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So you think you've got it bad

You never really appreciate how fortunate you are, until you experience misfortune yourself, or you learn about the misfortunes of others.

I spent the other day going through a number of patient blogs on the internet.

I started when I came across They call me Galvez, which is about a 31 year old who had a brain tumor, and wrote a book about his experiences.

Then I came across The Journal of a Prize Fighter, about Duane Baily-Castro who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease (HD) in 2003 and had relapsed in 2005, and now is pondering the possibility of a transplant.

I reviewed a few more, until I got to a particularly depressing one about a 22 year old from Redondo Beach, CA, also diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease (HD) about 5 years ago, and had already relapsed for a third time, and has since died on May 7th of this year.

At that point I stopped searching. It was starting to get too depressing. :(

The latter two were particularly depressing, because HD is supposed to have a much better prognosis than Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL), and is typically considered curable. (So what does that all mean for those of us with, what are considered, incurable cancers?)

Now I knew there were a lot of sick people out there, and I know how fortunate I have been, but I just thought a reality check for everyone else was in order.

So if you think your down on your luck, just try searching and reading a few cancer survivor blogs, and you'll either feel more depressed, like I did, or you'll realize just how lucky you are.

You might start with the ones I've linked to above, or the ones listed on the right sidebar of my blog.

Editor's note: Title was changed from "Too many sick people"
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Comments

Becky said…
Geez louise, you weren't lying when you said those blogs were depressing. They looked younger than my kids.

So, why would you want to be even more depressed?

I saw a billboard the other day and it said

"If you think you have nothing to be thankful for, check your pulse."

And when you are feeling down you know my blog is good for a laugh or at least some knitting tips.
9:26 AM
Duane Bailey-Castro said…
Hey Marc,

Thanks for commenting on my blog. I'll be sure to check with my doctor about what the different ratios mean, but
I think it's simply a measurement of the degree of the HLA analysis. So, 12/12 is more detailed than 6/6.

I also checked your blog, which is really great. I read several of your most recent posts and it's great to see others participating in the growing community of cancer bloggers. Your perspective and those of others can make a meaningful influence on patients and their families. I'll be sure to keep up with your blog now.

Wishing you continued strength and happiness,
Duane
http://journalofaprizefighter.blogspot.com
11:51 AM
Mike Foxworth said…
Marc,

Boy, you are a prolific writer and researcher. Thanks for providing the information for MCL patients and others who "tune in" to this topic. Yes, cancer and disease can be depressing, but there are stories of hope and courage in the face of illness. Let's keep all of these stories alive. -- Mike
3:51 AM
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