Newsflash: Radiation is not good for you. Yes, it has the life saving properties that help fight cancer, one of the only options we really have. I am one of those conspiracy theorists that believe we can do much better, and that politics win out over the ultimate fight to save lives. Instead of going into my crazy theories, I will just give you an idea of what one cancer survivor has endured. Granted, my cancer fight was peanuts compared to what others must go through (more aggressive and difficult cancers, much more horrific treatments than even I can imagine, etc.), but it's not to say it hasn't taken it's toll.
My journey has went something like this: surgery to remove my thyroid along with the cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes in my neck. Two months later, I ingested the radiation pill that would work to kill the cancer. Problem is, it sure does a lot of damage in the process. I am only about 3 years out and have already had multiple procedures and surgeries to combat some of the damage it has already caused. When we hear about someone surviving cancer, we cheer to the heavens that their fight is over. It is certainly not.
Not to go into too much detail, but the few health problems I've already faced haven't been fun. Last year my salivary glands protested against me by making my cheeks blow up and creating pain whenever I would eat. After some testing, and the "there's nothing we can do" diagnosis, it miraculously went away. I was shocked. Earlier this year, I started noticing a similar pattern to the start of problems with my tear ducts. No, I was not high, nor did I have pink eye. My tears (and all the other fabulous gunk that builds in your eye) would no longer drain. I never went anywhere without my tissues and red-eye relief drops to be the stand-in for my damaged tear ducts. It doesn't sound that bad I guess, but trust me when I say you need to be thankful for working tear ducts. It sucks without them.
The miraculous healing I'd experienced with the salivary glands did not happen. So 3 surgeries later, I sit here awaiting the results once again of my most recent experience with going under the knife. Two holes drilled through my skull and a second set of tubes in my eyes later, I'm hoping I've won this battle. Not sure that I've won the war, but at least there may be some victory on the horizon.
I have been reading the blog of a mom somewhere out there in google-space about her 5-year-old son, Ty's, battle with cancer and how it tragically ended last month. I've read of how hard they fought to save this curly-haired, little blond angel to no avail, despite the rigorous medical regimen his tiny body had to endure. He had lost mobility and most pictures I saw of him in his last year of life were under the covers watching life go by- although I truly believe his parents helped him live life to the absolute fullest and that it was nothing short of beautiful. It makes me cry every time I think of him though. If I didn't have kids of my own, I often think of how I'd take his place in a heartbeat.
There is no way I am comparing what I have gone through with this little boy's fight. Not in the least. It does highlight the tragedy of what cancer patients must go through, and reminds us that we are a long way away from treatments that don't kill us in the process. Treatments that kill cancer and not our livelihood. Until the day for a cure like that arises, we need to be praying. Praying for kids like Ty who will never get to see the day. And please keep his family in your prayers and the fight they are making against pediatric cancer. Take one look at this little boy, and get angry with cancer. I did. But then pray and ask how you can help in the fight. I will too. Here is a link to Ty's blog: http://www.superty.org/2012/11/misery-does-not-love-company.html
