When the truth is inconvenient . . .

[green 6]

There are going to be problems with doing right by the environment or, for that matter, even getting a real understanding of what is going on with the environment. This is inevitable for this is a complex issue.

It reminds me a great deal of all the many contradictory advisories that we have received over the years (and will continue to receive) concerning the foods we eat and our own health. We were told that butter was bad and margarine was good and then the news about trans fats came out. We were told that honey was better than sugar. Then we learned that honey was sugar. Brown sugar used to be considered better than white sugar. Salt was pure poison. Low cal sweeteners were a god-send. Yadda, yadda....

Not all the answers which are found will turn out to be the correct ones; this is only because these issues are so complex. That's life, eh.

[gadgetlady 4]

I once had a friend who was very proud of her untanned skin. She always slathered on suntan lotion whenever going outside and was one of the whitest people I've ever known. She was certain that she would never get skin cancer. Then a report came out that there was something in suntan lotion that was shown to cause cancer.

I have a favorite saying: life causes cancer.

[green 6]

I have a favorite saying: life causes cancer.

Well, I won't argue with you there. I have just been diagnosed with throat cancer. Your favourite saying will now probably become my favourite saying.

[TheGh0st 9]

Not to hijack this thread but Green I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You are in my prayers.

[gadgetlady 4]

green, I am so sorry to hear this news. What is your prognosis? Treatment? (you obviously don't have to answer if you don't want to). I know you're an athiest, but I want you to know I'm praying for you.

Edited March 24, 2008 by gadgetlady

[L8BloomR 1]

I am so very sorry to hear this news, Green....I am praying for you also. Please know that so many of us care about you and will be hoping for a positive outcome. As a cancer survivor myself (18 years), I know that there is much that can be done and that miracles happen every day. Be good to yourself and please, if you feel like it, keep us posted!

[ELENATION 0]

Well, I won't argue with you there. I have just been diagnosed with throat cancer. Your favourite saying will now probably become my favourite saying.

Green, I'm so sorry about the diagnosis, please know that my thoughts are with you, my best wishes that you will go through this strong and that you will be just fine Green, I'm praying too , (((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))

Elena

[green 6]

Here is my story. I started suffering from a sore throat last May or June. At first I thought I was coming down with a cold, I am very prone to catching colds, then I thought that I had acid reflux. I had my band loosened and went on reflux meds. This didn't work so I had a complete defill in August. Then I caught one of my epic colds and when I finally recovered my voice did not. Then I got another cold! My voice got worse and my band surgeon thought that I might have a slip. Nope, that was not the problem.

Finally I saw an Ear, Nose and Throat guy. By this time my voice was shot and I was having difficulties breathing. He said I had a growth and booked an appointment with the chief surgeon at an excellent hospital who took one look at me, had me booked into the hospital as a patient and did a tracheostomy.

I was there for a week. While I was there they did a lot of tests and they taught me how to look after myself and my trach. I am at home now and tomorrow I will be seeing the oncologist at the hospital which only treats cancer patients. I will be finding out how they are going to treat my tumor and whether I will be stuck with this trach forever.

Fortunately the tumor, though large, is all in one place. This means that I probably will live, eh. The trach is a drag; it hurts and is messy and I cannot talk. And the treatment - whatever it is - is gonna hurt and be messy, too.

My mate has been great and I think he really enjoys Silent Green. lol

As for being green, being ill is not environmentally friendly! All my supplies come individually wrapped and the amount of garbage I am generating has trippled!

I gotta say that I am happy that I live in the land of universal health care. I haven't paid a cent for my care, not at the hospital, nor here at home. The home visits from the nurses, the medical equipment, and the medical supplies, right down to the hydrogen peroxide, are all free to me. Mind you, the thread count on those hospital sheets wasn't all that high, eh. I was starting to develop sores.... But the support staff were great and I did have a private room. And morphine on tap. teehee

[green 6]

P.S. Thanks everyone for your concern.

[L8BloomR 1]

It sounds like you are getting great care, green. I am so glad about that, and also that you are getting good support from home. None of this sounds pleasant, but you have a great attitude and I admire you so much. Please keep us informed and remember that we are praying and pulling for you!

[TheGh0st 9]

...My mate has been great and I think he really enjoys Silent Green. lol...

I know I'm terrible. But when you said you couldn't talk I wasn't able to stop from grinning at the thought of a Silent Green. But I wouldn't be surprised if some of the looks you exchange are louder than any words.

Please keep us posted.

[Kat817 19]

Green--I just come home and read this news....please know my thoughts are with you. Speaking as another survivor-----keep your thoughts strong, and know we are all pulling, and praying for you.

I also agree with TheGhost---and if the looks don't cut it-take him down with your keyboard (no, no, no---not up side the head!) I have seen you in action....Although a silent green would definitely be a sad day....

I will do my best to cut my garbage put out, to make up for your increase----and I too am glad that $$$$ is not affecting the quality of your care, too often it does here.

Take care of yourself, and if ever you want to unload----type away....you know how the PM feature works I figure!!!

Time for you to be the Lean, Mean, Green......get an attitude with the cancer----you CAN beat it!

Kat

[anonemouse 1]

Hey, Green! So sorry to hear about all this going down. I sent you an email. (Or at least, I think I sent you an email. I got the address from an email that Wasa forwarded me. Who knows, there might be some weirdo up in Canada reading it right now. ) Just let me know what I can do.

[anonemouse 1]

I also agree with TheGhost---and if the looks don't cut it-take him down with your keyboard (no, no, no---not up side the head!) I have seen you in action....Although a silent green would definitely be a sad day....

Hah! I just got a picture in my mind of Green whacking some stupid person on the noggin with her keyboard!

[TheGh0st 9]

....I will do my best to cut my garbage put out, to make up for your increase----and I too am glad that $$$$ is not affecting the quality of your care, too often it does here....

Time for you to be the Lean, Mean, Green......get an attitude with the cancer----you CAN beat it!

Kat

I may be a crazy right wing "liberal" conservative, but I love that idea. I'll jump on board as well and work to cut my garbage output at home and here at work.

Some of us may disagree on the various degrees of cause/effect we are having on the environment but I think we can all agree to support Green in this small way.