November 07, 2012

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

37 years ago today my father's youngest brother was killed in an accident. Since then my father's parents, older brother and my father himself have joined my Uncle Rick in Heaven.
An entire family.
Gone.
Where is the "dislike" button?
The "not fair" button?

What do Walt Disney, Peter Jennings, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, my Uncle {dad's brother} and my Dad have in common?

Lung cancer.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that???

*Lung Cancer is the deadliest of all cancers.
*In fact it causes more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined.
*Over half of all people diagnosed with lung cancer, die within one year. My dad lived for almost 16 months.
*Smoking is responsible for the majority of lung cancer cases, BUT it is not the only factor.
*Most cases of lung cancer are not discovered until the disease is very advanced.

I am not one to lecture or judge, but when I see someone smoking, I want to yell at them.
I want to tell them about the hell my young father went through.
The endless appointments.
Procedures.
Medication.
Nurse visits.
Chemo/Radiation.
Being hooked up to oxygen 24/7.
Weight loss.
Hospital visits.

And now he is gone. At 61.

When he should be enjoying retirement with my Mama.
When he should be enjoying his grandchildren.
When he should be enjoying life.
Please don't smoke.
Please donate to lung cancer research.
Please hug your Daddy tight.




11 comments:

Our Neck of the Woods said...

So sorry your father passed away too early. It definitely is not fair at all. I can understand your anger when you see others smoking; I know I would feel exactly the same way.

Unknown said...

Lung Cancer can suck it. I'm so sorry, my friend.

Anonymous said...

It's my opinion that my dad could have lived another 10-20 years had he not been a smoker. I quit 18 years ago, one year before his cancer diagnosis.

I'm very sorry for your loss... I know it's not an easy time to go through... Thinking of you today.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I am so sorry about all your losses. I understand the anger about smoking and lung cancer it took me a very long time to get over the loss of my Dad too. He smoked but the asbestos he swept up on a floor every day trying to support his family did not help. It is such a waste of good men. I miss my Dad who died only four months after finding out. I am still very sad watching people smoke I wished they had of seen what my Dad and yours went through. I wish they could stop, but I know it is hard.
Take care and lots of HUGS B

carol l mckenna said...

Lots of healing reiki hugs to you ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I recently read an article about lung cancer striking people who are young and have never smoked. Scary stuff. So sorry about your losses.

Heatherlyn said...

My Grandpa died of lung cancer in his early 60s. When he was young and a soldier in WW2 the soldiers were given cigarettes for free. The health risks of smoking them weren't known back then, and he became addicted. Even though he quit for periods of his life later on, it wasn't enough to prevent his untimely and unpleasant death from lung cancer. :(

Jennifer said...

{raises hand} I know that. And unfortunately I found out the hard way too. Did you know that lung cancer kills more people than the next top three cancers COMBINED. It does.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

More men die from lung cancer than any other disease. Dave, my husband, died a year ago but it was from a heart attack cause by the radiation treatment.
I have gone up to people and asked, politely, if I may tell them something. IF they say yes, I then say, "Please try and stop smoking, not for yourself but for those who love you." Then I tell them how Dave had cancer, treatment and died.
The key is to ask permission; if someone gets angry, I walk away but at least I've given them "something" to think about.

Ellie said...

I am so sorry for your losses and losing your dad to soon.
I could never understand the need and want to smoke.
Sending you hugs

Nancy said...

So sorry about this Vikki -- what a distinguished man your father was.

Thank you for this post. xo