no such thing as a bad day

It's pouring rain outside and I just woke up, because of a fortuitously canceled research team meeting. It's a good day to stay in bed under the covers. Unfortunately, as a graduate student, I don't really have that option today. And considering I stayed in bed until 11:30, that's way more than enough. I do like the sound of rain, though. 

Today is the 4 year cancer anniversary of someone important in my life, and I just wanted to acknowledge that, because she is doing wonderfully today, and I feel like we need more attention paid to these stories. It's also important to me because it was her breast cancer that propelled me back into studying oncology and, though no one could have imagined at the time, given my life its ultimate focus and goal. When I look back, I was terrified at the time, but eventually that fear gave way to action and learning, which fed into becoming an advocate and activist in the cancer community. 

I was reading the NY Times this morning online and looking back in the archives, and there is a book by Hamilton Jordan, Jimmy Carter's former Chief of Staff, who struggled with four different types of cancer. He wrote a book, "No Such Thing as a Bad Day", and in it, he had "Top 10 Tips for Cancer Patients". I'd like to write them here.

#1: Be an active partner in the medical decisions that are made about your life.

#2: Seek and know the truth about your illness, and prognosis.

#3: Get a second opinion. 

#4: Determine upfront how broad or narrow your physician's experience is. 

#5: If you have a poor prognosis, or rare form of cancer, try to get to a center of excellence. 

#6: Do not allow your caregivers to project their values, goals, and expectations onto you.

#7: Understand the economics of cancer care. 

#8: Ultimately, find a doctor that you trust and believe in. 

#9: Treat your mind as well as your body.

#10: Your attitude and beliefs are your most powerful weapon against cancer.