[Wellness] Thoughts on the Ted Koppel Living with Cancer Documentary

["Karen Patterson" <Patterson@womens-wellness.com>]

>Dear members,
I had some hesitation about watching this program.  After I finally did:
>
>Here are some of my thoughts/reactions:  While I can't say that I 
>learned many new things, watching the three hours of Living With 
>Cancer served to bring back a lot of memories and to stir up my own 
>personal thoughts. Having read Lance Armstrong's books, I knew most 
>of his story, but seeing him live it made me want to push myself 
>harder in all I do, particularly the physical things I do such as 
>swimming and cycling. He makes me feel like anything truly is 
>possible. Koppel's production team did a good job of skirting around 
>Lance's personal life, which I found interesting. I've always felt 
>for his wife after her devotion to all things Lance, but, of course, 
>I have absolutely no insight into his marriage other than what I get 
>from the tabloids. I do wonder if he rallied for Sheryl Crow when 
>she got breast cancer.
>
>Such a big part of the show was about Koppel's friend Leroy Sievers 
>and this was beautifully done. They did not beat around the bush and 
>really told it like it is. I related the most to Leroy especially 
>when he said he is not angry, this is just what happened to him. And 
>then when he says that as soon as life seems to become predictable, 
>there are some twists. I appreciated Koppel asking him how long he 
>would keep on with treatments that may or may not work. I've had all 
>these thoughts too, and still do in some way shape or form just 
>about every day.
>
>I liked that Lance wanted his doctors to be his buddies and his 
>expression of frustration that they wouldn't respond that way. I 
>still remember how my oncologist showed very little warmth/emotion 
>toward me but that I respected him so I accepted what I interpretted 
>as detachment and coolness. I am one who usually chit chats with her 
>doctors and knows about their personal lives. With him, I knew 
>nothing. Then, when all treatment was over, we had our first "buddy" 
>talk and he actually hugged me. Again, I understand that these docs 
>see more of their patients than survive. They have to keep their 
>distance emotionally. This doc retired and the one in the group who 
>is now mine is more personal and friendly, but at this point in time 
>I am not fighting an active cancer.
>
>Elizabeth Edwards was good too but we didn't hear enough from her. 
>She seems to have her act together and is realistic about what may 
>be ahead.
>
>Curiously, they all talked about remembering their oncology nurses. 
>I don't remember any of mine...I think I have worked hard to blank 
>out the chemo period. I remember them being nice and gentle and for 
>my final chemo having trouble finding a vein, but I never liked 
>them. At Christmas time I bring candy to many of my favorite docs 
>and that year, I brought them nothing.
>
>Oh, Stephanie, the lady with pancreatic cancer. Let's hope she lives 
>a long long time.

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