The disease of Cancer, (which is a general term for over 200 varied types of malignant Cancer) gets an awfully bad rap, and for an extremely good reason. Any individual reading this book, and most knowledgeable people around the world, will understand why: All Cancers, no matter the form, the location, the Stage (level of spread or severity in the body), or the frequency of occurrence, are potentially life-threatening. Add to this the facts that the world is teeming with dozens of causative factors and billions of probable hosts, and you have all the makings for several bad days for millions of people each year. So bad, in fact, that, according to the most recent statistics, some variety of Cancer will reach out and touch over 6 million men, women, and children, worldwide, every year, and over 1.7 million unsuspecting Americans.
More specifically, Statistical Studies find that 1 out of every 2 men, and 2 out of 3 women, will become cancerous at some juncture during their lives, as will 1 out every 300 children in the U.S. before they reach their 19th birthday. Not a pretty picture, indeed, and is one to which we can all relate, simply by looking at our own family members, friends, and acquaintances who have been afflicted in some way, shape, or form by this very despicable disease. It is quite discouraging, but, as bad as it all sounds, thankfully, Cancer directly impacts only a relatively small percentage of the world’s population. And the news gets better: Research Studies find that for all childhood and adult Cancers combined, there is an average 75-80% 5-year-or-longer survival rate. Yes!!
Regrettably, Cancer has hit way-too-close-to-home in my family, with me joining my Mom, Betty, both of my Grandmothers—Ellen and Kathryn—and my Aunt Connie, in becoming a casualty of a surprise assault by this ever-present nemesis. Yes, despite my lifelong aversion to tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and fatty, salty, sugary foods and drinks, and, in spite of my diligent, continuous daily exercise and fitness regimen, Cancer still managed to lock me in its sights. In 2004, at age 52, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer at the Base of the Tongue. Typically, my variety of Cancer (which is relatively rare among Cancers) is caused by excessive tobacco, and/or, alcohol use. But, with me not consuming either, it made my diagnosis all the more puzzling and peculiar. Nevertheless, it did find its mark, and in the process, caused me to commence a roughly, 3-year-long Cancer journey that was filled with many lows, a few highs, a multitude of distressing and almost-intolerable treatment-related Side Effects, and a host of other good and bad things that happened along the way.
Thankfully, during my protracted Cancer ordeal, I had a very skilled Medical Team, a very encouraging, devoted, and helpful Caregiver, and an extremely supportive family and friends, to help me throughout. Then, after safely making it through roughly 2 ½ months of Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and several Surgeries, and, after I successfully defeated many Side Effects, severe depression, and prescription painkiller dependency, I eventually came out the other end—a little over three years later—and was declared by one of my physicians to be “Cancer-free.” It was not an easy road for me, to say the least, but, it was made much more bearable by me and my Caregiver learning what we could about Cancer—and my form of Cancer, specifically—so that we would know how best to beat it, what to expect, and how to deal with the treatments, the Side Effects, and some of the aftermath.
Additionally, and, perhaps, just as importantly, my ability to weather the many storms I faced in battling my Cancer was due to my own mental and physical strength and will-to-survive, as well as the very optimistic and encouraging words and actions of people who “had my back.” It was those beneficial acts of my support network, coupled with the positive books, stories, and articles I read that were written by other Cancer survivors, which helped me rally myself in the thick of battle and to appreciate each precious victory as it came.
Throughout my complete Cancer journey—every day for over three years—I wrote the highlights of my experiences—good and bad, happy and sad—in a journal, no matter how horrible I felt. Using those daily diary notes, information provided to me by my Medical Team, and research I conducted of U.S. Government Cancer resources, I wrote a book entitled, Cancer Is One Big Pain-In-The Neck! (And Many Other Body Parts), which I had published in June 2014.
The reason that I have written Life Lines is actually rather clear-cut. It is because a Cancer patient or survivor can never have too much good news. Nor, can a victim of Cancer be provided with an overabundance of love, optimism, or encouragement, or, with too many positive thoughts. Take it from me, a 12+-year survivor of Cancer as I write this, my fragile emotional state and my physical well-being during my lengthy journey truly depended upon the elevating of others with their prayers, hope, and encouraging words. It is my hope that my poetry, quotations, and associated photos—all based on my own Cancer experiences and things I learned during my ordeal—will help to inspire, educate, and uplift other Cancer victims during their own courageous journeys.
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