The current August 5280 Denver magazine highlights the latest cancer treatment and research news available from Colorado experts. Many of the articles featured in this section are worth reading. However, one article specifically had relevance to me. Right Place, Right Time is about a 41-year-old Colorado resident who discovered she had Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. Only 3.9% of late-state lung cancer patients live five more years. She is now on her 2nd year and hoping that she is one of the elite 3.9%. Fortunately for her, she was at the right place at the right time under the care of Dr. Ross Camidge. Read a Q&A blog entry with Dr. Camidge from 2010. http://www.lifelongwellnessadvocates.com/am-i-receiving-the-best-cancer-treatment-available-2/
Sadly, someone that I know in California passed away this week from Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. She entered the hospital last week and received her cancer diagnosis. She passed away the same week. Unfortunately, the Right Place, Right Time was not a reality for her. A majority of our healthcare outcomes are based on attentive prevention and managing risk factors. However, even then, some of us are unlucky with the cards that we draw. Sometimes being in the right place at the right time is necessary for survival. My mother also received a lung cancer diagnosis when it was discovered at Stage 2. We had 3 years to cope with this diagnosis and attempt to stay a step ahead of the disease. I hope professional advocates like me will strive to assist individuals to get in front of the best providers at the right place and right time.
Click the link below for the full article entitled Chipping Away; A blow-by-blow look at how Colorado doctors and researchers are taking the fight to cancer right now. http://www.5280.com/healthwellness/magazine/2014/07/chipping-away