| Next Sunday marks
the 23rd National Cancer Survivors Day, a worldwide celebration
of life, held in hundreds of communities and many countries.
A survivor is anyone living with a history of cancer —
from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.
Breast cancer has touched both me and my daughter-in-law,
so I was especially interested to come across two helpful
tools which could make a big difference to anyone with a
cancer diagnosis. The first is a book, “The Saving
of Gordon — Lifelines to Win Against Cancer”
by Joni-James Aldrich, and its handy companion, the “Cancer
Patient Win Book Journal,” an excellent repository
for all your doctor visits and notes.
The author believes that if cancer affects you or a loved
one, you will be in crisis, but despite that, you should
not make assumptions or rash decisions. Your survival may
well depend on knowing and understanding all options, the
side effects and ramifications.
Aldrich feels, “Knowledge is your armor. Your doctor
is a doctor — not God. He doesn’t have all the
answers.” Her book explains that there are more than
100 different types of cancer, and there is no type of cancer
from which someone has not recovered.
The same cancer can act differently in different people
and a wrong diagnosis can lead to the wrong treatment and
the danger of delay. The author states that doctors are
there to advise you of your options, and that is why it
is so important to find those who have the most experience.
She also is a believer, as am I, in getting a reliable
second opinion. Her wise advice regarding cancer is certainly
applicable to other illnesses, as well. For example, she
says if your cancer situation is serious and life-threatening,
get treatment at the facility with the experts. We’re
lucky to live near our new Smilow Cancer Center and Sloan
Kettering. The author lists these important questions to
ask:
-How serious is the type of cancer that I have?
-What stage is my cancer in?
-Is there effective treatment available?
-Is a clinical trial an option?
-What cancer facility is available that treats the most
cases of my type of cancer?
-Who and where is the No. 1 oncologist for my type of cancer?
Although she eventually lost Gordon to a rare type of cancer,
Joni James Aldrich’s beautifully written and researched
book is a lasting tribute to their special relationship
and to her determined spirit against great odds. Not all
of us have the ability or staying power to do such extensive,
difficult work, and that is where my second resource could
prove extremely valuable.
Independent patient advocate Robert Capria offers one-on-one
individual information, guidance and help. He and his wife
(both cancer survivors themselves) live in the New Haven
area and while he does not offer medical advice, he does
claim that with the research and guidance he can offer,
better outcomes are more achievable.
He does the difficult leg work, obtains the latest medical
information so that you can make the best treatment choices.
After visiting his www.independentpatientadvocates.com,
I certainly wound want him on my team if my cancer were
to re-occur.
“The Saving of Gordon” may be ordered at www.thecancerlifeline.com.
Independent Patient Advocates offers a free phone consult
at 203-980-6064.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
