An Open Letter

If you are reading this we probably have something in common - cancer.

I think the picture representing stormy weather is appropriate because it is sort of the place we find ourselves when we are dealing with cancer or some other storm.

I am a cancer patient. The hospitals and oncologist offices are filled with us. The obituaries list "after a valiant fight with cancer". It seems that almost everyone knows somebody with cancer. I think we need to be taught about survival techniques. I have some ideas to share although I don't know a lot about the disease. Sometimes, though, I think I know something about surviving it. Then, on the other hand, perhaps, I'm just lucky.

I had colon cancer with metastasis to both lobes of the liver. The operating surgeon told me that statistically I had six months to two years to live; he told the family I had four to six months, closer to four. The oncologist told me that I was going to die; I was not a candidate for surgery; I was not a candidate for transplant; they could keep me alive for a short while with chemotherapy but I was still going to die. A second opinion gave me only four months to live. Those predications were made between December, 1996 and February, 1997.

Later, the family was told, "Maybe three weeks."

Much has happened between then and now.

I believe in surgery, pharmaceuticals and developing our own strategies for survival.

I suggest that we don't necessarily have to be a statistic because some of that is up to us. I believe the medical folks treat us for the disease but they don't teach us how to survive. We must learn some of that for ourselves.

I still visit the oncologist. I still have scans. I am still a cancer patient.

I hope this website will give the visitors hope and ideas. I believe we do have a right to live.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Bob Vandegrift