War With Cancer
Posted by terrepruitt on May 18, 2010
One of my best friends’ sister has been battling cancer for a year. When people say “battling” cancer, it is an accurate statement. When one “battles” cancer, it is for one’s life. The fight is messy, painful, tiring, expensive, costly, and heart breaking, just like all battles.
I questioned myself regarding posting about it, because I didn’t ask my friend. But I received a sense of knowing that if I wrote this and one person read it and it affected their life in a positive way then even though my friend’s sister lost the battle yesterday (May 17, 2010) she would be happy. SHE would have wanted me to write this, because she fought with all of her might and all of her faith until the very end. So she would want me to remind you of some of the signs you might want to pay attention to. She would want us to continue with the war with cancer.
—A change in bowel habits
—Diarrhea
—Constipation
—Feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
—Stools that are narrower or have a different shape than usual
—Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
—General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps)
—Change in appetite
—Weight loss for no known reason
—Feeling very tired
You might want to talk to a medical professional if you have any of the previously mentioned signs. These symptoms may be signs of rectal cancer. (1)
I would like to remind you that you need to listen to your body, you need to take time out from your schedule and you need to question things when things don’t feel right. We all suffer from, “Well, its nothing.” “Its this.” “Its that.” It is scaring and frustrating that as we age our bodies change so we never know if what is going on is part of the natural aging or if something is wrong. Then we rely on the medical professionals to tell us because that is their job, but they don’t know either. The last time I went to the doctor I felt as if I greatly annoyed her and was wasting her time because I was healthy. So, I understand hesitation in going to the doctor.
But we all need to be better about it, myself included. I learned some other things today that I didn’t know in regards to colon cancer*.
-According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
-Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.
-You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you: Have a personal history of breast cancer
-There is no single cause for colon cancer. What you eat may play a role in your risk of colon cancer. (2)
*Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancers.
You were brave and fought well, you will be forever missed and loved. When I think of the situation and your family I am sad, but when I think of you and your attitude during your battle, I smile. Thank you for positive energy.
(1) Information from the National Cancer Institute
(2) Information from Medline Plus
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
judy said
I didn’t know all this, Terre. I’m really grateful that you posted it. (And she would be please, I’m sure.) Thank you, and I’m so very sorry for your loss. *hug*
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terrepruitt said
Thank you.
There is more information, but I only posted the risk stuff that I found surprising. The breast cancer link (not internet link) really surprised me.
Thanks for stopping by, I know you must have a ton of other blogs to read. There are so many . . .
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Becky said
No words can describe my hatred of cancer. It IS a battle. I wish no one had to endure it’s grasp.
Thank you for posting and thank you for you.
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terrepruitt said
I know, no one should have to endure it. And sometimes the “cure” or fix is as bad as the cancer itself.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
It is nice to see that someone is thankful for me. Thank you.
How are YOU? You can always e-mail me if you want to share more (than 140 characters or that you would put in a comment). terre@helpyouwell ( .com , but sometimes I get weird spam when I type the address correctly, but you know what I mean)
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niachick said
Hi Terre,
Thank you for posting this information. Cancer is an ugly sounding word. People can have cancerous attitudes just as they can actually have a cancerous tumor, etc. Attitudes also affect one’s physical body. Hate is cancerous. Fear is cancerous. Both metatisize throughout the body of mankind if allowed to do so. We need to check in on these kinds of attitudes and behaviors just as we need to check with a medical doctor as you outlined in your beautiful post.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s sister. I was going to quickly outline all of the people in my family and friends who currently have or who have died from various forms of cancer. It became ridiculous after a few seconds, realizing how many people, just in my own life, have been affected by this insidious disease that comes in so many different forms. So to take that out to a larger scale, I think I could safely say that it is rare to find anyone on the face of the earth who has not dealt with some form of cancer in themselves or someone they know. And not only the people who have the disease, but their families and friends.
So indeed, thank you for posting.
Love, Jill
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terrepruitt said
Yes, Jill, you have made a point I can take out into my daily life. Attitudes/Hate/Fear can be cancerous.
Thank you for stopping by.
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michele said
Grateful for you – the information you provided can save a life…cancer won this battle (R.I.P. little sister, you are missed) but when we are armed with the proper information and take action cancer will not win the war. Thank you.
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Eman said
This is a really nice post with helpful tips regarding this type of cancer. I’ve never experienced having any family or friends with cancer…so far. And I can’t imagine what it must be like not only for the person with the cancer, but for those closely connected with the person. Thank you for this, and I am deeply sorry for your loss.
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terrepruitt said
Eman,
Thank you for stopping by. These might be symptoms and “issues” people don’t like to talk about so maybe this could help someone. It would be so awesome if you could say that you have never experienced cancer through a friend or family member for a LONG time to come. I hope that hope for you.
Thank you for commenting.
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suzicate said
Very imformative post. Thank you. I lost my very best school friend to sebacious cell carcinoma. Lost another good friend who recovered from breast cancer to have it come back in her lungs and liver. My father had renal cancer. He refused treatment and put himself on “colloidal silver therapy”…he has now been cancer free for I think three years. I could be wrong about the length of time.
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terrepruitt said
There are so many types of cancer it is just overwhelming.
Most people have been touched in some way by it. Sorry for the losses you have suffered and that it is in your life.
Thank you for stopping by. I know that my friend is smiling down on me making some funny comment about my post and happy that maybe I am spreading some awareness. And letting people share some stories.
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Angelia Sims said
Loved your tribute to your friend. She is smiling and shining her light on you and through you. Terre, this is GREAT information. Things I didn’t know. The most important thing, taking time to listen and know your body. Not being afraid of going to the doctor too.
I’m so sorry for your loss, praying for the families comfort and peace.
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terrepruitt said
Angelia – We were at the memorial today and it was awesome. It was a celebration of her life and it was incredible and wonderful to see how many people she helped just by being her. So I know without a doubt she would be ok with this post. She would be so thrilled to be able to help people learn.
This post wasn’t about HER not listening because I don’t exactly know the situation, I was just writing from the place I was at (grieving over the loss) and trying to tie it in to how I could help people and realized that we (her and I) could share the information and help people together.
But, yes we all need to listen, but sometimes it is scary what we think we might be hearing or if we don’t know what we are hearing.
Thank you for your kind words. While the family is sad because they will miss her, many are at peace because she is at piece now.
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