiting to be read, with no hints at the ending.

I had a choice: live worrying whether the cancer would come back, or live expecting the cancer to be gone. No guarantees either way, but it sure felt better to expect health than worry about sickness.

So I learned to live not knowing if the cancer would come back, but enjoying each day anyway. I make plans anyway. I look forward to the future anyway. And all the time I am so grateful. Grateful for my friends, for my family, for my colleagues, for countless of strangers who prayed for me around the world. I am grateful for the sunshine, the sea, and the lime tree that grows new shoots outside the office door, the cackle of cockatoos. I notice small things; I savour moments like when an unknown child grins deliciously at me with a full sparkle of joy in the supermarket, or the guy at the fish shop with his wry smile in his green galoshes winks and gives me a special deal.

In facing death I have come to love life so much, even the hard, yucky, nasty bits.
When I heard news this week of a colleague, who took his own life after a long struggle with depression, I found myself angry, sad, and disillusioned. I struggle knowing that someone can fight so hard to live while another discards his life and all the promise of the future.

Yet I know the darkness of illness. Chemotherapy was at times so oppressive, like a steel coffin bearing down on me. I prayed for relief, prayed for escape, and I understood then why thoughts of death as an end to suffering come to us. Not the most beautiful sunrise, or glorious vista, or warm hug from a loved one can cut through this kind of pain. It is so difficult to feel joy when you are sick.

I knew my nausea would end - I had to make it through ten days of debilitating sickness each round of chemo, but I knew eventually it would recede. The days where I woke up without feeling sick were so fantastic - my spirit lifted and soared in relief. For someone with mental illness, however, there is no promise of an end to suffering. Sometimes medication can dull the effects; sometimes a manic swing can pull them through the dark tunnels. Sometimes, for those who suffer mental illness, in their eyes the only way out is permanent darkness, an escape to the spirit world.

If my friend’s death teaches us anything it is this: life is short and precious. Don’t waste another minute being miserable. Show those around you how much you love them. Look with a child’s wonder and delight at the world around you. Find reasons to laugh and smile. Love yourself. Love the gift of life.

In remembering my friend, in remembering my cancer journey, I choose living now. I choose delirious anticipation of the small miracles I know will appear each day. I choose love and lightness and laughter.

I wish the same for you.

Laser Thoughts
“Genuine security arises from actual, first-hand knowledge that one is both capable and worthy of achieving happiness (through conscious, responsible action) and, once having attained it, that he deserves it.” - Michael J. Hurd

“To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline - training - is about.” - James Clavell, in his novel “Shogun”

“The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift.” - Pierre Corneille (1606-1684) French Playwright

Copyright Inner Compass 2006
innercompass.com.au www.innercompass.com.au

Cancer survivor Zoe Routh is the Head Coach at Inner Compass, a personal development organisation that helps busy professionals work less and achieve more. Inner Compass offers practical strategies and solutions to improve personal effectiveness and live an inspired life.

Zoe has worked with groups and individuals since 1987. She has worked as a trainer, coach and facilitator in helping people achieve their personal best.

Inner Compass offers articles, resources, and coaching programs to help busy professionals radically improve their personal effectiveness to live an inspired life.

innercompass.com.au innercompass.com.au

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Tags: chemotherapy

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases known to man. Besides, if a doctor tells you that you have cancer, you would definitely feel depressed and frustrated. It is a fact that many people have died from cancer. Being the second-largest killer in the United States, you should always be aware of your health.

You can never blame people who overreact about their health. Besides, with cancer growing to be the biggest killer disease in the world, who wouldn’t be concerned about their health status?

One kind of the most common kinds of cancer that affects the male population in the United States is called the prostate cancer. This type of cancer is a cancer that develops in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer develops when the cells in the prostate gland mutates and multiplies. Usually, prostate cancer can be treated effectively and easily if it is detected on its early stages when the cancer has not spread throughout the rest of the body. However, treatment becomes difficult if the cancer reaches advanced stages where it will likely spread to various parts of the body. For treating advanced stages of cancer, you will go through the treatment called chemotherapy.

This is why the male population in the United States is getting more and more aware of the fact that it is important to know about their current prostate health condition. By detecting the cancer on its early stages, you will have a greater chance of recovery.

To know if you have prostate cancer, you should know about the signs and symptoms that is associated with it. First of all, prostate cancer develops at a very slow rate. Because of this, symptoms may not be felt on its early stages. This is why it is important that you should often be updated about your current prostate health. The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer can be felt on the advanced stages of the disease.

However, there are cases where symptoms can be felt during the early stages of the cancer. The symptoms may be similar to other prostate diseases, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy. The symptoms of prostate cancer may include increased urination especially during the night, difficulty starting and maintaining steady stream of urine, blood is often found when urinating, and painful urination.

Prostate cancer will also cause problems to your sexual functions, such as painful ejaculation and difficulty in achieving or maintaining erection.

In advanced prostate cancer, you will feel additional symptoms. Because the cancer has spread throughout your body, you will feel bone pain especially in the vertebrae, pelvis and ribs. Prostate cancer that has spread to your spine can also compress the spinal cord which can cause leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence.

Today, there are various treatments for cancer. With the combined awareness about the prostate health in the United States, death because of prostate cancer has decreased. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t worry about getting prostate cancer anymore. You have to consider that you should get your regular prostate check-up in order to detect any irregularities in your prostate that may be cancerous.

Always remember that with early detection of prostate cancer, you will have a greater chance of fully recovering from the cancer. If you let the cancer develop into its advanced stages, treatment will be more difficult and your chances of recovering from the disease will decline.

