Comments for Resist pressure to be a victim at http://www.healthafterchemo.com , comment 1 to 4 out of 4 comments http://www.healthafterchemo.com Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:11:02 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.healthafterchemo.com/cancer-support-blogs/resist-pressure-to-be-a-victim.html#comment-62 I agree whole heartily I have fought since day 1 NOT to be a victim. I was shocked at everyone's reaction to my news (and the look in their eyes like I was a dead woman), I had self diagnosed my breast cancer 2 weeks prior to the OFFICIAL diagnosis by my PCP. That was Oct 12, 2006. I went to the doc's office then drove home to tell my parents and daughter the news. Yes its positive and I have breast cancer, and darn it had to be Oct "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" I fought hard to get through Chemo, Left breast masectomy Surgery, more Chemo, Right breast masectomy surgery, Lymph node and left breast INFECTION, (and the worst) Radiation. followed by another year of that infection that included almost monthly hospital stays and home iv meds, I gave myself. Least to say my Chemo Brain, I suffer (ed) buzzing (yup the voices in my head) and severe Vertigo from not just the Chemo but the IV anti biotics for the infection. Still when tired or stressed it is there. But a victim NO WAY, I have survived all of this to make sure I can help others to do the same. I am a complete advocate of NO RADIATION FOR BREAST CANCER!!!!! No proof it helps, just a maybe, but the Radiologists push it, and I fell for the game. I wish I hadn't. But anyone needs a virtual hug here I am here. I am back to work full time now and plan to live to be 100! LIVE STRONG, BE STRONG - dihealey26086@aol.com Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:47:22 +0100 http://www.healthafterchemo.com/cancer-support-blogs/resist-pressure-to-be-a-victim.html#comment-60 I have not "played" the victim, but I have felt victimized more than once, but what they call treatment, which is...what's the word...well, barbaric. I am not the same anymore--in both good an bad ways, and dealing with this cliche "new normal" takes a lot out of a person. We can't all grin and bear it all the time, and sometimes we do need something extra--some understanding and validation for all we are dealing with. I have not really gotten a gloom and doom feeling from the media. I have gotten that from the oncologists. There have been plenty of positive thoughts I have found for myself in all of this, but not one has come from any of them. They definitely focus on all the negative, and pressure a person to take the harsh chemicals they offer, and then they don't want to hear about the longstanding effects. They just want to say you must have something else wrong with you. It can't possibly still be from chemo. Thank the Lord, I have a great PCP, who looks into things, and validates what I have been reporting. She finds proactive ways to address issues, and understands that I do not want to add more drugs into the mix. Anyway, while I agree that it CAN become a self-fulfilling prophecy to buy into the cancer patient mentality, and it CAN be hard to get out of, I think anyone will get out of it more quickly with positive support in place for the cancer survivor. We definitely need answers and proactive therapies, not drugs for ADD or depression, not more messing with our body chemistry. We also need understanding and support. I am not talking about coddling, but real help in sorting life back out again, setting new achievable goals, and working toward them through what can be some discouraging times after treatment. We need health insurance to pay for whatever therapies we need after cancer treatment, physical, emotional, mental, social--whatever. I think it's easier to start thinking of oneself as a victim when there is no support structure in place at the end of treatment, as is the case now. As my mind and energy are returning, I am trying to figure out how to start that type of thing--a cancer survivor's center. Don't know how successful I will be, but I do see this as an area of great need, now that so many of us are surviving. Anyway, sorry I went on a bit. I have found your YouTube Chemo-Brain seminar, and it is GREAT. Thank you so much for posting it. - janimil Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:42:40 +0100 http://www.healthafterchemo.com/cancer-support-blogs/resist-pressure-to-be-a-victim.html#comment-59 We welcome all evidence-based articles and blogs. Please do not use this space on www.healthafterchemo.com for promoting your product or service. Even though well-intentioned, you are violating our terms of service. You may complete a contact form and submit your idea for an article on your product-- You must have at least ingredient-based evidence. Thank you. - Dr. Susan Hardwicke Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:38:51 +0100 http://www.healthafterchemo.com/cancer-support-blogs/resist-pressure-to-be-a-victim.html#comment-58 Thank you for addressing this issue. It's something that has been bothering me; the media loves to take a position that is overwhelmingly positive or negative. The energy, time, money, and media coverage focused on cancer in October is lost after November 1 rolls around. If there are 31 days in October, why are there then 334 wherein "pink" isn't as socially important? I appreciate your passion for seeking out an "unpopular" viewpoint while pin-pointing the crux of a complex issue. - wakinguphungry Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:33 +0100