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| 25 years ago, at about this time of year, while anxious over finishing my Ph.D, I found out that I had cancer and was finally at the end of my six cycles of chemotherapy on Feb 10th 1987. In a couple of years, I finished my thesis and had to get on with my life. |
| I had originally planned to write a few articles about getting on after cancer treatment as a survivor, as well as several other aspects of cancer and it's treatment. Instead, I will use this last article to thank my readers and make a few last statements. |
| First of all I thank everyone who read these passages, "liked" them, and took the time to post comments. All your positive support is appreciated. This exercise has become larger than I expected. I think have achieved most of the goals that are listed at the end of this post. It has been helpful to me, and I hope some of you. As always, I am open to questions you may have about cancer and chemotherapy. Post them here, or send me a facebook message, or an e-mail. |
| Many have suggested that I disseminate these writings to a wider audience. I am considering what the best method to do this would be. |
| If you are in North Jersey, I will be giving my 25th anniversary seminar called "Cancer Chemotherapy through the Eyes and Veins of a Chemist". Sokol Seminar Room, Science Hall, Montclair State campus February 13th, 2013. It is primarily a scientific talk, it presents the basics of cancer, treatment of chemotherapy, and my experience as a case study. The first and last parts are designed for a more general audience. All are welcome to come. |
| It is traditional in non-fictional writing to sum up the piece at the end. I find this impossible. If I could sum it all up in a few lines, I would not have needed to write 22+ other posts. I will try to write a few parting words which can at moist list some of the themes I have emphasized. |
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Cancer is bad. Cancer is hard to treat because it involves normal cells gone bad. For certain cancers, chemotherapy is a efficient, though brutal treatment. Cancer chemotherapy is a selected poisoning. Its side effects are mostly expected. Cancer and its treatment have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effects on one. These effects are long lasting. Better treatments and more research are needed. No one goes through cancer alone. Support of friends and family is a crucial part of treatment. The body is amazing, and can heal from serious blows .... in time. The question "Why me?" has no acceptable answer. A growing topic for medical researcher is the expanding number of cancer survivors. It is good to be alive. Once again, Thanks for reading. |
| (Cancer Chronicles is a series of status updates that account the events of 25 years ago when I went through a bout with cancer. Its purposes are multi-fold: catharsis, education, information, celebration, etc. ) |
| This originally was posted to facebook January 8, 2013. |
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