A DEATH IN MY FAMILY
Each month in my Buddy Check 9 reports or when I speak to community groups, I stress the importance of Prevention & Early Detection. Early Detection saves lives. If cancer is found, early detection gives you more options for treatment. I urge women & men to follow the cancer screening guidelines---if not for yourself, then do it for those you love. Do it to prevent the heartbreak my husband's family is now feeling.
My brother-in-law, Patrick Skehan, died this weekend, 32-days after he was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer. As we held vigil at his bedside and watched him breathe his last, I couldn't help but think---this shouldn't be happening. Colon Cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable if caught early. The 4-surviving siblings all agreed, Patrick was the healthy one. He had regular physicals, but he never had a colonsocopy.
The American College of Gastroenterologists has issued new guidelines for African Americans regarding screening for colon cancer. Noting that African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age, they are suggesting that African Americans begin getting colonoscopies at age 45 -- 5 years earlier than whites. Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among African Americans. Patrick was 60 years old and well over due for the life saving screening test under the old & new guidelines.
Before he died, I thanked Patrick for saving my husband's life. When Patrick called us to tell us about his diagnosis, he urged us to practice early detection & get screened. Michael was always too busy when I nagged him to get screened, but this time he didn't resist. The test found a polyp, it was removed, but it wouldn't turn into a serious problem because it was detected early.
I am glad Michael is safe, but my heart aches at the loss of Patrick's friendship, humor and zest for life.
Feel free to share your thoughts here on my BLOG. Something you say or do may help a Buddy
Early Detection Saves Lives
My brother-in-law, Patrick Skehan, died this weekend, 32-days after he was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer. As we held vigil at his bedside and watched him breathe his last, I couldn't help but think---this shouldn't be happening. Colon Cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable if caught early. The 4-surviving siblings all agreed, Patrick was the healthy one. He had regular physicals, but he never had a colonsocopy.
The American College of Gastroenterologists has issued new guidelines for African Americans regarding screening for colon cancer. Noting that African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age, they are suggesting that African Americans begin getting colonoscopies at age 45 -- 5 years earlier than whites. Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among African Americans. Patrick was 60 years old and well over due for the life saving screening test under the old & new guidelines.
Before he died, I thanked Patrick for saving my husband's life. When Patrick called us to tell us about his diagnosis, he urged us to practice early detection & get screened. Michael was always too busy when I nagged him to get screened, but this time he didn't resist. The test found a polyp, it was removed, but it wouldn't turn into a serious problem because it was detected early.
I am glad Michael is safe, but my heart aches at the loss of Patrick's friendship, humor and zest for life.
Feel free to share your thoughts here on my BLOG. Something you say or do may help a Buddy
Early Detection Saves Lives
posted by andrea roane @ 5:13 AM
7 Comments:
At January 7, 2008 10:28 AM,
Connie Welch said…
Andrea,
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I lost an aunt to colon cancer and my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer but has lived cancer free now since around 1980! They were able to catch it in time before it had spread. Thank God for early detection!
My experience however has been with breast cancer. Breast cancer does not run in our family. I was in the low risk category (non-smoker, had children before 35, etc.). Thank God for early detection! I was in the doctor's office in January of 1999 (I was 37 years old). My gynecologist did not find the lump then, but he discovered it six months later during a visit that June. I had not even felt it. Because there was no previous history of breast cancer in our family he was not too concerned. Yet, being the great and cautious physician that he is, he ordered a sonogram and other tests. In July of 1999 I had my first surgical biopsy. Little did I know that I was going to have a surgery a month for a total of 4 months straight (in all 5 surgeries). Each time the breast surgeon tried to remove the cancer and have wider margins. Finally, I had to have a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I was (and still am) so proud of my new breast! When I went back to work I said to all of my female friends "You should see my new breast!" Later I had 6 rounds of chemo of which I am so blessed because I did not get sick nor did my hair fall out! I live cancer free now and have been since 1999.
I share my story with as many women as possible. In the past I used to wonder why I had to go through so much. Sometimes you hear other women say the doctor found the lump and then on a return visit it disappeared. Although my results were not so quick and easy, I wouldn't give anything for the journey! God told me that He healed me, and not only did He heal me but He made me whole! I learned then and know now that healing comes in different ways!
Thank you and again, Praise God for early detection!
At January 7, 2008 10:29 AM,
Connie Welch said…
Andrea,
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I lost an aunt to colon cancer and my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer but has lived cancer free now since around 1980! They were able to catch it in time before it had spread. Thank God for early detection!
