Just because I was interested in this type of thing, I found the American Cancer Society has some facts and figures regarding these types of cancer.
About 62,000 men are affected each year, 18,000 women.
About 12,520 deaths in men. Three times that of women, 4720.
More likely a white man's aliment, over 55 average diagnosis is 73.
Men have a 1 in 27 chance of developing this type of cancer. Women have a 1 in 89 chance.
50% are confined to the bladder, inner layer. 1 in 3 will have invaded further but still in the bladder, most of the remaining cases have spread outside the bladder and 4% of the cases are spread to distant sites in the body.
General survival rates run about 77% at 5 years for all stages. 70% at 10 years and 65% at 15 years.
Stage 0 is 98% survival
Stage 1 is 88%
Stage 2 is 63%
Stage 3 is 46%
Stage 5 which has spread throughout the body is only 15%.
I am currently diagnosed at T1 without looking at my lymph nodes which will be taken during the surgery, biopsied after the surgery.
So according to Tim McGraw, what happens when you get that kind of news? Well, I really have no interest in going sky diving or riding a bull named Fu Manchu. I think we tend to think romantically about what we could do or spend to see specialists. In reality, I appreciate everyone's concern but I have no interest in going to Mayo (nor could I afford it) or Rochester, NY. I am going to trust what God has in store for me here in Omaha.
I am not about to take about to take a trip around the world but am interested in having the most minimal impact of my life and my family's. I don't like a lot of fuss or bother and chose my diversion accordingly. I tend to look for low maintenance, easy care solutions with lower overall risks.
I do intend however, to take the time off allotted to me and not rush back to work or even think about work. We have had plenty of time over the years to investigate the "What if Tom gets hit by a bus" scenario and nothing came of it so people will have to learn to survive without me for a bit. It will be a little rough because folks have no idea how far my reach goes in getting the daily machine to operate.
This kind of info interests me greatly. As a mom who lost her 25 yr old in an instant ( genetic undiagnosed arrythmia) and a husband that did his best to leave this word at 50 ( IABP, impella, tandem heart) I am all about looking into this piece of life we cant control. Throwing ourselves weeping and heaving on Gods Grace. I have learned many lessons through these journeys as Im sure you have already Tom. I love the way you appear to be riding the wave- don't worry about wiping out along the way. Those wipe outs have made me into what I hope is a much better person. Love to you Dana (Cornish) Dix
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your're not going to rush back to work. Take all the time you need.
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