The Myeloma Beacon

Independent, up-to-date news and information for the multiple myeloma community.
Home page Deutsche Artikel Artículos Españoles

Forums

General questions and discussion about multiple myeloma (i.e., symptoms, lab results, news, etc.) If unsure where to post, use this discussion area.

Oliver Sacks and cancer

by wesley on Thu Feb 19, 2015 1:40 pm

As multiple myeloma "journeyman", this brief musing by physician Oliver Sacks about his cancer (New York Times, Feb 19, 2015) spoke to me clearly and profoundly.

We all must embrace living, and living fully, in the midst of the dying we inevitably do. Thanks to Dr. Sacks for help with that journey.

Wesley

Excerpt from Dr. Sacks's article:

A month ago, I felt that I was in good health, even robust health. At 81, I still swim a mile a day. But my luck has run out — a few weeks ago I learned that I have multiple metastases in the liver. Nine years ago it was discovered that I had a rare tumor of the eye, an ocular melanoma. Although the radiation and lasering to remove the tumor ultimately left me blind in that eye, only in very rare cases do such tumors metastasize. I am among the unlucky 2 percent.

I feel grateful that I have been granted nine years of good health and productivity since the original diagnosis, but now I am face to face with dying. The cancer occupies a third of my liver, and though its advance may be slowed, this particular sort of cancer cannot be halted.

It is up to me now to choose how to live out the months that remain to me. I have to live in the richest, deepest, most productive way I can.

wesley
Who do you know with myeloma?: me
When were you/they diagnosed?: July, 2013
Age at diagnosis: 60

Re: Oliver Sacks and cancer

by coopershawk on Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:43 pm

Thanks for posting this article ... food for thought!

coopershawk
Who do you know with myeloma?: No one else.
When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2010
Age at diagnosis: 64


Return to Multiple Myeloma