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08/14/2006: "Sick (because) of the News"
The doctors told me that the tumor in my colon took about 6 years to get to stage III. So, as I realized that stress is one of the causes of illnesses such as cancer, I started thinking about what events in my life may have been traumatic back then. Then it came to me that there was a stolen presidential election and the beginnings of war. I wonder, can you sue a president for causing a decline in health?
Now as I try and reduce stress, I find I can no longer read the paper or listen to the radio news. We get both the Contra Costa Times and San Francisco Chronicle. I guess bad news sells better than good news but this is crazy. I try to just skim the headlines so I stay somewhat informed but once I dive deeper into a given article, I get upset.
The health articles seem to be on the top of my list for obvious reasons. Yesterday I was reading an article about a group of Iraq veterans who are sick and believe it is from the Depleted Uranium in the armor of our tanks and other vehicles. Apparently it has greater density than lead so we use it for armor. Unfortunately, it gets airborne and into the soldiers. Then there was the article about how the California farmer is exempt from the clean water legislation and our main rivers are testing for all types of nasty and banned pesticides and other poisons. They are even finding levels of DDT! Of course I went and saw the movie, “An Inconvenient Truth” with indisputable facts and data on global warming.
So living in civilization is polluting us and the news on TV, radio and paper is stressing us out. I guess its possible to move to the wilderness and live off the land. It just seems a little extreme. For now I will do my best to avoid the news and do my little part to keep the earth healthy.
Replies: 7 Comments
on Sunday, August 20th, Sideon said
Greetings. A friend and co-worker (Janice Geisness) sent me the link to your site. I haven't written before, but I've checked in a few times to see how you're doing.
The idea that our stress and beliefs can make us ill really hit me hard about 8 years ago. I had left a relationship, moved, and had a new job that required me to travel a lot - all within a month's time. After 10 months, my body told me it had had enough. I thought I had a stroke, but it was Bell's Palsy - the right side of my face, from below my eye and down my nose to my chin and over to my ear - were paralyzed. I couldn't taste or feel food on the right side of my tongue. Long story short - the day I put in my resume for a new job is the day I started gettin better. Today, my body tells me when too much is going on - I get electrical spikes through the right side of my face, or I have uncontrollable muscles/twitches. (Those can be amusing, but mostly it's frustrating when you suddenly pull an Elvis "thank you, thank you very much" when you're trying to smile or have a conversation.)
I'm sending white light your way. Be well.
on Wednesday, August 16th, julie in idaho said
hey rocky,
thinking of you especially hard today...hope this means these latest treatments are tolerable and effective, and that your warrior spirit continues to be alive and strong. much love, much love your way.
on Tuesday, August 15th, Debra G said
Isn't it ironic that we stress and worry about bad things happening, and by worrying and stressing about bad things happening; we can make bad things happen, like make ourselves sick!
It has always been a life long struggle for me to let things go, to worry less, to stress less, and enjoy life more. But having my good friend Doug sick, and still being positive and moving forward has finally made it "click" for me. I was up in Oregon for my parent’s 50th wedding Anniversary, and I just relaxed and let things go. I enjoyed the time for what it was. I haven’t been with my parents and my two brothers and their families for almost ten years. I let go my fears and went canoeing for the first time in my life. Six miles down the Deschutes River. The night before, I had heard on the news that a 15 year old kid had drown the day before. The old me would have worried too much and would have canceled the canoeing. But I controlled my fear, got into the canoe and paddled away to a life long memory of an absolutely amazing afternoon with my family. The whole visit I just let it go and enjoyed life rather than worry about life. It was one of the best trips of my life.
I also realize that I can’t control what happens to me or the people I love. I can only make sure that I enjoy my time with the people I love. I try to make sure they have a fun, loving Debra to spend time with, not a stressed out, worrywart Debra. I think I may like the new Debra a whole lot better! So thank you my friend, for teaching me one of the greatest lessons in life.
on Tuesday, August 15th, Mia said
Well, I know for sure we're related - I blame the president for everything!lol 
I know the news causes me much stress as well. Sometimes it's overwhelming especially when it all seems so out of our hands.
I hope radiation goes smoothly.
on Monday, August 14th, Linda said
If we all did a "little" part everyday - life could be better - we just have evolved far enough to get the point! Thinking of you
on Monday, August 14th, Janet said
Well the good news is that on Spetember 16-17 I will be participting in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Petaluma. This will be my third year. Family and friends have been invited to walk with me, send donations, sponsor a lumineria. There are presently two special people in my world that I will be walking for. Two young (ish) men, both in their early 40's, both with young families and both doing battle with colon cancer. Those of you who read this blog and would like to sponsor my walk and/or a lumineria please send check to: American Cancer Society,
c/o Janet DuBois-Mars, 1530 Anna Way, Petaluma, CA 94954. Please let me know who you would like the lumineria to honor (Doug maybe????). Janet, Colon Cancer Survivor
on Monday, August 14th, Aunt Beena said
Well 1 week until my 65 mile bike ride in Napa. The 32 miles I did Sunday hurt pretty good, but then again it had been a month since I have been on my bike. I will make I know because your strength has inspired me too. My completion of the ride is dedicated to you for all that you have done for our family.
