volkmann's Cancer Blog
December 25, 2009
During a recent visit with Dr. Agamah, I told him about some eyesight problems that I had been experiencing. He suggested that I go to my eye doctor and tell him about my symptoms. I met with my optometrist Dr. Clark, and I came away with good news. When I described my symptoms (seeing zig zags or flickering lights) in my peripheral vision field, he said that I was experiencing a migraine aura. Since I never have a migraine headache, I have what medical professionals call a silent migraine. Each episode occurs once or twice a month and lasts approximately four minutes. A migraine aura without headache occurs more often later in life, and more often in men than women. He also tested my eyes using an Optomap machine. By looking at the results of the test on his computer, he could clearly demonstrate that I had suffered no damage to my optic nerves. He did not seem alarmed and suggested that I just watch things more closely.
During a subsequent visit with Dr. Agamah, I told him about my visit to my optometrist. Dr. Agamah strongly advised me to schedule a consultation with an ophthalmologist, and one of the nurses made an appointment with Dr. Posegate. I had two appointments with Dr. Posegate, and he tested my eyes very thoroughly. He diagnosed my problem and called it an ocular migraine. Patients with ocular migraines can have a variety of symptoms including flickering lights (scintillations) in the peripheral vision field. As far as I can determine, a migraine aura and an ocular migraine are essentially the same condition. Both Dr. Agamah and Dr. Posegate suggested that the problem is not serious and is probably the result of eleven years of chemotherapy treatments.
September 18, 2009
I have been fighting the effects of colon cancer since September 18, 1998, the day when I initially heard the dreaded diagnosis from Dr. Juranek, my primary care physician. A subsequent colon surgery revealed that I had contracted Stage IV colon cancer since the cancer had metastasized to my liver. Each year on this date, September 18, I commemorate and celebrate what I call “Cancer Awareness Day.” It is also a time for me to reflect on the past years and remind myself again that I am exceptionally fortunate to still be alive. I also use this opportunity to think back on my life and try to determine how I have personally affected the lives of all the family members, friends, students, and colleagues that I have interacted with over the years.
On this day, I also contemplate the fact that my cancer struggle has not only been a curse for me to deal with for eleven years but has also been a blessing for me for two reasons. Since I have kept an account of my cancer journey throughout the period, I have shared my stories with other cancer fighters. Other friends and readers who read my stories have shared their chronicles with me. That mutual sharing of our cancer narratives has changed my life immeasurably. I have also served as a role model for others who admire my courage and my ability to remain positive and hopeful despite my frequent health problems. However, the most important blessing for me has been the strengthening of my faith life. My two pastors and the many members of my congregation and other congregations have been extremely supportive of me during the past years. It’s a powerful idea for me to know that others are constantly praying for me. My faith tells me that I do not have to struggle alone because I am part of a larger faith community. Both my faith and my cancer encourage me to think about the important portions of my existence and not to dwell on insignificant details.
Carl—
My congratulations to you on reaching another Cancer Awareness Day—may there be many more in your future!
Martha
Posted on Cancer has definately taught me not to sweat the small stuff, things in the past that I would normally stress about seem so insignificant now I can not believe I spent so much wasted energy and prescious time on them.
I still struggle with the concept of “Living In The Moment”, not sure how to do that. But day by day I think I am getting it. Like many others here, I have been told I should not be here today.I get my hope, courage to continue the fight, and inspiration from other survivors like you who care enough to share their cancer experience. So, for today I am alive and I have hope for another tomorrow.
Posted on 
Thanks for your support - 
