Author Archives: surfingon

About surfingon

I live in Hawaii. I surf in the winter and swim in the summer. I have been a hospice volunteer with a contemplative-care oriented hospice for 34 years have been part of their team that trains new volunteers for the last 18 years. I have walked the colon cancer path with my beloved husband these past 5 years. He died very peacefully in April 2009. I now seek to share what we learned, to shed light on the many dark corners of this often mystifying, heartbreaking and heart-opening journey.

2/3 OF ALL CANCERS ARE UNAVOIDABLE

Posted on March 23, 2017 by surfingon

New study finds 2/3 of all cancer are unavoidable even with a healthy lifestyle Continue reading →

Posted in caregiver to cancer patient, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 2/3 OF ALL CANCERS ARE UNAVOIDABLE

TUBE FEEDING THE DYING PATIENT

Posted on August 21, 2014 by surfingon

A doctor’s eloquent take on why tube feeding is a nightmare both for the dying patient and for their loved ones Continue reading →

Posted in end of life | Comments Off on TUBE FEEDING THE DYING PATIENT

GREAT BEDSIDE MANNER DOES NOT NECCESSARILY MEAN SKILLFUL DOCTOR

Posted on March 26, 2014 by surfingon

It came down to a simple choice: the most skilled doctor or the kindest doctor. Continue reading →

Posted in doctor patient relationship, hospitalization | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

CANCER PATIENTS SUFFER FROM POOR PAIN CONTROL

Posted on June 29, 2013 by surfingon

According to a new study in The Journal of Clinical Oncology, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/poor-pain-control-for-cancer-patients/ a recent survey of over 3000 cancer patients found that one-third felt that they needed more painkillers to fully treat their symptoms. One month later, when these patients were … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

MAJOR HOSPITAL REFUSES TO PRESCRIBE NEW COLON CANCER DRUG

Posted on October 14, 2012 by surfingon

A 2003 law requires that Medicare must pay whatever price the drug manufacturer sets– plus a 6% cushion. Continue reading →

Posted in cancer treatments | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on MAJOR HOSPITAL REFUSES TO PRESCRIBE NEW COLON CANCER DRUG

DO CANCER PATIENTS KNOW BEFORE THEY’RE EVEN DIAGNOSED?

Posted on March 22, 2012 by surfingon

I’ve wondered off and on about this possibility ever since John was diagnosed, but hadn’t really given it a thought– until yesterday. In searching for my passport, I came across John’s and was very surprised at my reaction to seeing … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiver to cancer patient, end of life, widow | Tagged , | Comments Off on DO CANCER PATIENTS KNOW BEFORE THEY’RE EVEN DIAGNOSED?

HOW DOCTORS DELIVER BAD NEWS TO PATIENTS

Posted on March 12, 2012 by surfingon

the ways in which a doctor’s sometimes unconscious decisions about how to present information impacts his patient Continue reading →

Posted in doctor patient communication, doctor patient relationship, end of life | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

HOW LONG DO I HAVE, DOCTOR?

Posted on February 26, 2012 by surfingon

When therapy is available, physicians will blithely ignore prognosis. Continue reading →

Posted in doctor patient communication, doctor patient relationship, end of life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

THE INTREPID WIDOW

Posted on January 15, 2012 by surfingon

Just a short note to let you know that I’ve started a new companion blog to this one, called Shedding Light on the Widow’s Journey. http://sheddinglightonthewidowsjourney.wordpress.com My goal is to fill it with the many  things I’ve learned about living … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiver to cancer patient, Uncategorized, widow, widow | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

ATTENTION CANCER PATIENTS WITH SWOLLEN LEGS

Posted on November 4, 2011 by surfingon

If you are a cancer patient who has been diagnosed with a blood clot and you now have a very swollen leg/legs that your doctor cannot explain, please read on– our experience may illuminate your own. Continue reading →

Posted in blood clots, side effects of cancer, side effects of cancer treatments, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments