Opening Up About the End

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The Spring 2009 article, “The Final Journey,” is a masterpiece of compassion, humanity, dignity, and honor. It was a bold feature to publish, as not many publications are brave enough to openly confront the “end stage.” It is a subject that crosses the mind of anyone touched by cancer at least 100 times, and one that few are willing to discuss. I am especially appreciative of Judy Abernathy and her family—what incredible people.

Lucinda Smith
Scottsdale, Arizona

This is the first article I have seen that deals with the end of life and I am so grateful to you for printing it. As I face the same situation, I have wondered what the end would be like, and your article provides me with some idea. My situation is different, but I am lucky to be surrounded by a loving family also. It is a lonely journey, but the presence of family and friends makes it all bearable.

Susanne Crosby
City and state unavailable

I was moved to tears when I read “The Final Journey.” The realistic account was informative, provocative, and sensitive. Without a doubt, an article like this will benefit many patients and their families to engage sooner rather than later when confronted with untreatable metastatic cancer.

John Surprenant
Tampa, Florida

Making Headway

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Thank you for publishing “The Good Cancer.” I was upset and very concerned when, during follow-up, my thyroglobulin levels started creeping up. After a couple years of this, I finally accepted the conclusion that I was simply dealing with a chronic condition. Explaining that to some of the people in my local Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association support group has helped them, too. I was delighted to read in the article that Dr. Steven Sherman is expecting that we will eventually treat the more difficult medullary malignancies as chronic conditions.

Joel Amromin
Chatsworth, California

Thank you for writing about thyroid cancer in the Spring issue. There is not enough information available for thyroid cancer, especially in children, even though thyroid cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers in the U.S. Keep up the great work and thanks again.

Stephanie Carper
Trenton, Ohio

Dating Dilemma

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As a woman and a breast cancer survivor trying to live my life to its fullest, and dealing with a recurrence of cancer, I too have faced the dating question Jasan Zimmerman put forth in “When Do I Tell Her?” I have found that what works for me is that I have to be totally honest about the cancer. What I am learning is that the man I need in my life at this point in time needs to be able to focus both of us away from my diagnosis and let me be a regular person.

Cindy Driscoll
Fitchburg, Wisconsin

 

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