They say it takes a village to raise a child. I'd say that when someone in the village gets cancer, it affects the entire village. It affects everyone we hold dear. Life is precious.
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For many Americans, Thanksgiving is food, family and football. The meaning of the holiday, giving thanks, sometimes slips right by. I know I haven't always stopped to feel gratitude as much as I could. This year I'm particularly thankful for some things that I'd like to share with you.
Eight months ago my wife, Sharon, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I've told patients for years that cancer is the scariest word in the English language. But as the spouse, it hit me much harder than the empathy I always provide to patients. Cancer changes your status in life from being well to being a survivor, that new dimension the American Cancer Society calls any person with a diagnosis of cancer who is living. It doesn't mean cured or in remission. It means just what is says... surviving.
Over the past eight months many things have changed, and finally the future is starting to look brighter. Despite the many challenges, I've learned some things that aren't taught well in medical books and I've reinforced some things I know intellectually but now know first-hand. I hope these lessons are useful to you if you are one of your loved ones faces the all-too-prevalent cancer.
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