Ten Cancer Tips

Hamilton Jordan, Chief of Staff for President Jimmy Carter, died of cancer today at age 63. He had prostate cancer, which was surgically removed, but died of another type of cancer.

Here are 10 tips for cancer patients from his book, No Such Thing as a Bad Day.  It is good stuff to remember for all of us.

Tip No. 1: Be an active partner in the medical decisions that are made about your life.

 

Tip No. 2: Seek and know the truth about your illness, and prognosis.

 

Tip No. 3: Get a second opinion. 

 

Tip No. 4: Determine upfront how broad or narrow your physician's experience is

 

Tip No. 5: If you have a poor prognosis, or a rare form of cancer, try to get to a center of excellence.

 

Tip No. 6: Do not allow your caregivers to project their values, goals, and expectations onto you.

 

Tip No. 7: Understand the economics of cancer care

 

Tip No. 8: Ultimately, find a doctor that you trust and believe in.

 

Tip No. 9: Treat your mind as well as your body.

 

Tip No. 10: Your attitude and beliefs are your most powerful weapon against cancer.

 

Great post Tim, #9 has significant meaning to me, as initially I really let this thing get me down. Both of my parents died with cancer, and I felt like this was the beginning of the end, but with the help from my loving wife and son, I now realize that that is not the case, this is simply the beginning of the rest of my life, and not a day goes by that I am not thankful to be here and cancer free.

---

46 you when diagnosed, now 47
Pre-Op PSA 9.9
1 of 12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3
DaVinci on 9/5/2007
Post-Op Gleason 3+6, Negative Nodes and Margins
Less than 1% of prostate involved with CA
3 Month PSA 0.01, 6 Month PSA 0.01
Incontinence resolved 9/15/2007, one day after cath removal
ED showing significant improvement.
Cialis 5 mg every night.
Success with BiMix

smilingoldcoot said...

Tim

Very Good!!

Might I add item 11?   -- 11.  Stay on Healingwell Forum and accept the support that your fellow cancer mates have  to offer

Richard

I agree wholeheartedly, Richard.  This forum can be a great help  to those with prostate cancer.  Support is invaluable and lets us know we are not alone in this. This forum is a gold mine of experience and strength.