Cancer in T&T ...

"No alibi will save you from accepting the responsibility." ~Napoleon Hill

Lead headline in today's newspapers:

• 223 cancer patients in radiation mistake - PAHO ~Trinidad & Tobago Guardian Online
• CANCER SHOCKER Health Minister confirms radiation overdose on 223 patients at Brian Lara Centre ~Trinidad Express Newspapers

• 223 patients at risk ~Trinidad & Tobago's Newsd@y 

I usually don't write about news or major happenings in T&T but this one has me somewhat upset. I've written before that my mom is a cancer survivor. My family knows a lot more about cancer in our country than we did 15 years ago mainly through our own experiences and involvement. I always tell people that if you don't know someone with cancer then you really don't know what it's like - the treatments, the awareness of death, the constant need to be positive. I never realised how prevalent cancer was till my mom was diagnosed with it and then it seemed as though every family had someone with cancer. Blame it on stress, or the founder effect, effects of industrialisation, bad karma (or good - depending on how you look at it)... whatever - there are a lot of people with cancer... 

What they don't need is to find out "that there was a miscalibration of a linear accelerator over a period of approximately 12 months, ranging from approximately four per cent to 20 per cent of over-radiation" according to the Guardian's article. To further learn that the centre was aware of calibration discrepancies and did nothing about it just causes me even more vexation. That's just playing with peoples' lives.

Not right. Not right at all - am waiting to see what comes of this... and fully support any of those affected patients that are pursuing or would want to pursue legal action.

seeking peace today,

Ren

Living in the Body...

"To keep the body in good health is a duty – otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." ~ Buddha 

Today I visited my doctor for what I thought would be a regular check-up. I left my doctor with two x-rays of my lower spine, 2 injections (one on each side of my tailbone) and pills to last the week. Ergh. Apparently I've got 'Sacroiliitis' which is inflammation in both my sacroliac joints. :S Just so you know what that is... according to Solonen, K. (1957)  via Wikipedia, "In humans, the sacrum supports the spine and is supported in turn by an ilium on each side. The joint is a strong, weightbearing synovial joint with irregular elevations and depressions that produce interlocking of the two bones". 

I've been having lower back pain for some time (months) but really just thought it's cuz I do a lot of computer work and thus a lot of sitting. It turns out that this really is the reason but it's more serious than I thought. I have this issue where if I'm feeling a little bit unwell I complain (a lot) but if I'm feeling really unwell I tend to brush it off. Obviously this needs to change. I've got to pay more attention to my body and what it's telling me. Cuz I *really* don't want to have any serious medical issues later on.

When I was 13 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in its advanced stages. It is truly a gift ... and a miracle of sorts that 14 years later she's still with us and fairly healthy. She's had recurring bouts of cancer about 4 times.. 5? after treatment (in the early days radiation and chemo - now we're looking at alternative means) she goes into remission. It's been a lot of doctor's visits and hospital visits and interactions with doctors and patients and survivors. The experience has only left me with a healthy dislike for conventional medicine and hospitals. I don't want to have any personal experiences with them.

And so, I need to be more aware and take care of my body. It's the only one I've got in this lifetime after all. I generally think I'm fairly healthy... I'm a lacto-ovo-vegetarian, I have just about the ideal body weight for my height, I exercise (somewhat - much less now that I'm studying).. It's a bit of a shock to know that I can maybe have an issue that could turn into something more challenging. 

So. Healthy thoughts and vibes begin now. Want to join me? Love your body cuz it's the only one you've got. Meditation. Affirmation. Healthy eating. Exercise. I'm gonna work on it. 

peace,

Rtr