Sketches of Strength - An Introduction

Written by Dr. Mel

Sunday, 05 February 2006

So, you have just been diagnosed with a form of cancer that is very possibly not  just  life threatening, but life ending. What are you going to do about it? You could simply become resigned to the diagnosis and take the advice of doctors who are nearby and most convenient for you. Or, maybe, you could follow the advice of  a few well-meaning friends and neighbors who heard of some exotic, less-than-mainstream approach. You could follow no advice, whatsoever. You could feel great fear, and fail to make any decision- as if you were in one of those dreams when you try to scream and nothing comes out. You could go into a depression and feel that the best part of life has passed you by. You could be filled with worry and anxiety-just what you need when you really need every ounce of energy to do battle with the disease that has developed in your body. The diagnosis of any form of cancer forces you into making the most important decisions of your life. These truly are life and death decisions. Fortunately, we live at a time when a lot can be done about it, and people are now living far longer with a far greater quality of life than ever before thought possible. But, your success in navigating through this somewhat dark and winding road will really depend upon the course you set for yourself. You are in a position to make some life-saving choices, and that is what this book is about. Here are the courageous stories of some famous, and not-so-famous people who have been diagnosed with a particularly deadly form of cancer called multiple myeloma, which is cancer of the bone marrow. Their success in holding onto life and dealing with the disease can serve as an example to anyone who has just found out that they have a disease which is incurable and fatal. There are some common threads that weave through each of the survivor stories, and with these examples, one can learn and be energized to live life to its fullest. Why multiple myeloma? Well, that is the disease with which I was diagnosed in late 1996. In the United States, about 14,000 people will find out that they have myeloma each year. The disease is currently incurable and can affect people in a multiple of ways by challenging the immune system, weakening the kidneys, and causing excruciating bone fractures. At the time of diagnosis, I had five fractured vertebrae and a number of ruptured discs. The physical pain was extreme, and since then, I have lost more than five inches of height. The average length of survival for myeloma patients had been just 33 months. Yet, here I am, years later, writing this book-and I have plenty of company. But while the profiles focus on those with myeloma, a relatively less common form of cancer, hundreds of thousands of people are diagnosed with deadly diseases each and every year. Yet, many have managed to make the right decisions and have managed to survive far better and far longer than initially thought possible. Through these specific success stories, you can find commonalities of personality, attitude and behavior that made that success possible. You can learn the importance of having an advocate by your side who can speak for you when you can’t. Also, you will see the importance of faith and the support of family and friends. And should you slow down and retire, or work as long as you can? You can learn by example. This is a story of proactiveness and optimism, and these qualities provide the foundation for success regardless of the challenge. The book also provides information about what one should know following a seemingly devastating diagnosis of cancer. Where can one turn to find the most advanced treatment? What should you expect from your doctor? How important is it to enter the different medical trials which are being conducted throughout the world? How do you get information about these trials? What about websites which provide information on those trials and new therapies? In other words, this book serves as a primer on managing one’s disease, in addition to being a survival guide to everyone who holds life dearly and preciously.