Weird Observation

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 Was just in the backyard pulling out weed that seemingly grew outta nowhere after heavy rain from the last 2 days in Melb (thanks Melb Anemoi, got me excited about Spring coming and then hitting me w hekking cold rainy winter temp and weather 😡), and was hit by a med analogy as you do (#justmedstuff).  

Weeds = cancer cells → both grow uncontrollably and mad fast, wrecking havoc to the perfectly good body/lawn; in getting rid of either, you inevitably will destroy some good grass / normal healthy cells respectively 👿

Rain = glucose → preferentially stolen by the cancer/weed to the detriment of everything around it 🌧

Gardener = multidisciplinary team (MDT) of health professionals, family, friends, and community → both try to treat (tx) and manage (mx) the cancer/weed 👮

Garden tools = all the investigations (Ix) and tx options for cancer → getting rid of the tougher growths 🧰 

Surprise dog turd(s) hidden in the grass = rude new or recurrent cancer diagnosis (dx) + all the nasty side effects (S/E or ADE) → both unpleasant and misfortunate and miserable for all parties involved 🤮

Ugly patches of dirt post weeding = damage to surrounding healthy tissues → both require time, effort, energy, additional support and careful nurturing to recover and bloom once again, but it can happen! 🌞

Leftover roots/single strands of weed = micro-tumours and single cancer cells undetectable by current med tech → the reason why the weed/cancer can come back, but no one knows when or where or (why me in the case of cancers); why it is important to have adjuvant tx where possible (indicated & able to be tolerated) and consistent follow-up (f/u) w GP and specialists (blood tests, imaging, the whole suite as indicated by the specific cancer); also why it's called being in remission and not cured, but there is a chance you may never get the cancer back again! 👻

Healthy garden = being in remission → it is possible so try not to lose hope and lean on your support network! 💞

Apologies if you can never see gardening in the same way again 😁😅

If you or anyone dear to you is impacted by cancer, check out the resources below! My sincerest condolences (I have both family and friends touched by cancer) - hoping for the best possible outcomes given the circumstances 💝

- https://www.petermac.org/patients-and-carers/information-and-resources

- https://www.petermac.org/patients-and-carers/support-and-wellbeing/life-after-treatment/for-survivors-and-carers/life-after-treatment-resources

- cancervic.org.au

- call a cancer nurse @ 131120 or book an appointment online @ https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/cancer-support

- Contact your local GP and ask for a specialist/psychological/psychiatry referral if it feels right for you

- Reach out to a trusted family, friend, or mentor 


If you would like to sponsor me as a walk for Peter Mac Cancer Research - donate below! Any amount you can comfortably donate is greatly appreciated! 

https://my.walktofightcancer.org.au/j-li-tan

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