Cancer Survivorship

The Silent Killer:  It is so easy today with a pill and treatment for every little health concern to believe that we are not at risk for major or life-threatening illness. Even physicians have been lulled into believing at times that there is no reason to be concerned for the patient. That is why it is so important for each of us to become our own, best health advocate. Since we are the ones experiencing the symptoms and recovery time and paying the bills, this makes sense.

Why then, women, would you listen to a physician who tells you that you do not need to have a pap smear every year anymore, because you have never had any problems in that area? Because they are supposed to know better than we do about health issues? Oh no, my friends. Listen to your own body.

During 2009 I began at some indefinable point to feel like I was suffering from a virus or infection that was not going away. I felt tired and irritable, but tests revealed nothing amiss. Several doctors' visits and bouts of antibiotics for sinus infections later, I asked my GP to do a pap smear, because it had been over a year since she had conducted the last one. She said it was unnecessary with no history of female problems, and new guidelines recommended having one every two to three years.

Weeks of nagging little tummy aches, belching, bloating and a smidgen of blood occurred and prompted me to contact my gastroenterologist. He examined me in the office and scheduled a colonoscopy. This had become routine for me to have every few years, so there was no reason for me to feel alarmed. Not until I awoke from the procedure to find my doctor standing away from me and telling me there was something pressing on my colon that probably was causing the bleeding. He told me that he would have the complete report within 24 hours and to be sure to call his office. He left right away and that was unusual. This was on a Thursday, the week before my 58th birthday.

I told my husband that something serious was wrong, because this particular doctor had never been so distant. He always held my hand and talked with me up close and at length about his findings. This time was very different, but my husband did not see it that way. Women, listen to the voice within. Pray to know its meaning and why it needs to be heard. God speaks to us in many ways. So often, we just know that we know what we know!