Letters

Too Young for Cancer

Thank you so much for your interview about childhood cancer survivors with Dr. Anna T. Meadows (Winter 2007). My daughter completed three years of treatment for leukemia at the age of 6. She is 10 now and cancer-free. Your Q&A with Dr. Meadows provided me with some helpful resources to turn to for more information about what my child may face in the future. Thank you for making me feel that there are people (researchers, doctors, etc.) who realize that my child’s need for medical treatment didn’t end with the last dose of chemotherapy.

Christine Dodson | Macon, Georgia

San Antonio Coverage

Every year when I return from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, I wonder if the media were actually in the same room when I read their reports, rife with erroneous information, misinterpretations of the science, and misleading headlines. Congratulations to CURE and Heal for timely, accurate and informative coverage of this symposium!

Marjorie Gallece | Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas | Austin, Texas

Cancer in the Comics

Thank you for your recent article “The Not-So-Funny Pages” (Winter 2007). Many of our participants turned daily to the comic section in our local paper to follow Lisa’s journey and took comfort in the similarities to their own. One of the strips even included a depiction of The Gathering Place at a time when Lisa sought support. Several weeks ago, the strip’s creator and illustrator, Tom Batiuk, spoke to our participants about the impetus for the story line. The outpouring was so strong that we had to close registration more than a week in advance with standing-room-only quickly filling up. Thank you again for your attention to this important and creative educational effort and for your recognition of Tom Batiuk.

Kristina Austin | The Gathering Place | Cleveland, Ohio

I was excited to receive the Winter 2007 issue of Heal and eager to send it to a friend battling breast cancer — until I read “The Not-So-Funny Pages.” Why include this comic about the death of a woman following the recurrence of her breast cancer in a magazine that is supposed to be about “living well after cancer”? What purpose does it serve other than to evoke fear?

Mary Davis | New Port Richey, Florida

Pregnant After Cancer

I am a two-year survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I too was told that I would probably go through early menopause. It didn’t upset me much because I already had three boys, ages 6, 2 and 6 months — and I was 31 years old. I started my therapy, and one week later became pregnant. I was shocked, scared for my health and the baby’s. Nine months later I delivered a beautiful baby girl who is now a year old and perfectly healthy. I too look at life differently and live passionately [“Take and Give,” Fall 2007]. I also treasure every moment I spend with my kids. I now see myself as a picture of hope for others who are going and have gone through the same trials as me.

Jeanne Prudhomme | Lawtell, La.

LOL - NOT

OK: What Happened to LOL?? Does it still mean “Laughing Out Loud”? “Days of Wine & Chocolate” (Winter 2007) was supposed to be funny? Kinda made me sad. You must have accidentally thrown away reams of funny stories to end up with that.

Dee Helsem | Carrollton, Texas

Editor’s Note: A number of you sent similar notes, and we’ll try harder next time.

Heal Subscription

I’ve just received my last free issue of Heal magazine. I’ve very much enjoyed my free copies, and I thank you so much for sending them. I’ve always found something that has highly interested me. I was, however, very sad to see that the cost of a subscription is $20 for four issues. So my enjoyment comes to an end. While I have been so happy to have this type of material available to me as a cancer survivor, I can’t subscribe at that cost. Thanks for the free ones, and I hope you can make it more affordable.

Jerri Lynn Baker | Oswego, Illinois

Editor’s Note: Unlike CURE, Heal is a paid subscription magazine, but we do periodically offer special discounts.

Letters on Letters

I read the letter from Shelia J. Cohen in San Francisco (“The People No One Writes About,” Letters, Fall 2007). I related to everything she said as I am going through the same ordeal. I am very grateful to my doctor that I am alive and have been in remission for almost four years, but the side effects from the radiation have been numerous. First I got a blood clot, then pneumonia, and then I was diagnosed with radiation pneumonitis. This has done permanent damage to my lungs, which has caused me to be on oxygen almost constantly. I cannot work and I am on Social Security Disability. I was 57 years old when I was diagnosed and started receiving SSD but was not eligible for any other benefits. For the first two years on disability, I had to pay for all my prescriptions, totaling over $600 a month until I was eligible for Medicare Part D. I am unable to pay for all my bills with my SSD check. One month I pay some bills and the next month I pay others. I need electricity for my oxygen and the phone to call 911, which I have done several times. I’m sure there are many more like us out there and we would like to see articles in your magazine about us also.

Judy Roper | Winchester, Virginia

As a woman living with metastatic breast cancer since 2004, I understand Ruthann Evans’ comments (“Chronic Cancer,” Letters, Winter 2007). The 30 percent of patients with primary breast cancer who go on to become metastatic are neither cured nor healed. Nor are they living well after cancer because there is no “after cancer.” We are living with cancer, and we are the ignored population in the cancer community. There is very little out there to support us in learning to live with ongoing cancer treatments and the development of targeted treatments to extend life.

Ellen Moskowitz | Metastatic Breast Cancer Network | New York City

Editor’s Note: As cancer drugs become more effective, many cancer patients live in the limbo you describe. Heal will continue to include information for these survivors in coming issues.

I just received your latest Heal and was reading the letter from Barbara Rascati thanking you for the article about pain management (“Treating Pain,” Letters, Winter 2007). I too, am a “post-mastectomy” pain sufferer. Your article ("Help for Where it Hurts," Fall 2007) was wonderful and gave me such comfort to know I’m not alone. Like the old saying “misery loves company,” I guess I have to admit feeling that way. It’s hard to suffer through something no one else can relate to. Hearing there are others out there who know what you’re going through is just as valuable as any medication you can take for pain. I would love to talk to her and possibly we can get an “On the Net” group together. Pain is an unwelcome companion. I am now four years out of treatment for breast cancer, and, although medications help me function day to day, pain makes life a little more challenging compared with the average person. But, despite that, I’m here, and I wake up in the morning thankful to be looking at another day. Thanks for your magazines. CURE and Heal have been very informative, as well as supportive.

Trish Harrington | Chalfont, Pennsylvania

Editor’s Note: Besides this letter, Heal received others from women who wanted to talk to Ms. Rascati. We have forwarded them to her, hopeful that others who deal with this syndrome can find a community.

WRITE US: E-Mail correspondence to editor@healtoday.com, or write to us at “Letters,” Heal magazine, CURE Media Group, 3102 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 610, Dallas, TX 75219. Please include your full name and hometown. Submissions will be edited for grammar, spelling, length and content.