Cancer is a big word with numerous outcomes...

[Carla Cryptic]

Well, it's the end of September 2013 and I am just getting back here (to post a photo of my mail carrier in the 'local postal person' group).  Life just gets more and more complicated at times.  My husband got diagnosed with (luckily!) very early stages of prostate cancer a few months ago and that has taken a lot of time for research to decide what treatments, if any, he wants to undergo and, frankly, just to get our heads around it.  We've been told that his kind of prostate cancer is so slow growing and microscopic at this point so he doesn't really have to have any treatment right away.  They are doing something with him called 'active surveillance' which means testing PSA every 6 months and probably another biopsy in a year.  If all goes well, the soonest he'd have to deal with radiation treatments would be in 2 or more years.  That's a relief in one way but I know it's hard for him to know there is cancer in his body somewhere growing, even if it's very slowly!  Since this happened, we have learned how many men around us in every part of our lives has had prostate cancer!  It's amazing and seems to partly be because we tend to live so much longer now and partly because of chemicals/radiation/etc. in the air, water, and land.  Anyway, in solidarity with all of my mail art friends living with various cancers, I thought I'd mention it.  At least we who are still alive are living with it!  As the oncologist we talked to reminded us, there are many more people living with cancer than dying from it, something we don't usually realize.  We all remember those of our friends and families who haven't survived cancer, also, and they are not forgotten.  Hugs to all of us.

xox

Carla

[Carla Cryptic]

Thanks to all of you for your responses! 

I will tell Graham about possibly talking to an amchi, Erni - I have a background which includes Chinese medicine and I have also recommended that to him.

Val - I'm glad to hear your treatment went well!  I so agree that staying calm and avoiding stress and worry are very important.  As you say, balance is key.

Ruud - yes!  We must live life to the fullest and see all of its beauty - that's what balances out the dark times and fears.  And, besides, we have the capability, so why not use it?  Sometimes people get caught up in the routine things and miss the momentous ones.

Susan, Gin, and Amy - thank you and it's much appreciated.

[Ruud Janssen]

Hi Carla,

Hope you and you husband get through this. Yes, life has it's strange paths we have to take. We need to make it beautiful and live it.

Ruud

[Susan McAllister]

Carla, I am so sorry to hear about Graham's illness. I'll be thinking about you both.

[Valentine Mark Herman]

My thoughts are with you and your husband. I had cancer a while back, but came through the treatment OK. In my experience the best things you can do to survive are keep calm, maintain a sense of balance, don't worry (it will make your husband's worry worse), follow the Dr's advice, and enjoy, really enjoy, life. Bestest, Val

[Amy Irwen]

Glad to hear it was found at a very early stage. Hang in and be diligent...
Hugs to you and the hubby!