When the oncologist said, "welcome to the wide world of cancer"

to my wife and I, we were startled. We have come to appreciate his perspective. My wife is a long term survivor; others in the family were not so fortunate. And we are part of a very wide "cancer community," which is affected by news such as the death of T. Snow. We have learned a great deal about compassion, support, thoughtfulness-- and the opposites of those qualities.

To those in DU also affected by cancer, my best wishes on a troubling day.

Snow was not a person I admired, but he was also not the worst of his ilk. He was also fairly young, and many people experience learning and growth later in life, but his potential has been extinguished, and that's sad.

Even though I won't miss him, his passing is a reminder that we can never take tomorrow for granted.

I'm glad your wife is pulling through. I hope she stays well for a long, long time.

It's a family business, and I've been there ten years, so he's more than a boss, though not really someone I hang out with or anything. He went through aggressive colon cancer treatment three years ago. Now he's got spots everywhere. The doctor told him that ten years ago he'd be having the conversation about organizing his personal affairs, and he'd have given him six months. Now, there are treatments.

So I can only imagine what you're going through. I found out about my friend yesterday, and woke to Tony Snow's death today. I'm shaken. I imagine your reaction is far worse than mine.

Including a 5yo little girl. :cry:

This year alone, I lost two very good friends to cancer. One had the same cancer that Teddy Kennedy has.

It's a horrible, horrible way to die.

I mean, people who are there one day and gone the next. Pancreatic cancer - that's the one that I hate to hear about.

Was diagnosed in August. Three kids.

Devastated doesn't begin to describe what this did to her family.

THE WORST. I swear it has a mind of its own...evil. I've watched it cut down two people who were very close to me. Worst thing I've ever seen. And by the time it's been diagnosed, it's usually too late. That's what is so cruel.

And it seems to strike people in their middle years - late 40's/early 50s.

I don't care if Tony Snow was the devil incarnate, (which he wasn't), it's a horrific way to die and I hope he is at peace.

My condolences to his family.

it felt like i was having an out-of-body experience in his office.

My wife's job took her to various public schools at the time. Because she "went public" about the entire situation and stayed steady, others have turned to her for years when facing breast cancer. Me, too. And many have made said things similar to that. Life changing....

I have a cancer-like disorder, that some believe is a pre-leukemic condition, so its something that looms large in my life...Whatever his politics, cancer is a painful and horrible way to die and I can't help but feel sympathy.

That danged question mark just hangs over, doesn't it. Hope you finds others supportive.

Two more cases in My Family; one going real well, the other one not so good.

Makes Everyone feel strange: happy and sad at the same time.

There's something like 4 cases on the next street over in my Neighborhood.

:hug:

I appreciate your kind words. I lost my mother to cancer and the following year, I lost my younger brother to cancer as well and he was in his early 40s. He too had a tumor in his liver as was the case with Tony Snow. I knew Tony wouldn't last long when I heard this part of his story. It is very sad indeed and that sadness never goes away. :(

Days like this, and there are way too many, bring it all back, eh?

May you receive only the best of care and kindnesses throughout from all you encounter...

A neighbor just died from cancer at age 52, a friend was just diagnosed and is undergoing chemo, and I recently learned that another friend is battling breast cancer. My spouse (41st anniversary coming up) has a tumor that is likely malignant, so we're not sure what the future holds. It seems no one is truly safe from this insidious disease. It takes so many forms and is no respector of persons. I echo your words about care and kindness. Those afflicted with this awful disease deserve nothing less.

Blessings to you.

I suppose it shouldn't be surprising that those who know what it's like to when one had a relative or friend lose the fight against cancer, often in a painful and inhuman manner, react to news like this with way different priorities in mind.
When my aunt had cancer, she was around Snow's age, I never wanted to believe she would die after "beating" skin cancer once. And when my dad eventually received the inevitable call, all he could say was something like "Well, at least it's finally over then." When one sees death as a relief because of all the pain, then it really is a symbol for what kind of horrible disease it is.

Good luck to both of you and all those who are affected as well.

One cannot know how it feels to hear those words, even if it was expected, as in my case.
Those words change your entire life from that moment on.

Good luck to you and your wife from another cancer veteran.

In some ways, it's brought us closer to some very courageous people.

:hug:

and their mother died of it last December.

On top of that, my partner was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last August. She went through treatment and had her thyroid removed--all successful. Cancer scares the hell out of me. It is the most horrible thing I've ever seen. We're still reeling from her sister's untimely death (she was only 43). It is something that is always with us. You never get over it or get past the fear of getting it.

successful treatment. But, aren't those follow-up appointments nerve wracking? That's another kind of silent consequence that many don't understand.

and she skipped her mammogram this year because she's not comfortable with being exposed to any more radiation.

She gets enough radiation exposure from her job as an Air Traffic Controller (sitting in front of radar scopes).

I had my screening and I didn't argue with her about her's.

There ARE times when I said chemo made her meaner....usually when she's not around!

If not, make sure she is vigilant about the breast self exam every month. That's how mine was detected, even though the tumor showed up in a mammogram six months earlier. (Long story)

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastus&bhcp=1

And, maybe, a way of opening some eyes, ears, and hearts.

Snow's death is unnerving to those of us who have "been there" and always fear the possibility of return.

The "survivors' lap" at our annual walkathon has incredible stories. Sadly, recurrences are part of some of them. On we go.....

...and it basically scared the hell out of me before I knew what it was. The bad kind of cancer has hit my family and taken three members in my lifetime. Maybe someone should start a rumor that cancer is Islamic or gay.

Best wishes to you and your family, and all whose lives are affected by this disease.

Your words captured my thoughts perfectly. Best wishes to your family as well. :hug:

Cancer does not know any boundaries, political affiliations or how much money a victim has. I am a ten year survivor and I am so saddened by his death. My heart breaks for his family, especially his wife and children as well as his friends.

It doesn't matter that I absolutely hated his politics, he fought the cancer as long as he could. He fought with grace and dignity and never gave up hope. I shed a few tears for him and his family when I learned of his death. We should all be remembered for the love we gave and not our politics.