True or False

I have discovered that I have LOTS of time waiting for Chuck to go through all of his procedures. Some days there is more than others, but wait I must. I have gotten some magazines of interest to help pass the time. The waiting rooms also contribute to my reading whims from what's happening with Brad and Angelina to sports to children's magazines to, oh yes, cancer info. It is of the latter which I would like to address in this entry.

There are two pamphlets from Stepping Stones that I read today. The first is what they labeled as: Your connection to information and supportive resources for Living With Cancer - Learning to take care of yourself. The other is: Your connection to information and supportive resources for Showing That You Care - How you can help if someone you know has cancer.

So tonight's blog will be about the first pamphlet and I'll do the other another night.

They start out:

"If you have just been diagnosed with cancer, then this is a difficult and
perhaps frightening time. There are many misunderstandings about
cancer. Cancer is never easy, but it is something that millions of
Americans have learned to live with. What do you know about
living with cancer?"

Now for a little TRUE or FALSE test (answers at the end of the entry):

1. All cancers are alike.

2. Eating well and exercising regularly may help you fight cancer.

3. Taking care of your emotional health is as important as taking care of your physical health.

4. Everyone who faces cancer must ultimately do so alone.

5. Children should not be told about cancer.

Now some facts that you may not know:

• There are more than 7 million Americans living with cancer.
• There are more than 100 different types of cancer.
• Many types of cancers can potentially be cured. With many other cancers, treatment can prolong life and reduce the symptoms that cancer can cause. In most cases, you can live a relatively normal life during that time.
• Many people with cancer are able to keep their jobs and fulfill their family responsibilities.
• Some cancer treatments have fewer or less severe side effects than other treatments. There are also new ways to manage side effects.

The pamphlet goes on to say that we should learn to be a part of our treatment. I believe that we are doing that already. For example: last week when we had so many problems with getting the blood flow from Chuck's port and had to wait an extra hour for the "drano" to work. We asked the Count if that was needed when we met with him last week. He said no that they can take blood from anywhere and it did not have to be from the port. (What sometimes happens is that the cathater gets too close to the vein wall and it's like sucking on a straw when it's touching the bottom of the glass and with no liquid to suck up. It is in perfect placement for liquid to flow through it the other way - which is what WE want - so it's not really important to get the draw from there.) When we saw Doc Y today, we asked him HIS opionion. Wonder of wonders, he agreed with the Count!! So, when we AGAIN were having problems today, I suggested that they take the blood elsewhere and that we spoke with both the surgeon and the oncologist that it would be okay. While I understand that the nurses just want to confirm that there is an opening for the chemo drugs to flow, they did confirm that the pump would let us know that it was not working and beep at us. We didn't get a BEEP today so I felt good about our control of the situation.

Two more points that I want to touch on before you get the answers to the quiz.

Dealing with "D-Day" aka "Down Days". We all have to remember that "DOWN" does not mean "doomed". These days will effect both the cancer patient (Chuck) and his support group (us). Hopefully, NOT on the same day or at the same time! The booklet suggests we create a "self-rescue plan" of things that will help pick up the our spirits. Please feel free to add to this list of suggestions:

1. Read an inspiring story
2. Rest and save yourself for another day
3. Look through a family photo album
4. Listen to music
5. Try to be with other people who are happy
6. BLOG (my contribution)
7. Go through the cards that have been sent and read the wonderful thoughts of prayers and support from our family and friends (also my contribution)

The last point is the support from family and friends. THAT'S US!! I think, by now, that most of our family knows of the challenges Chuck will be facing. However, the one group that I'm most concerned about telling will be the children. I talked to Kailey last night about the fact that we would not be here for her actual birthday since we would be in Florida visiting Brian, Lauren and Tyler. I explained that it was important for Uncle Brian to see his father since he lived so far away and wouldn't be able to visit him in the hospital and that Aunt Marcia and her father lived close and could. I've already explained to her that he will have to be in the hospital for a few days at the end of the month and then come home to rest and get better. I'm hoping that she understands. Time will tell!

Now, that all that has been said, I'm going to put you all our of your suspense and give you the answers. Now I hope that none of you scrolled to the end to look at the answers first. You know, like reading the last chapter in a murder mystery to see "who done it" before you legitimately got to the ending! Hummm, wonder who does THAT??

1. FALSE There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Many can be treated and living with one kind may be very different than living with another.

2. TRUE Eating well and exercising may help make your body stronger and you may feel better, too!

3. TRUE Taking car of your emotional health may directly help you fight cancer.

4. FALSE There are many support groups and other resources to ehlp people live with cancer.

5. FALSE Children will almost always know something is wrong. If they are not told the truth, they may assume the worst or believe that it is their fault.

So, how did YOU do?