Cancer Articles: Page 1 of 50

This time of year is ideally filled with family and friends getting together and creating memories.

For people that are facing health challenges like being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the holidays can be a challenging time. When your world has been upended and you may not be at home for your usual festivities or you are not feeling the holiday mood, feeling grateful can be hard to do. Expressing gratitude may be even harder. Sometimes it is necessary to dig down deep within yourself to express thankfulness to those that are helping you.

During this time of year there is a lot of effort spent on getting the perfect present, the most thoughtful, the one thing that the person can really use for family and friends. For many of us this adds stress to what can already be a stressful time. Presents don’t have to be shiny and new and perfect, the gift of interacting and strengthening a bond in a relationship can be a much more meaningful present.

We all need to take some time out of this busy holiday season to express our gratitude to people that impact our lives. Many of us spend time and money shopping, decorating, baking – when for many a much more impactful thing would be to stop and thank someone for their kindness. 

Telling someone that you are grateful for their support and presence in your journey can benefit both you and them. Acknowledge someone for listening to you when it would have been easier for them not to take the time.

By making a call, sending a note, text, or e-mail, or even giving a shout out on social media, you have acknowledged the kindness that has been shown. Recognition and acknowledgment can help improve and strengthen your relationships, 

Research has shown that one of the benefits for the person expressing gratitude is greater happiness. Gratitude helps people relish good experiences, improve their health and improve their relationships.

This holiday season, slow down and acknowledge those that enrich our lives in a way that can’t be quantified, and so much more than a perfect present.

Happy Holidays!

Each year at this time we celebrate Thanksgiving. Since the Pilgrims started this tradition it is a time to share and be grateful for our blessings. As Thanksgiving 2021 rapidly approaches, we reflect on what this year’s holiday means to ourselves and our loved ones and to our collective community.  

As we all know, what makes this year different from last year and previous celebrations of Thanksgiving is the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, 2020, was pre-vaccination. A lot of people had small celebrations and stayed home. This year with vaccinations available we take a step closer to what normal used to be.

Thanksgiving traditionally involves family gatherings, turkey dinners, and for some travel to relatives for the celebrations. The gatherings are times that families and friends can reconnect.  Although not all Thanksgiving celebrations and memories are as picture perfect as we would like, they are all our own unique families with our different opinions gathering and interacting.

According to a recent survey from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the mood that most U.S adults described toward Thanksgiving 2021 was “cautious.” 

There are some indicators that Thanksgiving celebrations are getting back to normal. According to recent reports, travel is returning to pre-Pandemic levels. The same poll says that 63% of Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving with the same number of people as they did before the coronavirus pandemic, with 5% saying there will be more people attending their Thanksgiving this year compared to pre-pandemic times. Once people get to their destinations they may find that the hosts for their celebrations are asking about their vaccination status. Another recent survey tells us that half of all Americans plan to inquire about their potential guests’ vaccination status. Covid 19 negative tests will be required by 46% from unvaccinated friends and families.

As we all adjust to the “new normal,” for our Thanksgiving celebrations we celebrate and give thanks for progress that continues to be made in fighting malignant mesothelioma. All of us can take the lessons of the past year and a half and turn them into something positive. Appreciate each other and our relationships. Be thankful!

No matter how you choose to celebrate, stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Time is one of our greatest assets. According to Miriam Webster the meaning is “the thing that is measured as seconds, minutes, hours , days, years, etc.” Time is something we all have, we just don’t know how much. 

Many illnesses threaten our timeline and sometimes force us to look at how we spend our time.  Malignant mesothelioma is bad news, with some options, but still with no cure. Researchers, doctors and scientists continue to push science for more information. When diagnosed with this disease or any other serious illness, looking for a timeline is natural. The question often asked is “how much time do I have?” Although no one can say with certainty, there are averages of time that are based on previous patients. When faced with the knowledge that you have a serious illness and your time may be limited, most want the best of what time is left. The best for one, can be different for the next. 

I met a woman a few months ago, she had undergone a pleural biopsy. She was pretty convinced that she had pleural malignant mesothelioma. Prior to confirmation she told me she would choose wisely what type of treatment she would opt in for – which was ultimately immunotherapy. She has responded positively but has been left with some side effects. Her goal is to move out of her present housing situation and live somewhere easier. Physically, emotionally, and financially she has had to make some tough decisions. She feels as if these changes will give her a better quality of whatever time she has. Fortunately, she has a support system and a plan.

Dealing with terminal illness forces us to ask ourselves, how will we live out our remaining days? Some, if allowed, “live like they are dying.” Receiving a terminal illness as a diagnosis almost always forces one to reflect upon their life, and where and what they would like to do with whatever time remains. 

We all measure time with different clocks. Some mark time by births, weddings, deaths, current events. However you choose to measure time, don’t forget to live it and enjoy it. We know when one is diagnosed with a terminal illness it feels as if time is standing still. Despite whatever time you have left, you are given the opportunity to have many conversations with people . These illnesses allow one to say “I love you”, make amends or share some intimate conversations. 

All of us need to cherish our time  and relationships for time is promised to no one.