Cancer: Optimizing Survival

By Greig Derry, CH, GCG, C.Ac.

The FOREWORD of Cancer: Optimizing Survival is written by one of Canada's foremost Oncologist/Surgeons.

This book takes a look at Cancer from the perspective of an Integrative Therapies Practitioner, and a Cancer Survivor. It contains all the information cancer patients want to know right away.

The word "Cancer" wreaks havoc in the minds and lives of both individuals and families. IT SHOULD NOT! It is simply a disease against which we must fight! ..... not unlike any other illness. It has differing outcomes for different people.

When an individual receives a Cancer diagnosis, there is often an immediate tendency to assume the worst. DO NOT ASSUME THE WORST!

Treatment of this disease has changed both in perspective, and in reality. Cancer treatments have come a long way, particularly in recent years.

For treatment to be effective, it is best for folks with Cancer to maintain a positive and optimistic disposition. Those who do this are most likely to have the best outcomes.

It is important for individuals with Cancer to refrain from relating this disease to its "stage", and statistics (which are now available in abundance on the net). PEOPLE ARE NOT SIMPLY STATISTICS, and Cancer and recovery from it are not just about its "stage".

A persons mind, attitude and disposition are his/her most valued tools to effectively battle this illness. It is important to live in the present and get out of bed every day, with an objective to banish sickness and encourage healing, in every way possible.

Cancer provides individuals with an opportunity to embrace new and healthier ways of life, which will best allow them to optimize daily living
.
There are so many great and inspiring stories of survival ........ it is important to embrace them and get on with living and life..... to LIVE life in the healthiest and happiest way possible!

You are about to embark on an enlightening journey!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Greig Derry, CH, GCG, C.Ac.
• Release date: Jul 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301426997

Greig Derry, CH, GCG, C.Ac.

Healthcare Advocate, Integrative Therapies Practitioner, Author, Cancer Patient/Survivor.

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to three individuals, without whom

I would not be here to tell my story.

Dr. Sherif Hanna – MD, Hepatobiliary Oncology/Surgeon

Toronto Sunnybrook HSC/Odette Cancer Centre

Associate Professor of Surgery – University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Jeffrey M. Rothenstein, MD, Medical Oncologist – Lakeridge Health – Durham Regional Cancer Centre, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Andy Smith, MD, Surgical Oncologist/Colorectal Surgeon

Sunnybrook HSC/Odette Cancer Centre

Toronto, Ontario. Canada.

Thanks & Appreciation

My Amazing Daughter – Lauren

My Amazing Sister – Meg

My Amazing Friend – Teresa Denby, RN

All the Nurses, Support Personnel & Volunteers at Sunnybrook HSC in Toronto, Ontario, and Lakeridge Health (DRCC) in Oshawa, Ontario.

Mr. Barry Stein, Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, Montreal, Quebec.

Mr. John O’Toole, MPP, Government of Ontario (Durham Region)

& his team of incredibly dedicated and caring people.

Ms. Beatrice Politi, Healthcare Correspondent, Global Television News

Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Ms. Heather St. Amand, Reporter, CHEX-TV 12, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Some Great Friends Who Played A Role In This Narrative (alphabetical order):

Gerry Baboushkin

Martine Boulet & Marc Boulet

Robert Mede & Wendy Cressman

Michel Delorme

Mark Denby

Jason Dunford & Jennifer Thompson

Pat Forsey

Kevin Gillespie

Mark Rainford

Jack Santeramo (deceased)

Sherrie & Roger Swan

Dr. Connie Tang

…..and all my Extended Family, Friends, Colleagues, Patients, Clients and folks who make me smile every day!

An Author’s Note

I feel privileged and honoured to have Dr. Sherif Hanna, Head of Surgical Oncology, at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center/Odette Cancer Center and Associate Professor of Surgery at University of Toronto, contribute the Foreword to my book.

We first spoke about it when he stopped by my hospital room the morning after he had performed my second major liver resection. I asked him if he would do the FOREWORD, and he smiled and told me it would be his privilege. Well, I think he had that backwards, because I was the one who had just been the benefactor of his expertise and caring … and for that there is no price – it is I, who is privileged to be able to call him my Physician and Respected Friend.

Foreword

Almost every adult in our society has been touched in one way or another by cancer. We either know someone who has suffered from cancer or had the misfortune of suffering from it ourselves. In Canada one out of every three persons will get cancer and one in six will die of it. Cancer is the largest killer of Canadians.

This book is divided into two main parts; the first part contains a wealth of practical information and common sense advice to those who have cancer and those who would like to avoid getting it. The second part of this book details the personal cancer journey of its author Greig Derry. It is a highly readable story full of wit, wisdom and humour.

The first portion of this book is about strategies to optimize survival. In it you will read about the role of the Patient, the Health Care Team and the Support Team in the Integrated Team approach of caring for the cancer patient. By Support Team we refer to the Social, Emotional and Spiritual component of support that is given to the patient by Family, Friends and Faith. Another Key message in this book that is conveyed is the role of Screening for and Early Detection of Cancer. Screening and Early Detection allow the best chance for cure and long term survival.

