Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Epilogue

This was the Epilogue of my book.

This started out to be a short story about the benefits of research and development in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. My maternal grandmother and I had the same cancer, but our outcomes were very different. In the thirty years from the time she died from the disease until I contracted it, there had been enough research done to make Pap tests a part of routine physicals and early detection wasn’t only possible but probable. Also, methods of treating cervical cancer had vastly improved and there were more options for managing and even eliminating it.

Now, twenty-five years later research has led to the identification of the cause of some forms of cervical cancer and a vaccine to help prevent those forms. As a beneficiary of the research, I am most grateful to all those researchers who have worked so hard to make a difference in our lives. It takes time, and it takes money. Every minute and every dollar spent brings us that much closer to a time when we will eradicate this disease and many others.

Life can be difficult enough without adding the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual stress that comes from having cancer or any other disease. Research and development in these areas is critical and I hope everyone will support it by giving generously of their time and money.

6 comments:

Precie said...

A very special happy birthday to you!

The Anti-Wife said...

Thanks Precie!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Did you have a nice birthday?

Good epilogue. I also had an issue with cervical cancer years ago and they removed part of my cervix and have been good since. NOw they have pills for girls to take to prevent it. It's amazing how science is ever evolving.

The Anti-Wife said...

Ello,
It actually turned out to be a nice day. Thanks!

Another survivor! Here's to us!

Anonymous said...

Hey Anti-wife, I didn't know that you had cancer!!! My sister had cervical cancer, too. She also studies prostate cancer and the people down the hall from her do cervical. She was always joking about how helpful, but also bizzare it was to have colleagues who study the disease you're suffering from. I hope you're doing well. My sister had a hard time with not being able to have children but is doing great now!

The Anti-Wife said...

Kathie,
At first not being able to have children was rather devastating, but I eventually reconciled with the idea and adopted dogs. Anyone who does research on cancer or any other disease is a hero in my book.