From: danm@watson.ibm.com (Dan McCabe)
Subject: Re: encouraging experiences.
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 1992 16:06:11 GMT
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: danm@grumpy.watson.ibm.com (Dan McCabe)
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM TJ Watson Research
Keywords: Hope, Optimism, Fight.

This is not so much a story of courage as it is a story of luck.

About 18 months ago, my father broke several vertebrae. In an X-ray to examine
the spine, the radiologists noticed a shadow in the lung.  A CAT scan revealed
that it was a tumor.

My father's primary care physician was ready to bury him (I think this was the
first case of lung cancer that he had actually encountered in one of his
patients and panicked). However, the physician did refer my father to Sloan
Kettering in NYC for further diagnosis and treatment (he was clearly out of his
league).

At Sloan Kettering, a tracheotomy was performed to obtain a biopsy and
the biopsy
confirmed that the tumor was malignent. However, since my father has severe
asthma and emphesima (sic on both?) with a resultant loss of lung
function, the tumor
was considered inoperable.

The physicians at Sloan Kettering prescribed radiation therapy at his local 
hospital. About 30 treatments appeared to destroy the tumor!

We did have a scare about a month ago. The shadow of the former tumor shifted
in position in the most recent X-ray. Another tracheotomy indicated that there
were no malignancies in the tumor. The doctors speculated that a collapsed lung
which was a consequence of another operation in the past year was the source
of the change in the tumor appearance.

Our experience with the medical community has been mixed. The primary care
physician has shown his incompetance, but the staff of Sloan Kettering
has provided excellent care and diagnosis (which can only be expected, since
they are one of the leading cancer treatment centers in the country).

Also very appreciated were the volunteers from the American Cancer Society,
who readily provided transportation to and from NYC (about a 2 hour
drive from where
my dad lives). These people have gone out of their way to be helpful and the 
assistance is greatly appreciated.

One unfortunate aspect of this whole experience has been the abandonment
of my parents
by their "friends". After mentioning the tumor to their friends, my
parents were
treated like pariahs. At a time when friends become more important than ever,
this was sad to see. Needless to say, my parents still hold a grudge to these
former "friends".

The major lesson that I have learned from all of this is that the importance of
early diagnosis cannot be overemphasized. We were lucky in that we discovered
the tumor by accident during the early stages of its development. Others have
mentioned it in this newsgroup and I want to reiterate it: don't postpone 
examining a suspicious shadow or lump or whatever other evidence you may have 
of cancer, even if the physician recommends waiting. You have a much better 
chance of winning the battle if you start the fight earlier rather than later.

At this time, the war has not been declared to be over. Although the tumor 
appears to be destroyed and there is no evidence of the cancer spreading to
other parts of the body, we still hold our breath. Perhaps one day we can rest
easier. However, we now have more hope that the future will turn out all right.

Anyways, that the story of my dad. I hope this helps someone.

Cheers,
danm