Cancer Schmancer

No, it still hasn't hit me, even after my third treatment, that I have it... the big "C"... b-b-b-b-breast cancer. I expected cancer to hit me sometime in my life, sure. I thought by the time I was 60, probably they'd find a polyp and have to hang me upside down by it and maybe shake out a few beer bottles. I watch enough t.v. health shows to know that this is in fact possible.

I religiously watch a show that begins, "The most incredible species on the planet... is human" and has all sorts of genetic mutations, amazing survival stories from bizarre illnesses & drug reactions, reconstructive surgeries, and I'm sure there's an episode in there on beer bottles. I'm hoping my sick obsession does not have ill-effect on my recovery, as it would seem a being that spent so much of her time gawking unsympathetically at the misfortunes of others, would be due her share of deformity. Karma, there is still time. I'm ready for you.

Actually, besides a sick curiosity, I also am seeking the knowledge one can glean from graphic internet pages about possible diseases, surgeries and their outcomes. I not only want to prepare myself for the possible future, but have access to countless other victims of lifealtering diseases to compare and comfort myself, that at the very least, I am not nearly as bad off and they seem to be carrying on well enough, as well as a faceless picture can emote.

I guess it was a NOVA program "Ghost in Your Genes" that was most informative on any genetic causes to my disease. Besides having a gene that predisposes a person for one condition or another, there are genetic markers, carbon molecules that attach to DNA strands in a cell and affect which genes are active. For cancer patients, these genetic markers could have developed from chemical exposure, artificial hormones, smoking, and the almighty bottle. Even caffiene is a no-no. But thanks to modern medicine, these genetic markers that can be passed down from generation to non-asbestos exposed generations, can be removed somewhat successfully with some experimental treatments.

At least one or two of my medications will involve some kind of trick on the body through ingested hormones and chemical confusion. Luckily, neither of these, nor any other treatment to enter my system, is enough to convince me that I have cancer and, especially, not anything that would cause me to say the word, b-b-breast. That kind of talk is only necessary when someone is sick, which I am not. Don't let the tubes and lack of energy fool you.



http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/3413_genes.html


http://health.discovery.com/