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my name is Ted. I retired after 32 years in family practice. About 6 years ago, I developed
a cancer in my stomach. I didn’t realize at the time how sick I
really was. about two days after they told me this was
probably pancreatic cancer, Dr. Sasson called me and said this doesn’t look like a solid
tumor like most pancreatic tumors are. He said it looks more cystic and I think I can
get it. That was on a Wednesday. Friday I was in the operating room. He did a rather
complicated procedure that took a little while.
keeping busy is very important. I always told my patients, if you get the diagnosis of cancer,
there are several things to remember. First, you are going to feel like a ton of bricks
hit you. In this day in age, try to dispel the element of fear. There’s so much they
can do for so many types of cancer. When I was in med school, there were many tumors
that were considered death sentences. Leukemia, hodgkins, lung cancer, colon cancer. You did
what you could, but the rest of it was palliative care. That’s no longer true. It’s much
easier now to encourage others, but it’s easier to be encouraged myself. Because I’ve
seen first hand what can be done. There are uncertainties. You talk with your
family and the first question they ask is, “how long you got?” I don’t know. That’s
not up to me. You worry, what’s my family going to do if something happens to me? Or
how long am I going to be around? Am I going to see my grandkids grow up, this kind of
thing. You learn to roll with the punches. I’ll admit it’s easier for some than others.
#1-do not be afraid to talk about it. #2 don’t be concerned that you have uncertainties about
it. Because you will. #3 try not to be afraid. #4 be sure that you have the best help available
for you. they’re not always easy. The biggest thing
I’d advise people is – don’t be afraid to talk about it. With friends, a support
group, family, physician. You have to be frank with your physician. How am I doing? If things
are taking a turn for the worse, what do I do now?
it never hurts when you receive the diagnosis of cancer or any disease that could take your
life to get your affairs in order. To do things you know you want to do. Make a list; to be
somewhat introspective. Look inside and say, “what do I really want with the time I have
left?”
one of the things we hope to do… rephrase that… going to do this fall is go to England.
Never been there, but always wanted to see it. We did a trip through the Canadian Rockies
recently. It was magnificent. I’d never been to Hawaii. So we decided we’d do that.
These are all things I’m glad I did. Not to say I might not go back there, but at least
I’ve been there and seen them. I don’t think it hurts to look at things like that
so long as you don’t look at them so much that you don’t get anything done.
don’t be afraid to talk about it but don’t be afraid to listen. Listen to others, other
ppls experience listen to what your doctor has to say. The more knowledge you have, the
less fear you have. The fear of the unknown is a pretty big fear.
there are so many resources now that you can call on.
get your family involved don’t hide things from them. I’ve been very lucky in that
regard. this is something that #1 is very unpredictable
#2, variable and #3 something you just have to learn to live with.