First Lady Nancy Reagan underwent a routine, screening mammogram on October 5, 1987, which revealed a small mass. The Reagans kept her diagnosis quiet and scheduled her surgery a few weeks later.
I’m an Australian who was diagnosed with a form of head and neck cancer in 2017. 4 surgeries inside my mouth & reconstruction of all my upper mouth & cancer was gone. What I know about Reagan is that he decided on a WAR against cancer & in so doing made a whole lot of language that became “ battle oriented”... win/ loss etc.I will not use those words for anyone including myself. We do our utmost as patients to live taking part in whatever are recommended treatments. We did not or do not “lose the battle despite fighting strongly” when we die. We die from cancer because of how it inhabits our body changing it to the point of death. Amazing hey, what one frightened man’s experience about his wife’s health gave to the cancer community. Not!
This is such a good point, Denyse. The "war" metaphor ignores the PTSD and other significant aftereffects of cancer. It also totally ignores prevention. I never use it with my patients.
I'd heard about her breast cancer diagnosis but had no idea about this aftershock of increased radical mastectomies in the public! Great exploration of the delta behind what is recommended and how that might not always match what is "right" for an individual patient.
Similarly, when I was in practice as a vet, I had to remind myself that everyone has a unique relationship with their animals and may value them differently; just because they wouldn't opt for the same care I would doesn't mean they don't love their pet too
I have metastasised prostate cancer that's in my bones. I have started a cartoon series on living with my cancer called Chemo Freak, on Substack. You may enjoy ot!
I’m an Australian who was diagnosed with a form of head and neck cancer in 2017. 4 surgeries inside my mouth & reconstruction of all my upper mouth & cancer was gone. What I know about Reagan is that he decided on a WAR against cancer & in so doing made a whole lot of language that became “ battle oriented”... win/ loss etc.I will not use those words for anyone including myself. We do our utmost as patients to live taking part in whatever are recommended treatments. We did not or do not “lose the battle despite fighting strongly” when we die. We die from cancer because of how it inhabits our body changing it to the point of death. Amazing hey, what one frightened man’s experience about his wife’s health gave to the cancer community. Not!
This is such a good point, Denyse. The "war" metaphor ignores the PTSD and other significant aftereffects of cancer. It also totally ignores prevention. I never use it with my patients.
This article from a South Korean scientist recently re-examined "The War on Cancer 50 years later." On the second page, he encourages us all to re-examine the war metaphor. There are always casualties of war. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8749321/pdf/jcp-26-4-219.pdf
Thank you so much for your comment. I also hope you have hooked up with @yvonnemcclaren.
Oh yes, we have been friends on line since her diagnosis with HNC too. Thanks so much Stacy
I'd heard about her breast cancer diagnosis but had no idea about this aftershock of increased radical mastectomies in the public! Great exploration of the delta behind what is recommended and how that might not always match what is "right" for an individual patient.
Similarly, when I was in practice as a vet, I had to remind myself that everyone has a unique relationship with their animals and may value them differently; just because they wouldn't opt for the same care I would doesn't mean they don't love their pet too
Thanks for sharing such a medical-historical event. You are doing great work, Stacy!
Thanks, Brock!
I have metastasised prostate cancer that's in my bones. I have started a cartoon series on living with my cancer called Chemo Freak, on Substack. You may enjoy ot!