holding off a few weeks for surgery

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  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #22
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    Texas_wedge said:

    Anaemia and fatigue
    These are both things most of us have to contend with after what we've been through (though I must admit I've never had either, for which I'm very thankful) but, j_rod, I'd have thought what you're suffering is serious enough to call for serious professional help.

    Sleep is an intriguing and important topic. My Daughter recently drew my attention to a fascinating item on the BBC World Service which I reckon might interest most of us here:-

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16964783

    It's entitled "The Myth of the eight-hour sleep" and I think the message in it could save a lot of people a lot of time, a lot of anxiety and a lot of unnecessary ill-health.

    Waiting - surgery or surveillance
    "Billy" girl, I guess I ought to clarify a couple of points in what I said above. It's not suggested that anyone should wait for a small tumour to reach 3cm. On the contrary, if a tumour is seen to be growing or showing other signs of change, that indicates that it's time for intervention. Your extreme fatigue was another such sign meriting investigation.

    The argument is that if a small mass is observed (by chance, say) when asymptomatic and displaying no signs of malignancy, it should simply be watched, rather than precipitate surgical intervention being undertaken. If it then disappears or shrinks, great. If it remains unchanged in size then continued observation is indicated.

    It's also not suggested that all small tumours will simply vanish spontaneously, just that it is observed that a certain number of them actually do just that.

    It seems unnecessary to say that proceeding as advocated saves a lot of unnecessary suffering, anxiety and grief for patients, family and friends alike, saves a huge amount of expensive medical time, work and use of expensive technical resources, and also lost work time (and possibly even their jobs) for patients. Instead of wasting scarce resources and causing gratuitous suffering, those resources can be deployed where they are genuinely needed and, ironically, the waiting times for those who have a real need of surgery will be reduced.
  • One Lucky Girl
    One Lucky Girl Member Posts: 68
    #23
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    Texas_wedge said:

    Waiting - surgery or surveillance
    "Billy" girl, I guess I ought to clarify a couple of points in what I said above. It's not suggested that anyone should wait for a small tumour to reach 3cm. On the contrary, if a tumour is seen to be growing or showing other signs of change, that indicates that it's time for intervention. Your extreme fatigue was another such sign meriting investigation.

    The argument is that if a small mass is observed (by chance, say) when asymptomatic and displaying no signs of malignancy, it should simply be watched, rather than precipitate surgical intervention being undertaken. If it then disappears or shrinks, great. If it remains unchanged in size then continued observation is indicated.

    It's also not suggested that all small tumours will simply vanish spontaneously, just that it is observed that a certain number of them actually do just that.

    It seems unnecessary to say that proceeding as advocated saves a lot of unnecessary suffering, anxiety and grief for patients, family and friends alike, saves a huge amount of expensive medical time, work and use of expensive technical resources, and also lost work time (and possibly even their jobs) for patients. Instead of wasting scarce resources and causing gratuitous suffering, those resources can be deployed where they are genuinely needed and, ironically, the waiting times for those who have a real need of surgery will be reduced.

    Factual Information
    Tex you always make me laugh!

    I have to tell you that I have incredible respect for the time and energy you devote to providing excellent factual information to the cancer survivors on this board, both in areas related to your own case and in areas of concern to others, not to mention your inimitable sense of humour). How do you manage it around your golf schedule? I have learned a tremendous amount about a subject that, a few short weeks ago, I happily knew absolutely nothing about. I completely understand the rationale of watching and waiting now (& sure wish my tumour could have vanished spontaneously!). I feel humbled in the presence of the members on this board who share truly inspirational stories and facts in comparison to my own extremely limited experience as a four-week Stage 1 survivor.

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