A good cause

The follow-up appointment with the cardiothoracic surgeon was today. Turns out whatever it was in my dad's lung was not cancer but an abscess. (An abscess is "a collection of pus in any part of the body that, in most cases, causes swelling and inflammation around it.")

I was so relieved I wanted to cry.

In the hospital the doctor had said to my dad that it was lung cancer. At the appointment though the pathology report said that it was an abscess. After all that, it appears that my dad must have breathed in something that caused an infection. Maybe it had something to do with the pneumonia that he had in June which started this whole ball rolling.

In any case, it was not cancer but it was best to remove the abscess anyway. Somewhat related but not really, my dad has a follow-up with the GP about a cyst in his liver in December which is something not to be alarmed about I'm told.

Ever since my Aunt was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 I've become more aware of the prevalence of the disease in our society. When I was younger I thought it was something that happened to other people. However, more and more it seems that those other people are turning out to be someone you know. Just today my dad was telling me that one of our long time family friend and neighbour has cancer.

I volunteered for Pink Ribbon Day this Friday (though official day is Monday, 22nd October). I just wanted to do something. Sometimes I wish I had the brains to go into medical science but I don't so I'm going to help in any way that I can. You can still register to volunteer at http://www.pinkribbonday.com.au/volunteer.

Anyhoo, if you see the stalls around town please buy something if you can!

Or you can donate at http://www.pinkribbonday.com.au/donate-pink.


Some links for more information:

• Cancer Council Australia - http://www.cancer.org.au
• Cancer Council NSW - http://www.cancercouncil.com.au
• National Breast Cancer Foundation - http://www.nbcf.org.au
• Pink Ribbon Day - http://www.pinkribbonday.com.au