Dear Mark,
Let me start by saying how sorry I am to hear that you and your wife are
now on this cancering journey. It can be a real shock, especially when
it hits at a relatively young age. But as others will tell you, hope,
faith and mental attitude are some of the greatest weapons in this
disease, and stats are just numbers -- NOT PEOPLE! the only one who
knows when our time is up is the big guy upstairs, and he tends to keep
that info to himself!
I myself am a 5-year survivor in my 40's of an aggressive breast cancer.
And I have 2 relatives who were sent home for dead, with no hope and no
possible treatment options, who dramatically made their Drs. liars! My
aunt was diagnosed as "terminal" in her 50's...did finally pass away --
at the age of 105!! The cancer just disappeared, and like the energizer
bunny, she just kept on going! And then my cousin, in his 20's, was sent
home to die. He had a new baby and young wife, and sold what little he
had to put aside for his daughter's college. A couple years ago he
watched her GRADUATE from college!
These are just a few "statistics" of another kind, and friend, you will
meet many such statistics in this group. Your wife is not a number, but
a person with her own destiny. And amazingly, there are many gifts that
come with this disease once one gets past the fear and starts to look
for them. You will be amazed by how many cancerers have actually found
much to be grateful for BECAUSE of this illness (myself included),
pearls that might never have been found without it.
You have taken a good first step in "dealing" with this disease, Mark,
by finding this group; now you and your wife need to toss out the
negative and take charge of what you can do for her health. You have
found a safe supportive g"family" here, folks who have been through the
fire themselves and who will now walk with you and your wife on this
difficult journey. It's a place to vent, whine, cry -- and yes,
celebrate -- with others who understand and care. Our prayers are with
you and your wife, Mark. Love, Joicy
Mark E. Levy wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> After my wife was diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC last month, I began
> reading anything and everything on the subject. This includes the
> mortality statistics.....When I read the stats, though, I can't help
but get depressed by what I see, even though I realize that these stats
> could be several years old, and probably don't take into account the
> latest drug combinations and therapies.
>
> How do others deal with this?
>
> Mark Levy
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