Terminal Cancerr

"Tom and Geri Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I just came across this fine group.
>
> For several months,  I mistakenly thought my stomach pain was being
> caused by the Codeine Tynol I had been prescribed, for cluster
> headaches.  Several weeks ago, the stomach pain became so severe it felt
> like heart attacks. Last Tues. while at  the V.A. Hospital in W. Palm
> Beach seeing the Neoroligist about my headaches, he witnessed the attack
> and sent me down to the Emergency Room where, after x-rays etc., they
> determined it was severe gas pain and prescribed a GasX product. (duh!)
> Then, last week, while there for another Appointment with the
> Neurologist,  he sent me to Radiology where they saw something
> "suspicious" and had me come back (21/2 hr. drive) the next morning for
> further "tests".  Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised that it
> was a complete Upper G.I., putting me under, running a camera down my
> stomach, taking a biopsy etc. etc..  Needless to say, I was in shock.
> when I was in Recovery 2 hours later, and the Dr. came in and announced,
> "Sorry, --- you have stomach cancer" (of the eusphasus?). Showed us the
> pix of the "nasty" lesion and made an Appointment for this coming Tues.,
> for me to come in to Hemotology/Annology to find it's phase and if it
> has spread, to determine treatment. I'm afraid now and dread the thought
> of hearing those words, "IF WE WOULD HAVE ONLY CAUGHT IT SOONER".
> Gulp!!!!!!!
> Thanks,
> Tom
>
> TOM and GERI in SUNNY Florida

I sometimes think nobody is helped when doctors say thimgs like 'if onlywe'd
caught it sooner'
Are they trying to salve their concience for not being able to cure the
disease? Are they trying to make the patient feel guilty for not self
diagnosing?
It's a bit like saying " I wouldn't have any money problems if I was rich."
Life just isn't like that, you have to deal with what IS not how we would
like it to be.
Unless you are really lucky or part of a screening programme cancers have
usually been growing for months or even years before they come to our
notice. Also catching them early gives you a better chance of a cure, it
doesn't guarantee a cure. Knowing about an incurable cancer a year or so
before it is going to cause any problems is not going to improve a person's
quality of life one iota, quite the reverse. No, I'm not advocating burying
one's head in the sand but it does have it's attraction.
MIKE