Archive for May, 2007
Cancer: A love hate disease part 2
Hal’s health: Thankfully the radiation seems to be helping,my back is feeling better each day.Yea God!
Today we are going to continue our series,cancer, A love hate disease.Thanks for joining us.
I could go into many other stories in my business as well as my personal life.I think that everything that happens to us God allows to happen for one of three reasons:
1. help us learn
2. help us prepare for the future
3. increase our faith.
You may be asking yourself how Hal Wilson a 5 year high school graduate who lives in Nashville, TN married for 43 years to Martha (Dickie) with 3 wonderful grown children has anything to do with cancer. I sometimes wonder the same thing.
In this short article on cancer, a love/hate relationship, I would like to share with you some of my personal insights into the world of medically incurable cancer with a less than stellar prognosis.
Rewind to Sept 2006. My former oncologist at Vanderbilt had his secretary call me on my cell phone to inform me that I had just been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Fortunately I was in my office rather than driving 75 MPH down the interstate. This bit of news put me into a state of shock.
Since that fateful morning, many things have occurred in my life. To summarize, in mid-Sept 2006 I had an operation on my left arm (humerous) to remove cancer growth. During this procedure the surgical team installed a steel plate to strengthen the arm where the cancer had eaten through. Next came the radiation to hopefully kill the cells around the cancerous arm. During this period, we also received my diagnosis: Stage 4 kidney cancer (which means incurable by medical methods). Also after many tests, MRI, CT, bone scan, xrays and others I can’t remember, I found out the cancer had spread to my spine, shoulders, right hip and possibly my left knee.
In Oct. 2006, I had my left kidney removed by Sam Chang MD at Vandy. ( a delightful person). Shortly after that for a multitude of reasons, I transferred my medical care to TN Oncology at St Thomas. Where we are today and very pleased with the care.
My current therapy: daily chemo (oral), every 2 weeks I receive an infusion of Avastin to slow the growth of the tumors and once a month an infusion of Zometa which strenghtens the bones. Currently I am receiving radiation on an enlarged tumor pushing against my spine and physical therapy 3 days a week. I also take pain pills 6 times a day. I have always said this is a very inconvenient disease.
I have seen how each individual handles cancer differently:
1. some people get really mad at God. I don’t know who nonbeliever get mad at?
2. other people take it in stride
3. other people retreat into a cocoon believing they will never emerge a beautiful butterfly
4. some people become resentful towards everybody and everything
5. some people fight to get better
6. some people just give up
7. some people keep their disease to themselves
8. some people share their disease with others
9. cancer makes some people negative
10. if viewed properly, I think that even with cancer can be a happy positive human being.
Later this week we will continue with the last installment of our series assuming no more computer glitches like we have had this week.
God bless each of you and your families.Hal
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