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I apologize for not blogging as often as I promised. I spent the weekend helping one of my cousins and her family pack and get ready to move. This is my cousin that came out clear of thyroid cancer. She had three nodules, but all of them were very small and the doctor was not concerned. So, she is being followed on a yearly basis.
Now, onto the fun stuff.
The 'Stupid Cancer' Show, an online radio show hosted by the 'I'm Too Young For This!' Cancer Foundation, came back on the air tonight after their month hiatus/vacation. The show's theme tonight was StandUp2Cancer, in celebration of their second annual TV concert broadcast this Friday, September 10th at 8pm EST/7pm CT on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX (You should check your local listings and watch it). Laura Ziskin, Co-Founder of SU2C, was on the show tonight, along with Ethan Zohn, Survivor: Africa winner, and Leonard Sender, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine and Director of Clinical Oncology Services. Several topics were discussed, but one thing that hit me in particular was something Laura said. Below is her quote:
"My daughter is 27...we were actually having a conversation with one of her friends, a young man, who said, 'I'm so blown away by the statistics...I have a brother, and I think one of us is going to get cancer, statistically, and I'm just so blown away by that...'"
Right when that was spoken, shivers went through my spine. Watch the SU2C PSA located here, and you'll see why. It's frightening, really. 1 in 2 men? 1 in 3 women? Oy, vey! But, if you look at those odds, and you look at my family, well...we don't exactly follow the rules, do we? If you look at my direct line, it's my mother, my sister, and me. All three of us have had cancer. My sister, however, has had three different cancers. Three. If you look at my aunt's line, it's my aunt Rea, then her daughters Diana, Jeanne, and Melissa. Melissa was the 1 in 3. But, who knows what could happen. Since it runs in our family, our odds spike.
That really leaves that statistic out in the dust. The odds for our loved ones in my family are 50%. It frightens me beyond comprehension that in my younger cousins' lifetimes, they could all get this disease. Our doctors have recommended them all to be given ultrasounds regularly as soon as they hit puberty. Evan and Adrianna, the oldest of the cousins after me and my brother, have hit puberty. Soon enough, they will be getting their ultrasounds. And, then and only then, will time begin to tell.
This is why I do this. This is what I think about every single day of my life. Cancer has changed me, changed my entire outlook on my life and every other life directly affected by my own. Sure, this isn't my fault, but I did begin this cycle, and I want it to stop. I don't post because I want to spread my feelings and make people feel sorry for me and my family. I post because I want you (yes, you, dear) to be aware of your body and aware of what's around you. Cancer is no joke, and it certainly does not discriminate.
As always, I wish you love, happiness, and -- most importantly -- good health.
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