The second portion of this book is Greig Derry’s personal cancer journey. I first met Greig several years ago when he was referred to me for treatment of his colon cancer that had spread to his liver. Since then, I have had the privilege of operating on his liver twice and seeing him numerous times in clinic for follow-up visits.

Greig Derry is the most positive cancer patient I have ever had the privilege of meeting in more than three decades as a cancer surgeon. His cancer journey has been quite fascinating in that it has been both typical and atypical of other cancer journeys. Typical, in that it has had its share of ups and downs!! Atypical, in that he has handled it with an amazing positive attitude which has undoubtedly contributed to his survival. How did he handle this emotional roller coaster ride that is often associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment? Well, that‘s what this book is all about. Read on, you will enjoy his story.

Dr. Sherif Hanna, MD, FRCSC, FACS.

*****

Another Authors’ Note:

Cancer: Optimizing Survival is intended for informational purposes only. Content should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or think you have a health problem, please consult your (Physician) health care provider. There is no warranty implied or expressed herein. This document is simple and fundamental information that may have bearing on minimizing cancer risk. In some cases names have been changed to protect individuals’ privacy.

This is a simple essay, making use in large part of some of the experiences I have had on this unwanted journey called Cancer. It is not a document using a lot of technical jargon, or medical terminology, but rather a simple writing which I believe, outlines some of the things folks want to know when they receive a cancer diagnosis.

No matter what the stage or gravity of the diagnosis, there is always that innate and inherent fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis, that sends the recipient into a spin. I found out that the spin is counter-productive. A better approach is one of calm consideration, and planning on the part of the Patient – and a steady and unwavering desire to survive.

I emphasize the synergy that comes with a dependence on the Medical and Oncology profession to provide you with the care and information you need to make informed decisions about other support and/or integrative methodologies you might consider in your plan to OPTIMIZE SURVIVAL.

You may find this book convoluted, as it takes many twists and turns ….. that is because it is written from the heart, and the order in which it is written is indicative of the manner in which I have processed this subject matter in my mind. Additionally, given this book is actually two books in one, there may be some repetition in places. So, if it seems to be out of order, or wandering, just bear with me and read on, and I have every confidence that in the end, it will all make sense.

If my experience and what I have learned is of value in helping ONE person, I will consider my effort in writing this book to be both warranted and successful.

Greig Derry, CH, GCG, C.Ac.

Integrative Therapies Practitioner

Cancer Survivor

Book I: Cancer: Optimizing Survival

By Greig Derry, CH, GCG, C.Ac.

Cancer Patient/Survivor

&

Integrative Therapies Practitioner

Hypnotherapist – AcuTherapist

Nutrition & Supplementation (Cancer)

Certified – AcuTherapies

Certified – Nutrition & Supplementation For Cancer Patients

Certification – Nutrition & Cancer (In Process)

Certification – Environmental Medicine (In Process)

Certified – General Counseling & Guidance

PROLOGUE

Never did I believe my career and my life would cross paths in such a way. I now want to use my own life, work, research, experience, and wisdom imparted to me by others, to help folks who may have to embark on this journey, and/or to help them avoid this journey altogether, by being informed.

Greig Derry, CH, GCG, C.Ac.

When I decided to write this book, and chronicle this journey, I wanted it to be about creating a document on which other Cancer Patient/Survivors could draw, much like I did after I was diagnosed.

There may be feeling of desperation and panic on receiving a cancer diagnosis, and as someone who has been there, I am able to say that desperation and panic, and a drastically heightened sense of urgency are highly overrated. It is more important to maintain a sense of calm, which in the long run will be of great benefit.

There are hundreds of books available, chronicling accounts of Cancer Patients who have been victorious in their fight with Cancer. Such stories are valuable and inspirational, and necessary, but I do not want this to simply be a story about me, but rather one that uses both my experience, and my story to provide information and/or inspiration for others who find themselves on a similar path.

It is for that reason that my story is at the back of this book (in Book II), and not in the front.

There ARE references in the front section, which refer to my experiences on this path, but they are anecdotal, and used only by way of providing support to my contention, that OPTIMIZING SURVIVAL in the context of Cancer is possible.

The word Cancer wreaks havoc in the minds and lives of both individuals and families. IT SHOULD NOT! It is simply a disease against which we must fight! ….. not unlike any other illness.

Cancer has differing outcomes for different people.

When an individual receives a Cancer diagnosis, there is often an immediate tendency to assume the worst. DO NOT ASSUME THE WORST! Treatment of this disease has changed both in perspective, and in reality. Cancer treatments have come a long way, particularly in recent years.

For treatment to be effective, it is best for folks with Cancer to maintain a positive and optimistic disposition. Those who