Tuesday, October 26, 2010

DOUBLE BLIND

Clinical trials are research studies involving people. A clinical trial is a way to test a new treatment to prove that it is safe, effective, and possibly better than a standard treatment. The clinical trial may be evaluating a new drug, a new combination of existing treatments, a new approach to radiation therapy or surgery, or a new method of cancer prevention.    About Clinical Trials www.cancer.net


A placebo-controlled clinical trial compares a new treatment with a placebo (inactive drug or treatment). Placebo-controlled clinical trials in cancer research are rare, but are used when there is no effective, standard treatment available. Read more about placebos in cancer clinical trials.

I never understood my clinical trial while I was on it.  The information was all there in my informed consent.  Even though the language was respectful and direct, I was unable to process it.

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.    Understanding Clinical Trials: clinicaltrials.gov

I'm glad I participated in the trial, even if I don't understand it.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

I DID IT!

I had my colonoscopy.  It was so much fun!
Honestly, the sedation was fun, the prep was not fun, the medical team at Georgetown University Hospital are the best, and: my results were great.
Talk to your primary care physician about colon cancer prevention!

here's Jon Stewart's remarks about Katie Couric's colonoscopy on live television:
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART:  PUBLIC ENEMA

here's Dave Barry's truthful hilarious story about avoiding his colonoscopy:
DAVE BARRY: A JOURNEY INTO MY COLON, AND YOURS

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

SO FUNNY I FORGOT TO CRY




DO I HAVE TO CRY?

Giving yourself permission to laugh is as important as giving yourself permission to cry and grieve. That's because humor is an important defense mechanism; it can help people with cancer adjust to the stress of their illness and treatment. Being able to laugh can create a sense of power. By helping you adjust to the reality of your illness, it can give you a renewed sense of control over your life.
--cancer.net

http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Feature+Articles/Quality+of+Life/Coping+With+Cancer+Through+Humor