I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

I agree with the sadness of the loss of Steve Jobs...Bought my first IPod in 2004 and never looked back...Now on a MacAir...So much easier to navigate than Microsoft...He was only 1 month older than me...Yikes!  Just goes to show:  it doesn't matter how much money you have, your health is not something that can be bought...RIP Steve Jobs...

 Sunflowers:  OH MY on that article about Pink products!  I was always skeptical about the pink ribbon stuff - now I'm doubly sure of not buying that junk...

Is Pinktober over yet? 

Oh, one more thing:  Don't know who recommended the "Emporer of all Maladies" - FANTASTIC book...Amazing what has happened in 100 years...Makes understanding this disease so much clearer...Thank YOU!

I had The Emperor of All Maladies on hold at the library, but I cancelled it. I'm just not ready to read it yet. I read Bathsheba's Breast-a history of breast cancer. It was good, but that was enough for now.

Mary 

I read Bathsheba's Breast, too . . . it was gruesomely fascinating to learn how breast cancer has been treated (or not) over the years.  And the anecdote that gave the book its title was really interesting.  For those who haven't read the book, a doctor was looking at a Rembrandt painting -- can't remember the name or exactly what was depicted, other than, duh, Bathsheba with her breasts exposed -- and "diagnosed" breast cancer from the image.  It turns out that Rembrandt's mistress/model died fairly soon after the painting was done.  I'm not sure that a cause of death was recorded, but from what's known -- and from the evidence of the painting -- it was almost certainly breast cancer.

I guess what gets to me about the story is the thought of someone bringing their clinical experience (or obsession, maybe?) with them to the art museum, so that they look at a Biblical scene painted 350 years ago and instead of seeing the composition, or the light, or the technique or whatever, they see a patient.  Strange and poignant, too, to think of this 17th century Dutch woman, who may not even have known she was ill, posing nude for her lover; and of her lover faithfully reproducing the evidence of her illness.

(Mary, it's been a while since I read the book, so please correct me if I'm garbling this.  And like you, I have yet to tackle Emperor of All Maladies.  I do want to read it, though.)

Linda 

Kira and I cross-posted, so this is edited to add congrats on the good blood work, and to pass along best wishes to your DH.  Hope they got good margins and he heals quickly.  That sure is a f*#*load of staples!

((Kira)) great news!

I think that those of you who are reading any books about BC are very brave. I know that with BC there are many variables, there are many treatments, the treatments are evolving and we all are different. I know what is necessary about my own case. I trust that there are people out there working on better and more effective treatments. After that  . . .   I don't really want to dwell on it or read about it. Is that living in the land of DeNial or escaping or just carrying on? Whatever, it's the way for me.

The pancreatic cancer that Steve Jobs had, was at the tail end of his pancreas.....with that type you can get more time, and the treatment works better...........Patrick Swayze, Michael Landon, Pavoritti, and most who died within a year had pancreatic cancer at the "head" of the pancreas.............that is deadly..........my husbands was at the same spot , however he was fortunate (if you can call it that) to live 2 years and 9 months....he was young, only 57, but so were most of the other names I mentioned above....................it is a horrible form of cancer (not that there is a good form), and very little hope, when you get it..

Steve Jobs handled his well, and it was a great loss of such a brilliant mind...........It is sad.

Oh I'm so, so sad to hear about Nicki.  She has had such a tough time, and how she managed to continue nursing throughout is just astounding.  I hope she is comfortable and pain-free, and surrounded with the love of her DH and family.

Hi Susie!  I am also sorry we didn't meet up in France--I didn't make any of my dates, actually--but I am glad you had fun.  I know we had a great time.

I don't know Nicki but I am sorry to hear of her situation just as I was saddened to hear about Steve Jobs' passing.  Our lives are so finite already, its especially sad when they are shortened by cancer. 

I scheduled my annual mammo today. . . .I've been playing ostrich about the whole thing which is, I confess, part of the reason I have not been around.  Much nicer to pretend that none of it happened, don't you think?

But.

Today is my 11th wedding anniversary--almost down to the minute actually!    And the fact is, I want to be here for my 22d wedding anniversary and if I made it to 33 years, that wouldn't be so bad either.  So I made my appointment and I took my Vit D and I'm back for the support.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians!  Happy Columbus Day or perhaps better I should say Happy Launch of the Adverse Possession of North America by the Europeans 

And now off to lunch with DH. 

You know after reading thread after thread, I'm most assuredly convinced that cancer is caused by stress.

For myself...two years after my husbands bad heart attack...bloop...there it was. It sounds like so many have had bumps in the road before BC.

Artsee-I'm with you on stress helping to cause breast cancer. Mine appeared almost 2 years after a hideous time with my daughter. Never been so stressed in my life as I was at that time. 

Mary 

I think stress played a significant role in my situation.  I was stressed for years and it culminated the two years before diagnosis.

Of course, have I improved my ability to not get stressed?  NO!  sigh. . . .

susie, is this your normal thunderstorm season?  We are being told by the weather that our winter will be colder and wetter than one might expect--more chances of snow and wind storms--and to prepare for power failures.  I know that the NW has gotten some doozies in the past--it will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

I confess---bringing it all back round to stress--some days I get excited by the idea of a blizzard or power failure because it means I can stay home and sleep. . . .!

3monst - Yes, it's Spring and the start of the wet season - hasn't really been hot enough for thunderstorms - this one started way out west and is moving towards the coast. It's hitting us now - so far so good. I got DH up and cooked him breakfast in case we lose power. Got to go and do the groceries - will wait until it passes of course.

HI everyone,

I haven't been on in a long time.  I read but don't post much.  I hope everyone is doing well. 

The weather in Montreal is beautiful, and the forecast is warm and sunny for Thanksgiving.  What are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving? 

I agree with that stress is a factor when it comes to cancer.  I went through a very traumatic time in the few years before dx.