My experience however has been with breast cancer. Breast cancer does not run in our family. I was in the low risk category (non-smoker, had children before 35, etc.). Thank God for early detection! I was in the doctor's office in January of 1999 (I was 37 years old). My gynecologist did not find the lump then, but he discovered it six months later during a visit that June. I had not even felt it. Because there was no previous history of breast cancer in our family he was not too concerned. Yet, being the great and cautious physician that he is, he ordered a sonogram and other tests. In July of 1999 I had my first surgical biopsy. Little did I know that I was going to have a surgery a month for a total of 4 months straight (in all 5 surgeries). Each time the breast surgeon tried to remove the cancer and have wider margins. Finally, I had to have a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I was (and still am) so proud of my new breast! When I went back to work I said to all of my female friends "You should see my new breast!" Later I had 6 rounds of chemo of which I am so blessed because I did not get sick nor did my hair fall out! I live cancer free now and have been since 1999.
I share my story with as many women as possible. In the past I used to wonder why I had to go through so much. Sometimes you hear other women say the doctor found the lump and then on a return visit it disappeared. Although my results were not so quick and easy, I wouldn't give anything for the journey! God told me that He healed me, and not only did He heal me but He made me whole! I learned then and know now that healing comes in different ways!
Thank you and again, Praise God for early detection!
At January 7, 2008 5:08 PM,
Tony Hale said…
Andrea,
My condolences on the loss of your brother-in-law. I am sure I knew Patrick since we probably went to grade school together and he is 6 years older than I am. I went to OLQP with your husband Michael. I am glad to hear that he is ok. I got my colonoscopy done about 2 years ago and the doctors found nothing. But what I found was that the physician was reluctant to refer me for the colonoscopy. I had to insist on having it done citing all the info from the American Cancer Society and the fact of being an African-American male. Also lets not forget to get the PSA screening as well. Tell Mike I said hello. God bless you and your family.
At January 15, 2008 3:06 PM,
sedona sun said…
Andrea,
Tony and I were so very sad to hear about your brother-in-law, Patrick's death. Our hearts go out to you, Michael and the entire Skehan family. Every time I hear a story like this, I am reminded of my father's death at age 68 (too young!)due to cancer, which originated as colon cancer 3 years prior. At that time, routine colonoscopies were not being recommended as a means of early detection. In this day in time, we really have no excuse. My first colonoscopy 6 years ago resulted in 3 benign polyps which my doctor promptly removed before they could turn to cancer. Two months ago, my procedure revealed no polyps.... Thank God!! I urge people to take advantage of this simple, life-saving procedure. A friend of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer over 5 years ago, but becaused it was caught early, she is cancer-free and doing well today. Another friend was not as lucky, or smart. She found out too late, and passed away shortly after learning of her grim diagnosis. Early detection is definitely the key; so, thanks spreading the word, Andrea! Let's hope that EVERYBODY listens!!
Debby Ambush
At January 16, 2008 7:22 AM,
andrea roane said…
Dear Connie, Tony & Debby,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It means so much to me & my husband. As I've said, the one good thing that has come from this loss is the opportunity to raise awareness. Early Detection Saves Lives!!! That's especially true with Colon cancer. It is preventable, treatable & beatable if detected early.
Please continue to spread the word. Something you say or do may save a life.
Andrea
At January 16, 2008 11:38 AM,
Marie said…
Andrea,
My prayers go out to you and your family. I lost my younger brother last year to colon cancer. He was a vital outgoing healthy man who never drank, smoked etc. Took care of his body as well as his spirit and never thought for a moment nor did the doctors that he needed a colonoscopy. Our family didn't have a history of colon cancer. When he did find out it was in the later stages and within a year he died and left four sons. I thank God that his one son was home on leave from Iraq when he passed.
My point is that whether your young or old, white or of a different race cancer is no respector of people. If you even for a minute feel there is something not right with your body (and only you know your own body) you must get it checked out. What can you loose only your life. I am thankful that he is no longer suffering and is home with the Lord.
At January 17, 2008 7:31 AM,
andrea roane said…
Hi Marie,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The message of Prevention & Early Detection applies to all; you are so right about that.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation has a very informative booklet. It's the "Guide To Preventable Cancers".
Anyone who'd like a copy can email me or call the Prevent Cancer Foundation at 703-836-4412.
Andrea
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