The Cancer Page
http://www.cancerpage.com

From leukemia to breast cancer to skin cancer, this ultra comprehensive site is a tremendous resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about cancer. It provides the latest information, news, and research relating to cancer prevention, detection, and treatments. A glossary demystifies medical terms with easy-to-understand explanations. An extensive cancer FAQ answers most general questions. But if you can't find an answer there, just go to the Ask a Nurse feature, which lets you email a cancer-related question to a certified Oncology nurse, who will reply within 24 hours. This site also serves as an online community for cancer survivors linked by chat rooms and message boards.

Beyond Death
Submitted by Sandy Uhler

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side of the door there came the sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness."

Paget's Disease
Submitted by Karen

This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureola. It appeared as a rash which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was.

My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me so I went to my doctor for that. Sometimes it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't really bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak.

They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous. Now I suspect there are not many women out there who know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureola can be breast cancer.

What are the symptoms?
Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureola. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.

The symptoms include:
1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn. ( As I stated mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side).

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureola area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is affected.

How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts done immediately Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on. They will take a sample of your breast tissue in that area to test for cancer. If the cancer is only in the nipple and not in the breast, your doctor may recommend just removing the nipple and surrounding tissue or suggest radiation treatments. Had my doctor caught mine right away, instead of flaking it off as dermatitis, perhaps they could of saved my breast, and it wouldn't have gone to my lymph nodes.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your friends as possible; it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed in the beginning as breast cancer and treated right away, perhaps it would not have spread...

I did try to spread the word through Rosie O'Donnell show on breast cancer awareness, but it failed to trigger importance enough to announce on her show last year. This is sad as woman are not aware of Paget's disease.

If by passing this around on the e-mail, we can make others aware of it, and it's potential danger we are helping women everywhere.

Please, if you can, take a moment to cut and paste this information into an e-mail and share it with a friend. It only takes a moment yet the results could save a life.

God Knows...
Submitted by Bonnie

The reason I'm writing is because I have received some disturbing news. While going for a routine breast exam...my doctor found a lump. I went for a mammogram...then a spot compression mammogram and sonogram. Well, the dreaded happened: they found not one, but two tumors. I now have to go for a biopsy. They are very concerned because of the darkness of the tumors.

Now, I have to confess, I cried for a long time when they gave me the info, but after awhile, I thought about it. This is close to the conversation that I had with myself. Have you been there? "Bonnie, is God sitting on His throne wringing His hands? Is He wondering what in the world He's going to do? No! He has it all under control and He doesn't want you to sit down here and think that you're all alone. Nothing takes Him by surprise and He's very much aware of the pain I'm going through and of how scared I am."

Anyway, it was after I had the conversation with my self that I came across this beautiful poem about burdens. He always knows when we need it, doesn't He? I wanted to share it with you, if I could. It seems so small, but you will never know what a peace it gave me and no matter what the future holds for me, I will always know that He gave this poem to me, "for such a time as this".

One day when walking down the street,
On business bent, while thinking hard
About the "hundred cares" which seemed
Like thunder clouds about to break
In torrents, Self-pity said to me:
"You poor, poor thing, you have too much
To do. Your life is far too hard.
This heavy load will crush you soon."
A swift response of sympathy
Welled up within. The burning sun
Seemed more intense. The dust and noise
Of puffing motors flying past
With rasping blast of blowing horn
Incensed still more the whining nerves,
The fabled last back-breaking straw
To weary, troubled, fretting mind.

"Ah, yes, 'twill break and crush my life;
I cannot bear this constant strain
Of endless, aggravating cares;
They are too great for such as I."
So thus my heart condoled itself,
"Enjoying misery," when lo!
A "still small voice" distinctly said,
"'Twas sent to lift you-not to crush."
I saw at once my great mistake.

My place was not beneath the load
But on the top! God meant it not
That I should carry it. He sent
It here to carry me. Full well
He knew my incapacity
Before the plan was made. He saw
A child of His in need of grace
And power to serve; a puny twig
Requiring sun and rain to grow;
An undeveloped chrysalis;
A weak soul lacking faith in God.
He could not help but see all this
And more. And then, with tender thought
He placed it where it had to grow-
Or die. To lie and cringe beneath
One's load means death, but life and power
Await all those who dare to rise above.
Our burdens are our wings; on them
We soar to higher realms of grace;
Without them we must roam for aye
On plains of undeveloped faith,
(For faith grows but by exercise
In circumstance impossible).

Oh, paradox of Heaven. The load
We think will crush was sent to lift us
Up to God! Then, soul of mine,
Climb up! for naught can e'er be crushed
Save what is underneath the weight.
How may we climb! By what ascent
Shall we surmount the carping cares
Of life! Within His word is found
The key which opens His secret stairs;
Alone with Christ, secluded there,
We mount our loads, and rest in Him.
Miss Mary Butterfield

The two young boys were discussing their ailments together in the children's ward.

"Are you medical or surgical?" asked the first, who had been in the ward for a week.

"I don't know what you mean," replied the second.

"It's simple," replied the first. "Were you sick when you came in here? Or did they make you sick when you got here?"

Mind It Quotes!
Submitted by Stephanie Schafer

**********
Mind Your Family
Never make a promise in haste.
--Mahatma Gandhi

**********
Mind Your Business
Advantage comes not from the spectacular or the technical.
Advantage comes from a persistent seeking of the mundane edge.
--Tom Peters

**********
Mind Your Life
Never reach out your hand unless you’re willing to extend an arm.
--Elizabeth Fuller

**********
Mind Your Mind
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
--Aldous Huxley

**********
Mind Your Manners
It’s all right to hold a conversation, but you should let go of it now and then.
--Richard Armour

**********
Mind Your Soul
Down in their hearts, wise men know this truth: the only way to help yourself is to help others.
--Elbert Hubbard

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