Hi Bill,

Glad to hear about the 18 year-old survivor, the progress in treatment today is amazing. We also have cancer in our family too. It's my grandaughter, Katie has Leukemia she's 6, diagnosed 11 months ago at age 5. Fortunately she's responding very well to her chemo.

We've done the relay ourselves, we're also grateful to all who contribute. Thank you for your participation.

Hi Bill-You are so on point, we are all touched by this vicious horrible disease.  It is getting close for the Relay for Life time.  I hope that this is the year that enough money is made to help produce further break throughs to help all those that are devastated by cancer.  Thanks for bringing attention to something so important!

Wow, Bill,  The word cancer brings people to shutter regardless of how tough we are or THINK we are.  I too would be devastated to learn that one of my 3 children had that terrible disease.  My grandfather had multiple myeloma and leukemia.  He died a few years ago.  It is such a terrible thing.  You're right, we all need to pray for those diagnosed, and do whatever fund raisers, etc., that we can.  Great strides HAVE been made, but we need so much more to cure it.  And, Lynda Eisenmann, may prayers and the wisdom of doctors heal your little Katie.  Posted By:  Nad?ine Blakely, Lynchburg, VA, RE/MAX 1st Olympic. 

Hi Bill, This is one that unfortunately no one has to look all that far to find someone that is touched by this awful disease.  We currently have an agent in our office that is dealing with it.  I, myself, have lost several family members to this disease.  Anything that any of us can do to put an end to this will be a great blessing!  Thanks also for your support.

Hi Bill, This is one that unfortunately no one has to look all that far to find someone that is touched by this awful disease.  We currently have an agent in our office that is dealing with it.  I, myself, have lost several family members to this disease.  Anything that any of us can do to put an end to this will be a great blessing!  Thanks also for your support.

Bill,

I diagnosed my own cancer in 2001, Valentine's Day to be exact!  I told my personal physician that I had back pain for two years...thank goodness I worked in the medical field and took it upon myself to get one of my MD's to let me check myself out...it was kidney cancer...still encapsulated Stage 1, type 2..I had surgery March 1, 2001...it was horrible, took me 3 week's to be able to hold a gallon of milk. Stayed with my parents for a week (couldn't drive). When I was allowed to drive...I cried the whole way home - a one hour drive..so much pain.  Thank G*d and I mean this that my youngest daughter took care of my home while I was going through this at the mere age of 17, took care of the dog, took care of me...I couldn't even get out of bed without her help in the morning.She got me up b4 she went to school, the dog wouldn't leave my side until I went downstairs.  amazing.so fortunate.I  have a second chance...then....My other daughter also had cancer but to protect her privacy I don't want to say anymore...She's OK, so far...I pray to G*d and my Grandparent's every day for their help...

I guess you hit a nerve with me...sorry...Glad your 18 yo is OK...

No one know's the feeling of having cancer.  It's like having an alien inside you...My father is dealing with an Astrocytoma in his Brain right now...it cannot be removed...he hit's his head like he want's to kill it...it's killing him...make's me sick every day to see him go through this...CANCER IS HORRIBLE!

I would take my father's place in a minute not to see him suffer!  What a fabulous man, and what a great father he is to me...why does he have to suffer??? He doesn't deserve to do so!

Sorry, I'm depressed and sad,...thank you for the vent!

Karen, I'm sorry to hear you went through so much.  I'll keep your father in my prayers as well. 

You can vent on my blog anytime!  You've been through enough already.

It is amazing how many people's lives are touched by this terrible disease. They say that everyone knows someone that has or has had cancer. I lost 2 grandparents (one before I was born and one at the age of 10) to it and had heard of people that I know causally getting it. My step-mom had cervical cancer 40 years ago (and before she was in my life) but was diagnosed last year with breast cancer. She caught it early and they removed it. She didn't need chemo and just had a little radiation. When she told me, my stomach dropped and I thought my world was ending. I immediately thought that the outcome would not be good. Her attitude was positive the whole time and she said "Cancer is nothing. I beat it once and I'll beat it again." I was amazed by her positive attitude and hope that she was right. She was! I think her attitude had a lot to do with her healing and she also used some alternative medicine as well as western medicine.

I wish that everyone could get through cancer and beat it but that is not the case. I wouldn't want anyone to get cancer ever, but it is especially hard to hear about young children that have it. I sincerely hope that a cure is found in my lifetime. It seems that it is becoming more prevalent (whether it really is or it seems that way because we have more media coverage these days and a larger population, I don't know).

Sorry that my response was so long! I wish everyone that has it will go into remission!

It is amazing how many people's lives are touched by this terrible disease. They say that everyone knows someone that has or has had cancer. I lost 2 grandparents (one before I was born and one at the age of 10) to it and had heard of people that I know causally getting it. My step-mom had cervical cancer 40 years ago (and before she was in my life) but was diagnosed last year with breast cancer. She caught it early and they removed it. She didn't need chemo and just had a little radiation. When she told me, my stomach dropped and I thought my world was ending. I immediately thought that the outcome would not be good. Her attitude was positive the whole time and she said "Cancer is nothing. I beat it once and I'll beat it again." I was amazed by her positive attitude and hoped that she was right. She was! I think her attitude had a lot to do with her healing and she also used some alternative medicine as well as western medicine.

I wish that everyone could get through cancer and beat it but that is not the case. I wouldn't want anyone to get cancer ever, but it is especially hard to hear about young children that have it. I sincerely hope that a cure is found in my lifetime. It seems that it is becoming more prevalent (whether it really is or it seems that way because we have more media coverage these days and a larger population, I don't know).

Sorry that my response was so long! I wish everyone that has it will go into remission!

Bill, I stumbled onto your blog about cancer. Friday, the 4th my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that has also gone into the sternum. This will be her third bout with breast cancer, the last time being in 1989. It blew me away, I freaked. How could this be happening a third time to such a wonderful caring person? They say they believe they can take care of it with radiation, maybe Chemo and meds. She still has to have a lot more tests done. In a scan something showed up on her kidney as well although they are not sure at this point what.They say it is a hormonal cancer and she could be a carrier of a certain gene that would cause this and also be hereditary. Which didn't make it any easier to take. They will test me for the gene if I want to be tested. They say some people don't want to know if they have the gene. WHAT?? I want to be as aware and prepared as can be if I do have it. Say your prayers for my mom please. It helps alot. And thanks for letting me release some stress from a terrible weekend on here.

Bill, 

I'm a 4 year prostate cancer (PCa) survivor!

I almost waited too long to get diagnosed/treated!

If a man is over 50 and hasn't been screened for PCa he is gambling with his life. There are two "primary screening tools" - the PSA blood test and the DRE - digital rectal exam! My PCa was not detected/diagnosed until it had spread to about 90% of my prostate. 

My PSAs were withing limits (2.99 ng/ml ) but the DRE done by my family doctor in 2003 detected the cancer. The PCa had been growing in my body for 10+ years - undetected. One form of PCa is slow growing and another form spreads faster! Find out early if you have PCa and treatment is highly successful!

Thank God the doctors detected it early enough that local treatment (Cryosurgery) was effective for me! I have lost several friends and colleagues who died  at an early age from PCa because their PCa was detected and treated too late!

I'm not an "alarmist" but if you are a man over 50 get screened on at least an annual basis. If you have a history of PCa in your family or you are an African American man get screened starting at age 40! It could save your life!

Bill - It is especially sad to see very young children stricken with this disease.  I hope your friends will pull through.