Denise Goldberg's blog

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Bad news, but holding on to hope

Hope and a positive outlook... The real question is how to hold on to that hope in the face of bad (and unwelcome) news. It's not really my news to write about, but it's in my mind, and in my family conversations. And what's in my mind does seem to make its way into my writing. (If you don't want to hear my thoughts, feel free to stop reading now; you certainly won't hurt my feelings.)

My brother was recently diagnosed with colon cancer that has already spread to his liver. That's in spite of following the recommendation to have a colonoscopy every 5 years (due to family history) instead of the 10 year interval that is normally recommended. And Neal had a colonoscopy just 4 years ago. And he's young, 50 as of mid-December. Very scary...

There is good news mixed with the bad though. Dad called Dr. Cohen, the doc who directed his treatment what seems like a very long time ago (is it 10 years ago? I honestly can't remember...). I'm very impressed that he called Neal not once, but twice. He recommended a doc, and through some magic, Neal's treatment will be directed by Dr. Daniel Haller. He is apparently world-renowned and on the leading edge of treating this disease. (Update on 2/16/06: Dr. Haller has apparently disappeared, but Neal has decided to stay at the University of Pennsylvania for treatment. That is one of the two hospitals in the Philadelphia area that Dr. Cohen recommended as tops in cancer treatment. Chemo starts on 2/17, and the waiting and hoping continues...)

Bad news keeps jumping back in front of my eyes though; perhaps I should take the hint delivered to my brother by his PCP - stay off of the web. My real question is, how can I be supportive? Is there any way that I can help, short of being here to listen? How do you hold on to hope?

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