Posted on 08/16/2010 10:46:29 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob
On 23 April I had a routine colonoscopy, and found out that I had cancer. I knew then I’d have to write this column once I knew the outcome. I had 25 days of chemotherapy, simultaneous with radiation therapy, followed by surgery on 11 August.
The pathology reports came back yesterday. They were, as my surgeon said, ‘the best possible, given the circumstances.” They were clean margins and clean lymph nodes. The margins are the areas all around the site of the surgery. The lymph nodes are where cancer usually spreads first, from its original site.
In laymen’s terms, I am cancer-free. Going in my purpose for this column was, and still is, to save some lives. Three of the most common cancers in America today are colon and prostate cancer for men and breast cancer for women. All three have a common characteristic. They can be often and easily cured if they are detected early.
Let me repeat that, and pardon me for shouting, but THESE CANCERS CAN BE EASILY CURED IF THEY ARE DETECTED EARLY.
What stands in the way of early detection? The tests for these cancers, especially colon and breast, are obnoxious. Everyone winces and shudders when the tests are mentioned. I know.
I felt the same way when a routine examination with no symptoms showing, saved me from colon cancer once before. That one was only pre-cancerous. But it would have developed to the point of killing me years ago, if I had let it go.
After one time at the rodeo, you get cautious. I got routine exams on a routine basis. The readers of my columns are, I know, older and better educated than most. Many of you are woman or men “of a certain age.” Or, you may have risk factors for cancer in your personal or family history.
If there is any reason in your age or risk factors why you should have a routine exam for any of these cancers, set this column aside and make the call. A day or two’s worth of discomfort, yes, and embarrassment, is a small price to pay for a couple decades of not being dead.
I’ve written about my situation as if it was, or had become, a day at the beach. It isn’t and it hasn’t. Chemotherapy and radiation both tear up your systems. When my father died of cancer, forty years ago, both of those treatments were crude, in their infancy, and nearly as harmful as the cancer itself. Today, the reverse is true. Both treatments have been refined, and are used together to shrink the cancer in advance of surgery. That’s exactly what happened in my case.
With the good news I got yesterday, I ought to be in a good mood. Well, there is this gastric tube down my nose that is continuously draining my stomach. That is to compensate for the fact that my colon has not fully awakened from its slumber. And, did I mention that I’ve given up all pain killers to aid in that process?
Try being stitched up down your front like a baseball. Add to that your must cough to clear your lungs, to avoid pneumonia. Then add that I have refused any pain shots. Since 11 August I have eaten nothing but ice, and two cups of apple juice. Life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue.
I am not, however, complaining. As Maurice Chevalier said of old age. “It is fine, considering the alternative.” The alternative is what I came to talk with you about, today. There are people reading this right now, whose lives can be saved, if you get an exam right now.
Let me repeat that, YOUR LIFE MIGHT BE SAVED IF YOU GET A CANCER TEST TODAY.
I expect and hope that about five people will have their lives saved by my relating my experiences in this column. And, yes, the title of this column was a deliberate pun. If this works for you, please let me know.
Note that I haven’t mentioned my doctors or nurses. There were nine doctors, and many more nurses. I am grateful for the excellence of their medical care.
Changing subjects abruptly, part of the goal of my surgery was to be ready on 12 September to March down Constitution Avenue with 38 of my fellow citizens, dressed as the signers of the Constitution. I get to be Ben Franklin. There should be about a million Americans there. I hope the American press might even notice and cover that event.
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About the Author: John Armor practiced before the Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya,yale.edu His latest book, now in print, is on Thomas Paine. www.TheseAreTheTimes.us
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Hope you make the parade, you are marching in the place
of many Americans, myself included.
As one who has had a Radical Node Removal it’s a good thing
you missed it. I have a scar that runs half way around my
body.
No gastric tubes when I had my surgery but all the ice
I could chew, the pain was tremendous until finally
even morphine couldn’t cut it. Eventually a night nurse
asked if I wanted a catheter, slipped it in and the
pain disappeared, all that water was pulling on the
incision. I love doctors but sometimes they can be
quite stupid.
My best to you.
Tet.
Cancer free for thirty years.
They call me a surviver.
Congrats on the outcome! From a fellow “C” survivor. I’m still dealing with Oncologists’ but the outcome has been good for me too.
You're right, early detection is the key to survival. Glad to know you'll be here for many years to come!
Mark
“Let me repeat that, and pardon me for shouting, but THESE CANCERS CAN BE EASILY CURED IF THEY ARE DETECTED EARLY.”
You will get no argument from me. During my routine physical last February my doc found a nodule on my prostate. The biopsy showed it was cancer. Started Proton radiation therapy the end of May, finished the end of July, everything so far looks like a cure, PSA score is half of what it was when I started the proton therapy.
So, everyone who doesn’t do it, get off your ass and see your doc.
Been there, done that Billybob (except for the chemo), ended up gutted like a fish but no bag required! To all you old farts out there - GET THAT COLONOSCOPY SOONEST, the alternative ain’t pretty!!
An echo here - folks, don't dread the colonoscopy. Mine turned out to be a very educational experience courtesy of a brilliant Doc with a wicked sense of humor - she was so good I do believe I could have done it without the Versed.
It's information. Information is good.
Congrats, CBB....
Leni
” Not looking forward to it but it is good to be aware.”
As someone said in an earlier post the worst part of the test is the prep.(it feels good to be “cleaned out” once it’s over). I slept through the test and several hours afterwards! Don’t remember anything about the test to be honest.
My doctor asked me a couple of questions when they rolled me into the testing area and the next thing I know I am waking up at home. My family tells me that I talked to them on the way home but I don’t remember it. Must have been some “good drugs” .
Thrilled to hear you are on the mend. :)
We shared a laugh. I love Dave Berry. Did you read his article about potato guns? If not you have not laughed yet!
I’ve just heard that Congressman Billybob passed away this morning due to complications.
I’ll miss you, John...you were the best.
I hope that’s not true.
Unfortunatley, it is. I’ll have a blog post up about him shortly. Even the local progressive blog has paid tribute to him. http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/08/20/john-armor-died-this-morning/
Just Google Thunder Pig and you’ll find my blog. My post should be up by 3.30pm.
Here is my tribute to Congressman Billybob http://bit.ly/JohnArmor
May he rest in Peace and his reward great.
Very sorry to hear that. RIP John.
Congratulations and Blessings !
Rest in peace, old friend.
Then, if you are 60 years of age or older, you need about 1/4 the normal dose.
Otherwise, this stuff is like the world's most popular sedative and has almost no side effects.
You will be missed.
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