Leila's thoughts:

Thank you Jake for writing. Because you are a male and your cancer something else other than breast cancer shows we all are in the same boat. Other men have written that my book helps them too as survivors and also as family members of survivors. I am grateful for such letters and they give me a reason for having written it.

Jake Cole, Ottawa, Ontario, a volunteer for a non-profit group, Prevent Cancer Now (preventcancernow.ca), sent a letter that merits discussions and comments from cancer patients and survivors of any form of cancer, both from female and male. I will write my own comments about this matter in my next column in a day or two.
Here is Jake's letter.
I am reading your book and find it a treasure chest of wonderful, sometimes heart-wrenching, stories. My thanks go to the author, Leila.

Peggy and other Pink Ladies donate copies of Dancing With Fear to other survivors and their husbands. Peggy calls this book a jewel that helps others. I am currently wondering if it is relevant to reprint more copies or if the time has come for mostly ebooks. Personally I love holding a real book in my hands but Kindle versions are starting to outsell physical copies. I want to show here two lovely pictures of Pink Ladies signing copies of my book. I have not been able to write this blog for a while due to the rehab commitments taking all my time and energy.

When I was young, I did not think of dying. It was so distant. Now, after cancer and illness, I realize how short the remaining time might be. I get letters from women with same thoughts.

 Mammograms always in news

We women are confused once again after studies suggest routine mammograms may not save lives. Reported by Reuters in the Montreal Gazette, it is not hard to find breast cancer survivors who feel mammograms are a good idea when a tumor was found during a routine screening. An increasingly heated debate is raging about merits and risks about mammograms. The fear is that over-diagnosis may lead to unnecessary radical treatments.

Potential cancer cures might help us in my lifetime or after.

The Montreal Gazette published an article (Linda Nguyen, Canwest News Service) titled "Don't be afraid to seek second opinion, top MD advices". When we are faced with life-threatening diagnosis like cancer, it is wise to seek a second opinion. Breast cancer is frightening but there is usually time for research to find a good doctor before operation and treatment to feel comfortable with your chosen option.

Planning a funeral? You and I won't die yet for decades, of course, too much to do, life to live even with limitations, but one day it will be my turn. I was choosing cemetery photos for my ebook and found so many good ones that I could write a book... and maybe I will. If you have good funeral stories, send them my way.

A new study could bypass a need for stem cells (Washington,  by Reuters,  reported in Gazette Montreal)  Ordinary mouse skin cells have been transformed into neurons.  This could eventually bypass the need for stem cells and greatly speeding up the field of regenerative medicine.  Just imagine one day to take a sample of your skin and turn it into a tailor-ma

My Friend is going though chemo and has shaved her head. She said her head hurts really bad. To shower, wear a wig or a hat. Does anyone know what she can to to make her feel better?