Apprehension, Excitement & Disappointment

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kbienapfl
kbienapfl Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
The day is greeting me with both apprehension and excitement. Our appearance on the Montel Williams show airs today. Montel gave me the opportunity to explain my early symptoms and how I was misdiagnosed. Early screening is a message I hope many people learn from the show. The thought of saving just one life brings me great hope!!!!

I will comment on my disappointment of the local media. I had communicated with several contacts, including the local Fox affiliate that airs the Montel show. In my communication I explained my need to get the word out about early screening. My hope was they would at least mention today's show. Not to get my face on local media...but to assist me in causing change in the discussion of colon cancer. I am learning quickly that it is a taboo subject.

This may be an assumption on my part...I have to wonder if the show was related to breast cancer screening if there would have been publicity. Breasts are wonderful...they provide nourishment, comfort and enjoyment. Colons create fecal matter. What people do not recognize is that more people die from colon cancer each year than breast cancer. These statistics are not known due to the imbalance of awareness.

Montel provided the engine...I will continue to fuel it and get the message out.

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  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
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    If you REALLY want to get that involved, join us with the Legislative Ambassador program with the American Cancer Society. Or, just for colon cancer...C3, or the Colon Cancer Alliance. There are MANY fine advocacy groups....I am in one where there are many health care brass, the 'movers and shakers'....Kaiser (a big California health group) is represented.

    But, yeah, welcome to reality. Colon cancer is where breast cancer was 10 years ago....as you put it, taboo. But look how far IT has come...we just need to keep plugging....

    Why don't you coordinate a Get Your Rear In Gear event? It's the Komen for colon cancer...lots of hard work, but there are opportunities. www.getyourrearingear.com....

    I am volunteering to be the Mission Delivery chair for a local Relay for Life. This is the 'grassroots' side of cancer....not so glam, but 'you tell two people, they tell 2 people, and so on and so on'...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • kbienapfl
    kbienapfl Member Posts: 61
    #3
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    KathiM said:

    If you REALLY want to get that involved, join us with the Legislative Ambassador program with the American Cancer Society. Or, just for colon cancer...C3, or the Colon Cancer Alliance. There are MANY fine advocacy groups....I am in one where there are many health care brass, the 'movers and shakers'....Kaiser (a big California health group) is represented.

    But, yeah, welcome to reality. Colon cancer is where breast cancer was 10 years ago....as you put it, taboo. But look how far IT has come...we just need to keep plugging....

    Why don't you coordinate a Get Your Rear In Gear event? It's the Komen for colon cancer...lots of hard work, but there are opportunities. www.getyourrearingear.com....

    I am volunteering to be the Mission Delivery chair for a local Relay for Life. This is the 'grassroots' side of cancer....not so glam, but 'you tell two people, they tell 2 people, and so on and so on'...

    Hugs, Kathi

    Hi Kathi, Thanks for the suggestions. I have been in contact with loca groups and will be involved with many of the programs.

    Montel has propelled me and I am now the little engine that can. I don't care so much about the glamour...just awareness and savings lives.
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #4
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    I can't wait to watch the show! 30 more minutes!!
    Thanks for your good work,
    Susan H.
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #5
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    I am usu. working at this time, but took today off. Most of the show wasn't on due to a news special. I did not get to see the part about colon cancer. I am disappointed.

    Maureen
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #6
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    Wow, Kathy that was very powerful. You looked so beautiful and so strong. I did not see the very beginning of the show, but you could tell that Montel is a very caring person. I bet if you asked him he would help you to get the word out in other ways as well.
    I will have to read your personal web page to get up to speed, but I hope you have a great time when you go on your all expense paid trip to Ireland! Weee! I am sure that everyone who watched the show will take any symptoms they have of colon cancer seriously. You could see in the expressions of the audience that you have had a big impact on them. I hope your kids don't need the gifts you have given them for a very long time to come.
    Personally I am shocked that your local news did not mention this story. I would be very disappointed too. I hope that one day they will come to value peoples lives over the risk of covering an embarassing topic.
    Well, thank you for your advocacy and best wishes,
    Susan H.
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #7
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    Thank you for getting the word out there. God Bless.

    Diane
  • tmd
    tmd Member Posts: 39
    #8
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    Hi,
    My wife has been fighting colon cancer for 5and 1/2 years.She is loosing the battle with mets in the brain, but I do agree with you 100% on all we hear is breast cancer. Colon cancer is so cureable when caught early.

    Good Luck with the message,
    Mike

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