Cancer – Courage and Love By Lorraine Kember Everyday we hear of people dealing with incredible sadness and loss and we wonder; how do they do it? Where do they find the courage the strength? We may even ask ourselves how we would cope under the circumstances. Sadly, we only become aware of the answer, when tragedy visits us and our own lives are thrown into turmoil. When some one we love is diagnosed with a terminal cancer, life as we knew it changes forever. Suddenly we enter a new world, a world filled with helplessness, despair and fear of the unknown. We no longer walk aimlessly around shopping Malls; we walk the Hospital corridors and sit in chemotherapy waiting rooms and are shocked by the number of people afflicted by cancer. We can not help but wonder if one day we too may be a patient and we fear for our own mortality. Sitting in a Chemotherapy ward is an experience not to be forgotten. Cancer has no respect for gender, age or wealth. There are people from every race, color and creed; rich, middle class and poor; and none of this makes the slightest difference. They are all untited in their suffering, fellow human beings on the same sad journey. One can not bear witness to the incredible courage of those who have cancer, without being deeply affected. My husband’s courage in the face of his terminal mesothelioma cancer held me in awe and I decided to do everything within my power to help him. I learned about the stages and symptoms of his disease; the pain he would experience and ways to bring it under control, so that I could work with his doctors, to achieve for him, the best possible quality of life for what ever time he was granted. It was incredibly hard to wake each day with the knowledge that my husband was dying; my anticipatory grief often overwhelmed me but somehow I managed to carry on. One day a lady said to me, “You are such a strong woman.” and I wondered what had made her say that. I didn’t feel strong, I felt like I was breaking. Despite a prognosis of three to nine months, my husband survived for two years and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death. My journey beside him as he traveled to the end of his life, has taught me many things, above all the true meaning of love and the strength of the human spirit. Deep within ourselves there is strength and courage to sustain us in times of personal tragedy. I have come to realize that during my husband’s illness, I was indeed strong. I may have staggered with the burden of my grief but I did manage to help my husband achieve a quality of life few thought possible considering the nature of his disease. And, thanks to the expertise and dedication of the Palliative Care Team, I was able to fulfill my promise to him that he would not die in hospital. His death at home was as loving, sharing and peaceful as anyone could wish for. I have witnessed courage; that of my husband as he battled his disease and of my own as I stood beside him, determined to improve the quality of his life. The knowledge that I was successful in this has brought me much peace. My husband’s illness and death have wounded me deeply yet I have emerged far stronger than ever before and gone on to achieve things I never thought possible. My experience has taught me not to take life for granted and to live each day with thanks for the wonderful gift that it is. I have witnessed death; my awareness of the fragility of life, despite the strongest of wills strengthens my determination to grasp everything life offers me, with both hands.

Do you know someone who is sometimes almost manic but at others seems depressed? Do their moods shift from a “high” to a “low”? If you do, then you might know someone who has what has been diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a serious illness that can affect ones relationships, careers and self. People with bipolar disorder swing between manic moods like exhibiting high energy, becoming very talkative, restless or reckless and becoming depressed exhibiting sadness, crying, lack of energy and sometimes sleep problems. This disorder effects over 2 million people and occurs equally in men and women. Although the onset of bipolar disorder sets in during the early 20s there are often symptoms early in childhood. Some people have found a connection with BPD and ADHD. Because BPD and ADHD symptoms are closely mirrored, BPD is hard to diagnose in young children. It is equally difficult to diagnose adolescents as this is typically a very unbalanced period in our development overall. It is difficult to discern if the adolescent is portraying normal behaviors or if the mood swings are symptoms of BPD. In adults, there are other problems that will most often occur in conjunction with BPD. About 60% of men and women also have problems with drugs or alcohol, seasonal depression and anxiety disorders. Doctors are not completely sure what causes bipolar disorder. There is evidence however, that it is genetic and runs in families. There is also growing evidence that lifestyle and stress are contributors to BPD. Overall, medical experts have come to the conclusion that BPD is related to the chemicals produced by the brain. When the productions levels are higher, people feel a sense of mania. When levels are lower, that is when the lows, or depressions, set in. There are ways to treat BPD. The most popular ways are with mood stabilizing drugs. These, combined with psychotherapy have proven to yield positive results. A few considerations need to be taken into account when taking medication. Children and young adults sometimes have heightened suicidal tendencies while on mood stabilizing drugs. Medications should be used under extreme caution or other measures of control should be put into practice for younger people diagnosed with BPD. Another thing to consider is that even though one may feel as though they have been “cured”, continuous therapy should be used. A medical doctor, teamed with a psychiatrist to prescribe appropriate medications and a psychologist to assess mental health should provide a qualified team to affectively monitor and prevent the illness from worsening. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent BPD, especially since there is so much that needs to be learned about this illness. The best way to prevent or treat BPD is to be familiar with the symptoms. Symptoms of BPD include: – Excessive happiness or hopefulness – Restlessness coupled with a need for less sleep – Distractibility – Racing thoughts – High sex drive – Inflated self-esteem – Tendency to make larger than attainable plans – Tendency to make rash or poor decisions such as the decision to quit a job – Sad, anxious or irritability – Lack of energy – Increased need for sleep – Insomnia – Change in appetite causing weight loss or gain – Thoughts of death or suicide – Suicide attempt If you feel that you, or someone you know, may have BPD, then it is important that you note the severity of the symptoms listed above and how long they last. The most telling symptom of BPD however, is extreme mood swings of extreme highs and lows that do not follow a set pattern. BPD is not an illness that should be self-diagnosed however. If you suspect BPD seek medical attention as soon as possible from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

