Gita I'm another one who fully agrees with your post. I'm constantly coming across people in my work or social circle who are asking, how was the last test. I'm cured, right? I just don't even go into it anymore. And quite frankly, when I take the day off to go into HK to see the doc it could be for any other number of un-cancer related ailments. More and more it's for the lingering side effects from treatment. Which is something people don't understand at all.
I was treated at what is supposed to be one of the better cancer centers in HK, but then again, one really never knows if it's fact or PR around here that establishes the rating. Quality of care was great, treatment protocall seems spot on, and because of the smaller size, I was treated as a person, not one of a bunch of patents.
But despite all that, there was still no emotional or ancillary support available. Nothing to help on how to mentally deal with this disease, how to improve quality of life while going through treatment. I wonder what the next step will be should there be another recurrance, for I suspect that if there is my goose will truly be cooked and unless I head to another part of the world my options in HK would be somewhat limited.
As it is, I agree for the most part the medical community itself pretty much concentrates on get em in, get em out, and keep the costs in line with the HMO payment please. In rare cases the HMO will step in an try and provide some help, especially if you employed by a large company with big pull with the HMO, but for the most part it seems you're on your own.
One organization I like to refer to is a group called "Wellness Community." I had experience with them during my first wife's battle with cancer. Unfortunatly there aren't a lot of branches, but they do help with the "other part" the emotional, mental part of dealing with this disease. Plus, they help not only the patient, but the family and caregivers as well with emotional support. During my first wife's battle with cancer they were immeasurably helpful with emotional support and without the people there and in my support group I would have never made it through the ordeal. I saw it happen with her, and have seen it happen with ohters, the friends and family rallied around at the beginning, but as the time got longer, her health got worse, they slowly dropped off until I was the only one dealing with the situation.
Even though the last scan was an all clear, I still feel like there's the sword over my head, waiting to drop. My wife and I talk about it some times, probably both of us are in some sort of denial to a certain extent. Really though, eventually my time will run out, the question is will it be from the cancer or a crazed Dongguan taxi driver? She started talking about having children last night, one of the reasons is that she knows that as much as she would like that we grow old together, in reality, if nothing else than because our age difference, that won't happen, and children will keep her from being lonely. Culture here is that once a woman is married, if her husband passes away the chances of her re-marrying are very small. Anyway, that discussion kind of got to me, and even though I ignore it, brought back the reality of the situation.
Guess I started a ramble here, a somewhat disjointed one at that. Thanks for listening.
Bob