For more information on your prostate-cancer-101.com/
Prostate Cancer try visiting prostate-cancer-101.com prostate-cancer-101.com where you will find a variety
of prostate cancer information and resources including
prostate-cancer-101.com/Prostate_Cancer_Treatment.html
Prostate Cancer Treatments.

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Tags: cancer treatment, chemotherapy, prostate cancer

Johnny (not real name) is a 46-yar-old male. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent a surgery which turned out to have gone wrong. A second corrective surgery had to be performed. Later Johnny was asked to undergo chemotherapy which he declined. Seven months after the above episode we sat down to talk with Johnny about his nightmarish experience. The following are excerpts of our conversation.

Question: When you were told to have a surgery, did you have a chance to think more about it before you went ahead with it?

Johnny: I had no time to think about it at all. The way the doctor talked to you seemed that the whole world was coming down — “It was serious and if you don’t get rid of it by next week, nobody was going to do anything for you anymore. We cannot help you because Chinese New Year is around the corner.” So in a way, I had no chance. I asked the doctor: “Can I come back after the Chinese New Year?” He replied: “Cannot, cannot. It is up to you. I can only give you my advice. By that time (i.e. if you waited for three weeks more) the cancer may block the colon and you cannot pass out stools. No body can help you if that happens during the Chinese New Year.”

The doctor told me: “If you do not operate, remember that the cancer can grow very fast. It is going to block the intestine and by that time nobody can help you anymore – you can die from that.”

After the operation I felt okay and was subsequently discharged from the hospital. Then something went wrong. I could not eat and had severe hiccups — in one minute I hiccupped 30 to 40 times until I could not even breathe. I was discharged at about 2 p.m. and by 4 or 5 p.m. the hiccup problem became serious. The next morning, I was brought back to the hospital again. Four days later, I had my second operation.

Q: But, when you went to see the doctor, was there any blockage?

A: No — I could still pass out stools. But the stools were a bit thin. If I were to say that I wanted to pay the hospital bills with my own money, I believe the story would have been different. The doctor asked me: “Do you have any insurance?” I replied: “Yes.” He said: “You better get rid of it — anyway, it is not going to be your money. What have you to be afraid of — the insurance is going to pay for you. If I were you I would get rid of it.” In my mind, I felt that if I were to pay the bills myself, he would have told me to come back after the Chinese New Year for the operation.

Cost of Surgery and Health Insurance

Q: Did they tell you beforehand how much the operation is going to cost you?

J: No, they didn’t. And I don’t know how they charged me either. This is because I did not pay cash. I depended on my insurance. My first operation costs RM 13,000 plus. My second surgery costs RM 16,000 plus.

Before the operation one doctor came and we discussed. He asked: “Are you covered by insurance?” I replied: “But the limit is only very little, around RM 20,000. He said: “Enough already. It is going to be around RM 10,000 plus. It should be okay.” I then enquired: “What, if I were to pay cash?” He said: “Below RM 10,000 if you are willing to pay cash. I will estimate and tell you right now how much it is going to cost.”

Pay cash, the cost is going to be below RM 10,000 but with an insurance it is going to be more than RM 10,000. See, RM 19,000 is still above RM 10,000. All this happened because I told him that my insurance has a limit of RM 20,000.

Q: Were you happy with the doctor who did the colonoscopy and later advised you to go for surgery?

J: I was not happy. He was not sincere in giving me his advice. Later I found out that he actually asked a friend of mine to tender his apology to me for the foul up that happened. He said this to my friend: “I felt sorry for what had happened to your friend. I apologize on behalf of the hospital. Tell you friend that we were really sorry for him.” I was really not satisfied because in the first instance I was told it was going to be just a simple operation. Then, there was a second operation and many problems cropped up with it. I spent the whole month in the hospital. I was really fed up.

Some time later, I met up with this doctor. He told me: “I recommended the best surgeon in town for you. I did not know what had gone wrong. So far in the history of the hospital you are the first person to have encountered this type of problem.” This doctor then suggested that I went to see the oncologist of his own hospital instead of the oncologist at the cancer hospital for my chemotherapy. I told him that I did not want to do any chemotherapy. He said: “Why not, you should go for chemotherapy.” I replied: “You want to take my life? You mean I have no other options? Many of my friends went for chemotherapy and all of them were gone. Can I still trust chemotherapy?” He replied: “No, no. There are many kinds of drugs – Grade 1, grade 2, grade 3. I responded: “Until today, you doctors take for granted that patients will go for this and that and the money will come to you! Your main concern is money. You specialists and your hospital are more concerned with money. You people don’t care so much about the patients – whether they die or live is not important. He replied: “No, no. We did our best for our patients.”

Indeed I was not satisfied with this doctor because he was not sincere enough. What he said was nice but what he did to you was another story.

The lessons we can learn from this true-life story:

1. It is good to have an insurance cover, but make sure that the insurance plan is one that suits you.

2. Buy an insurance plan that pays an outright “lump sum” in the event that you are diagnosed with any critical illness. This give you a total flexibility to do what you like with the payout lump sum — to seek any treatment of your choice.

3. Do not buy an insurance that pays only the doctors’ and hospital’s bills. The story above shows the ugly side of having such an insurance plan. You may just be enriching the doctors and hospitals at the same time at the expense of your own perils.

4. Hear what Dr. Robert Medelsohn (in: Confessions of a medical heretic) wrote about the hospital: “You should try your best to stay out of it … (it is) one of the most dangerous places on earth.”

5. Just because the insurance pays for your medical treatment like surgery, chemotherapy, etc. these do not mean that they are good or necessary for you. Look at it another way — unnecessary treatment could be outright dangerous or may even kill you!

For more information on complementary cancer therapy visit: cacare.com cacare.com, BookOnCancer.com BookOnCancer.com, NaturalHealingForYou.com NaturalHealingForYou.com

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