Surviving prostate cancer - Now what?
Death rates from cancer are better today than just a few years ago. But, its the survivors who live with the trauma of surviving cancer, who require ongoing reinforcement, either financial or emotional. I know, because 10 years ago I was diagnosed with later stage (t2c) Prostate Cancer. At my youngish age; 4 options were available to me, but my specialist (Dr. Mike Chetner, U of A Hospital, Edmonton) recommended surgery. I wasn't as surprised as you might think when given the news. Bear in mind I had no obvious symptoms, but my spidey sense had been tingling, so prior to our meeting I did a little research and explored the 4 options available to me, at the time.
Mike was quite surprised, when after deftly giving me the news, I asked how long would it be before he could arrange, what was then called A Radical Davinci Prostecomy. Of the options available I surmised that this procedure would provide me with the best chance, for a post surgery normal life (always the optimist). Since then I have met a number of men who were subjected to the old fashioned (not one for picking on "old fashioned" but in this case it fits) slice open your stomach (myth dispelled - they do not operate on your heine) and virtually destroy your operating equipment. Mike pioneered the Davinci procedure in Edmonton so my usual good luck held, since other surgeons of the day were not tuned in to the Davinci procedure. An old school chum of mine recently underwent this same procedure in Calgary but my surgery choice wasn't as clear (I was lucky to have been referred to Dr. Mike Chetner) during the time period. Cancer donations are welcomed, no matter the cancer but it is donations that help make treatment better for everyone. And the Davinci Procedure (if surgery is the option) is definitely the choice today unless, and until something else better comes along. Your donation does make a difference. A friend of mine Dr Brent Saik, has raised millions for the Cross Cancer Institute playing hockey longer than anyone (see the Worlds Longest Hockey Game) - so get into the swing of things and wear plaid for Dad. You don't need to donate a lot and you don't need to spend twelve weeks playing hockey, nonstop, (not twelve weeks but its a long time) but please, if you donate, donate to cancer research. Make sure your cancer donation provides an income tax receipt.
Not one to pass up an opportunity, it is incumbent upon me to bring up critical illness (CI) insurance. My younger brother (Don) passed away in 2004 from cancer, around and about the time CI was introduced (don't quote me on the time), and although I felt kind of bullet proof (ya know lightening doesn't twice in the same place) my thought process was correct, purchasing CI insurance was an important decision. I had to be one of first to purchase a policy with Canada Life (maybe not the first but maybe close). Canada Life made the claims experience smooth and professional. Although my recovery period was relatively quick (3 months) it provided me with funds to keep my business stable and operating without much fuss. Many Canadians think our health care system pays for everything but that thinking is incorrect. Many things (to name just a few - parking, travel, drugs, another opinion) crop up during cancer treatment, that are not paid by our health system. The cash received from CI helps alleviate financial stress at a time when you can ill afford the additional pressure. And the benefits received are tax free. My disability insurance did not help since my recovery period was less than the waiting period for disability benefits. So, disability insurance is not necessarily the answer either. One of the many things technology accomplishes, is helping us to live longer but living longer requires more cash.To find out how to protect your recovery, call me today. Buy insurance when you do not need it, instead of not qualifying, when you need it. And unlike life insurance, your CI coverage is for living , not dying.