As a cancer survivor myself I am all too aware that anyone can get cancer, often when they least expect it and even when they feel fit and healthy. It happened to me, so I should know. I was misdiagnosed for two years before insisting on an x-ray and a second opinion. That insistence saved my leg, and my life.
When I was diagnosed with a very rare primary bone cancer in 1995, there was little information available for me to read. The internet was relatively new and there were no information on Chondrosarcoma to be found on it. I travelled to London to Foyle’s bookshop (reputedly the best in the UK then) but there were no books available either. It was a scarey and lonely time. Ignorance is frightening - because you always imagine the worst. I had never heard of Chondrosarcoma and no one I knew had ever heard of Chondrosarcoma either. I didn’t know what questions to ask. I wasn’t able to do research and find out more - because there was no information available then. I am so glad it has changed for patients today.
These days there is a wealth of information and support out there on the internet, available to help you. During Cancer Awareness month I will be giving useful website addresses, and advice and tips for Cancer patients and their families. If you have any tips or recommendations of useful cancer websites, do add them in the comments section and I will post them.
Today’s Web Sites:
Cancer Back Up: www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Relief: www.macmillan.org.uk
The Lavender Trust - for young women with breast cancer
Today’s Top Tips:
If you have access to the internet, research your particular type of cancer. Knowledge is power and knowing what questions to ask about your treatment options is crucial.
Before you go to an appointment with a surgeon or oncologist - write down all the questions you want to ask. take the list with you, don’t rely on remembering them when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Take a family member or friend with you for your appointment, so they can make notes on the answers to your questions while you concentrate on what is being said at the time.
Today’s Top Blog:
A young woman’s blog on Breast Cancer survival.
Today’s Remembrance:
My dearest and best friend Gilly, who died of malignant melanoma in 1992. “To live in the hearts of those you love is not to die.”
PS: Would you consider joining me, by blogging on cancer awareness during September? The more of us that join in, the more awareness there will be. Do comment below to tell me if you’re joining in, then I can add a link to your site. You don’t need to have had cancer to help raise awareness - almost everyone knows someone who has had, or has got cancer.
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