Quote: Embrace each day of life  for tomorrow is not guaranteed- Anonymous



This blog was born out of my personal diagnosis of stage four kidney cancer on  Februrary  8, 2010. To say it came as a shock is an understatement. With the exception of an acorn shaped nodule on the left side of my neck , ( a swollen lymph node), I felt fine. There were no outward discernible symptoms. It was, and still is to a certain  degree surreal. To know that there is something growing in ones  body, something that the best  Dr.s  in the world have no way of stopping is disturbing to say the least.

This blog is intended for those people diagnosed with cancer and their families. It is designed to be  in part, my story, from the initial diagnosis, surgery,  on going chemo and  living with cancer as well  as "best practices" resource guide. There are a multitude of cancer based resources- orginazations offering assistance for those with cancer and their families. Some of them are  excellent, some to a lesser degree. The orginazations listed under the "resource guide" on the right side of this screen are the best of best. Receiving the diagnosis " you have cancer", whether it be stage 1 or stage 4 terminal- the diagnosis is life altering. The last thing one wants, one needs  to do is find the best resources- especially by trial by error. All of ones energies should be spent on a cure if possible, and if not enjoying life as best as possible.

After recieving the initial diagnosis, "you have cancer" whether it be stage 1 or stage 4, terminal cancer one's  life is never really the same. Even if one is fortunate enough to survive the initial diagnosis and treatment regiment and be in remission the fact is one is only one Dr.s visit from the cancer coming back, those dreaded words, "the cancer has returned". Every pain, every little anomaly  in ones body, however minor and ones heart skips a beat and a lump forms in your throat and you wonder "is it back"? That is a reality that every cancer survivor lives with.

In addition to having and living with a terminal diagnosis I lost my father to prostate cancer nearly four years ago.  This gives and allows me a dual  perspective, not only one as one living with cancer, but one who has had to deal with the anguish of losing a loved one to cancer. Hopefully others will learn and take comfort from my story and realize they are not alone.

There are over 12 million people living with cancer, affecting not only them but their friends and families, in total there are over 60 million touched by this disease , either directly or indirectly and the number is growing each and every day.

Whether you or a family member was diagnosed with cancer yesterday or if you have been battling the disease for years I hope that my story, my experiences are not only useful but insightful.  The best way to follow my blog is to become a follower, click on the follower link on the main screen and updates will be automatically pushed to your inbox.

Future postings will include but not be limited to choosing, finding a competent oncologist, the importance of therapy, how to "live" and cope with the disease no matter how dire the circumstances,  how to reinvent your life, the importance of embracing life, embracing old friends and more,  as well as a much detailed outline of the resource guide.

For those that know me best, know that my approach will be an unvarnished look at the disease and life. If you know anyone with cancer, ( and who doesn't) I ask that you forward this to them and sign up as a "follower".