A common misconception, when it comes to Attention Deficit Disorder, is that it is one in the same with hyperactivity. However, this is far from the truth. While people with ADD may exhibit signs of hyperactivity, it is not an inherent trait of the disorder and often does not occur with sufferers of ADD. Hyperactivity is a general term referring to excessive and/or pathological activeness. This term is often used erroneously for an active person that does not meet the excessive criteria. It is important to understand that all children are active to a certain extent, and that some are even extremely active. However, this does not necessarily constitute hyperactivity. A hyperactive person will seem to be driven to movement, making it almost impossible to sit still. If sitting, they will often fidget or talk excessively as a countermeasure. Hyperactivity is often difficult to assess in adults; however, children are much easier to diagnose. Attention Deficit Disorder, on the other hand, is exhibited by inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and distractibility, but not necessarily hyperactivity. A child that suffers from ADD may have difficulty completing assignments, paying attention, and/or waiting their turn. In order for any of these behaviors to constitute a disorder, they must be extreme, create difficulty in completing daily activities, and not be appropriate behavior for the age group of the child. They must also occur for an extended period of time, at least six months and be identifiable prior to the age of 7 and continue thereafter. However, some children with ADD also have hyperactivity, demonstrated as excessive fidgeting, running, and jumping at inappropriate times. They often seem to have an inability to be still. If a child exhibits hyperactivity in addition to Attention Deficit Disorder, they are often termed “ADHD”: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. While many people assume the term ADD is an antiquated version of ADHD, they actually refer to two different types of disorders. In all, there are typically three variations of ADD or ADHD. These are (1) inattentive type, (2) hyperactive-impulsive type, and (3) combination. Obviously the inattentive type exhibits a difficulty in paying attention and completing activities, but is not hyperactive. These children tend to be more difficult to diagnose. On the other hand, the hyperactive-impulsive type is extremely active and has a difficulty controlling their behavior. Of course, the third type is a combination of the two previous types and displays inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

Did you know that Arthritis is one of the most disabling diseases? It’s true! Arthritis currently affects more than 40 million Americans and that figure is expected to rise to 60 million by the year 2,020. It is imperative that you read this article and find out what this devastating disease is truly about. Arthritis: What it Is Basically, Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. There are currently over 100 forms of Arthritis and remarkably, that number continues to rise. The most common forms of Arthritis include: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout (see our next article, “Symptoms of Arthritis” for more information). Osteoarthritis is the result of degenerative joint disease, or simply “wear and tear” on the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the result of an over active Immune System that results in inflammation. Gout is the oldest form of Arthritis and is the result of too much Uric Acid. The Uric Acid deposits crystals in the joints, leading to “Gouty Arthritis”. The joint pain, inherent to all Arthritis sufferers, is referred to as “Arthralgia”. Not only are the joints susceptible to attack, but the surrounding muscles, tissues, and organs are vulnerable to the effects of Arthritis as well. In fact, Arthritis has been known to attack the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver. Many people mistakenly believe that Arthritis is a disease that only affects the elderly. This simply isn’t the case. Yes it’s true that seniors, especially senior women, are effected the greatest by Osteoarthritis, yet the average age for onset of Arthritis is 47 years old, and sufferers are generally afflicted between the ages of 20-50. Sadly, even infants have been diagnosed with forms of Arthritis. One of the most devastating effects of Arthritis has to be that it is a chronic condition. Arthritis is so weakening that it only grows worse with time. In fact, Arthritis is so detrimental that of the diseases that instill chronic physical disabilities, Arthritis is second only to Heart Disease. The cost of Arthritis is not only measured in the loss of quality of life, but it is also measured by dollars and cents as well. It is estimated that over $150,000 is lost by an individual over the course of a lifetime due to the debilitating effects of Arthritis. This is totaled by lost wages, medical treatments, and the cost of medically based needs and care. The overall conclusion is that Arthritis is a seriously unbearable condition that causes chronic pain and weakness. It does not only affect seniors, but forms of Arthritis also plagues children. There are over 100 forms of Arthritis and all Arthritis sufferers share one thing in common, chronic joint pain. The top three common forms of Arthritis include Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gout. We have seen that Arthritis isn’t cured, but managed. Some steps and treatment plans used by Arthritis sufferers include: · Losing Weight (thereby reducing stress and strain on the joints) · Increasing their Nutritional Intake · Reducing Stress (both physical and emotional) · Participating in Gentle Stress Free Exercises such as Stretching · Using both Hot and Cold Therapies · Protecting Joints by use of Splints and Braces · Drug Therapies · Surgery If you suffer from Arthritis, don’t give up. There are many people who are discovering that with the proper management and health care provisions, they can live better, healthier, and pain free lives. · Stay tuned for the next article in our series on Arthritis, “Symptoms of Arthritis”.