Cancer Care

Maybe I’m the wrong ex-patient to be telling you this: Experimental surgery erased Stage III colon cancer from my shell-shocked body six years ago. But even I’ve got to admit that all is not well in America’s operating rooms: At least 12,000 Americans die each year from unnecessary surgery, according to a Journal of the American Medical Association report. And tens of thousands more suffer complications.
(more…)

NEW YORK Diane Glass — the liberal half of the point-counterpoint “Woman to Woman” column — is leaving the feature as she battles stage four bile duct cancer, announced Universal Press Syndicate.

“This week’s column is a special farewell written by Diane with the help of her sister Janet,” Universal said in a statement. “‘Woman to Woman’ will then take a one-week hiatus, after which columnist Shaunti Feldhahn will square off with a new contributor, in a column for use Aug. 12.”
(more…)

I will be the first to admit that I don’t always understand why God allows bad things to happen to good people, although I know that He promises to “work all things together for the good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I honestly believe that in my heart to be true even when it hits hard personally.
(more…)

Chicago, IL (AHN) - A startling new discovery has found that too much lowering of bad, or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, one of the top strategies for preventing heart disease, can put many at the risk of cancer.

The authors of the study, published in the July 31, 2007, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), based their conclusions on nearly 23 studies involving statin drugs such as Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor which lower cholesterol. More than 41,000 patients participated in the trials.
(more…)

OVARIAN cysts are among the most frequent tumours in a woman’s body. It is believed that probably every woman at one time or the other has had a small cyst on the ovary which may disappear spontaneously.

These are of no particular consequences but when an ovarian cyst becomes large and causes distension of the abdomen and pressure on organs like bladder or rectum, then there should be no hesitation in removing it. Cancer may sometimes develop in the wall of an ovarian cyst, and may then spread to other nearby organs, leading to the obstruction of the bowel. Although ovarian cysts are usually benign, but most doctors feel that it should be removed by surgery without any delay.
(more…)

AN ALSTON woman whose husband died from asbestos related cancer has launched a legal battle for compensation of up to £150,000.

Robert Stewart, 81, died from malignant mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissues surrounding his lungs or abdomen, according to a writ issued in London’s High Court.
(more…)

His hair, combed straight back, is whiter and sparser now, and the creases in his face are more pronounced.

But Miles Lord hasn’t lost any of his old fire.

At 87, he’s still going after Minnesota’s steel and taconite industry, just as he did 33 years ago when, as a federal judge, he issued a landmark environmental ruling against the old Reserve Mining Co.
(more…)

Retired asbestos moulder William Adams died from long-term exposure to the deadly mineral during his working life at a factory near Stroud, a coroner has ruled.Mr Adams, 85, who spent his career shaping asbestos at the Fibrecrete plant in Chalford, had inhaled so much of the fibrous material that it spawned the rare cancer, malignant mesothelioma, in the lung lining.

Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease after hearing that Mr Adams died of the asbestos-related cancer.

Mr Adams’ daughter, Beryl Bullock, told the hearing, at Cirencester Register Office, that her father worked as an asbestos moulder for Fibrecrete between 1948 and 1970.

“He said he used to make sheet boards from blue asbestos and that the workers wore no protective clothing,” she said. “The dangers weren’t known at that time.”

When he began to suffer breathing difficulties, the family were not shocked when suspected malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed.

“We knew people who worked with him who had become affected by the disease, so it was not too much of a surprise,” she said.

Mr Adams, of The Glebe, Sapperton, died on March 21 this year at Cirencester Hospital, where he was receiving palliative care.

Pathologist, Dr Richard Bryan, said tests found that his lungs contained on average 529 asbestos fibres per gramme of dry lung tissue.

“That shows significant occupational exposure,” he said.

He died from pneumonia caused by the malignant mesothelioma tumour, which is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.

Mr Crickmore said: “I have yet to see a case of malignant mesothelioma without asbestos exposure.

“In a countryside setting such as Gloucestershire, that amount of fibres is far higher than you would expect to see.

“I am satisfied that this man died as a result of being exposed to asbestos during the course of his employment.”

source : www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk

Sandy Shmaryahu admires her newly planted garden in Sharon and knows that “it is happy,” as is she. Shmaryahu now has a beautiful haven where she can escape the world of doctors, hospitals and sickness to experience the calming effects of nature.

This is what Roberta Dehman Hershon had in mind when she began Hope in Bloom, the non-profit charity that plants gardens free of charge at the homes of Massachusetts’ women and men undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

According to Hershon, each life-affirming indoor or outdoor oasis or landscaped patio will be tailored to a recipient’s specific situation and lifestyle.

“They are places where those struggling with the emotional aspects and harsh realities of breast cancer can find comfort,” said Hershon, who grew up in Sharon with Beverly Eisenberg, a fellow gardener and the inspiration for Hope in Bloom. Eisenberg lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005.

Together, Hershon and Eisenberg spent hours discussing plants and digging in the dirt. When Eisenberg could no longer tend her own garden, friends like Hershon and Marcel Perella of Sharon, kept her house fragrant with fresh cut flowers.

“Flowers bolstered her spirits,” said Hershon, who chose the name Hope in Bloom based on Lady Bird Johnson’s statement, “Where flowers bloom, there is hope.”

The program kicked off at the Deerfield Road home of Shmaryahu on July 11. Jim Zoppo of Sharon-View Nursery and Tim Ramey from Horticultural Creations in Taunton collaborated on the design and installation.

“Plants bring so much peace and beauty,” said Ramey, a Massachusetts’ certified arborist, who worked with Shmaryahu to create a perennial garden that will grow lush with color as the years pass.

Zoppo, whose wife Sandy is a breast cancer survivor, provided the labor and the majority of materials. “It makes me proud when people have an awareness of the plight of others.”

Susan Farmer of Jamaica Plain, also a recipient of a Hope in Bloom garden, appreciated how respectful the 30 volunteers were of her and her family. “People of all ages were planting and embracing a lovely experience,” said Farmer.

New England Cable Network News had their cameras rolling as Farmer’s yard was transformed into a colorful, sanctuary. The makeover will be shown on NECN’s New England Dream House in September.

“Roberta is intense and focused and has warmth and compassion,” said Farmer. “Communication is her skill and she surrounds herself with people who are just as sincere and giving as she.”

Searching for support, Hershon approached Macy’s Chestnut Hill manager Craig Davis, with amazing results: a shopping day on October 13, benefiting Hope in Bloom. Anyone can buy a discount coupon for $5, and receive 20 percent off purchases made that day anywhere in the country.

“I know that this program is making a difference,” said Hershon. “My desire is to expand it to other parts of the country.” Hershon sews the seeds of gardens that heal. “The goal is to watch them grow and see how they blossom.”

source : www.townonline.com

Editor’s note: This is an occasional feature in the South Valley Bee in which we profile members of our various communities. We hope readers will provide suggestions for possible profiles, and while we are at it, a name for the feature. Please send those suggestions to southvalley@fresnobee.com or call (559) 622-2420 or fax to (559) 733-1825.

VISALIA — Believing one man can make a difference, Ralph “Sonny” Arbitelle said he is ready to prove it.

“I used to think one person could not make much of a difference. But I was wrong,” Arbitelle said. “You don’t have to live a long time to do something and leave a legacy.”

Arbitelle, who turned 75 on Saturday, will be making a 7,500-mile round-trip motorcycle journey from California to Connecticut. He plans to raise significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, while celebrating breast cancer survival and honoring those who have lost their battle to the disease.
(more…)