do we realize how lucky we are . ???

I am horrified to hear about these mistakes. Doctors and hospitals are just so incompetent. They do not seem to know lives are at stake here. I have a friend who discovered he has a tumor in the spine at a recent checkup. He is going for an operation the day after tomorrow. The thing is, just some months back, he did some scans (MRI?) and the doctors said it was all clear. Apparently, the tumor was ALREADY there. Imagine if it could have been discovered earlier. So it seems that if they had thought to use a tracer, then that tumor would show up. I am just praying that his operation goes smoothly - otherwise he would be paralyzed for life.

It seems when you hear news like that, it really makes you count your blessings. I hope your tests come back good. It is hard to know what to say in a situation like that. Maybe you could help out with a meal or two or help with the daughter. I am sure they would appreciate anything you would do for them.

Weemam, I am sorry to read about your friend and neighbor going thro this. yeah it does seem like words are useless but I am sure at some point they will remember those words and thank you(maybe in prayer) for offering to be there if they need you. You are such a good person . I will light a candle for your friend . Around here I try to take life one day at a time , and give thanks that our family is still together .

Weemam, you are so right, we have to count our blessing everyday. There are so much misery, and suffering in this old world. And we can't predict the outcome of tomorrow, lets take on day at a time, and look around us, and be very thankful. I hope they get the strength to be strong.

Oh weemam, this is so sad. and to think she did get medical care and was told she was ok. maybe she wasn't told she was ok and has known but did not want to burden anyone with her health problems. you are right saying I am sorry and being there for her is all you can do. Do send her a cheery card now and then or take her newpaper or mail to the door for her if you she see is headded that way. Maybe even if she has been encouraged to walk you could take a short walk with her. It was good you asked the daughter about her, it let's her know someone in the neighborhood cares and has noticed her mom is not well. My mother-in-law had cancer, twice. Your neighbor will probably need surgery or chemo or radiation or all of the above. Mymother in law had all, both times. I rmember the hardest was encouraging her to eat. Keep your spirits up dear friend!

Hello weemam. That's very sad but a fact of life. The good ones always get striken by such things first. Prayers go a long way. Lets pray she does recover her old smart self again. Indeed, everyday is a lucky day for me as I wake up still breathing and functioning. I tend to take minor ailments with happiness and gratitude that they are just that - minor. Doctors! Such misdiagnosis should not be taken lightly. But here in our place, it is very difficult to sue a doctor. They tend to close ranks and cover each other's mistakes. The patient is almost always in the losing end. My mom suffered in their hands too. Hope you are coping with the agony of waiting for your tests dear weemam. All my prayers and hopes for you. Thanks. Hava a nice day!

It really hits home when it's someone you know! You realize just how delicate our lives are and that we never know when our time is up. That is why we have to live life to the full, take every available opportunity and to enjoy life. All of us are ticking time bombs, never knowing when our last day is. Yes we need to realize just how lucky we are, especially with the foiled bomb plot in Britain today x

Oh wow thats awful. That is pretty scary and how the heck can the hospital make that kind of a mistake. Yes weemam we are very lucky in deed. We should all be thankful to have our health and thats a pretty important thing. Im sorry I didnt hear what kind of a scare did you get? I hope your okay.

Yes we are blessed and I just pray we stay that way. Keep your fingers crossed for me as I have to get a chest Xray and a breathing test tomorrow.

It is a shame that hospitals can do things like this and call it a mistake! To me it is malpractice.We trust them literately with our lives and they are not taking the care they should. I know that I am lucky. I have a few things wrong with me but nothing life-threatening though, so I am very lucky.

I agree that there is not a whole lot you can say that will make much difference. I don't know if it is luck or some other force that makes some people sick and others stay well. I wonder how the doctors missed her cancer the first time? That is kind of scary in itself. What would happen if they had been able to treat it if they had discovered it the first time?

In answer to your question, No I don't think people do take the time to be grateful for what we do have. If you have your health you're more than just lucky !!! The one thing I do know is I think the doctors need to pay better attention to what they're doing. Believe me it is not just where you live I can tell you several mishaps that have taken place in Canada, and mishaps that should never happen Anyone can be wrong and anyone can make mistakes but there's getting to be way too much carelessness in the health field. Thank You for your post. I need to do one also Re: some health care issues later today or tomorrow.

Yes I do and I give thanks everyday.Although I'm ill alot I can still walk and care for myself.You are so right we have to live each day to the fullest and do what we can for others because we have no promise as to tomorrow.Great discussion Wee..We need to be reminded. oxxoxo

I can't understand how the tests tests are conducted that even such serious diseases go unnoticed.The result often taking its toll on the person's life.Very very unfortunate!! Yes,weemam,I do realise how fortunate we are and I thank God and frequently acknowledge how merciful and kind "HE" has been and selfishly ask "HIM" to continue being so.To be worthy of "His" blessings,I strive to be a kind person and sincerely try not to hurt anyone and be of some use to whoever needs me. I"m very grateful to God and keep telling "HIM" so very often.:-)

Weemam I guess sometimes we don't but it is scary though I am so sorry about the poor Lady and I do hope that she will get through this What I don't understand again is How could they miss it I am really getting weary of our Hospitals I know the Doctors are only Human to but they suppose to be trained and Qualified for this What is going on I mean this poor woman might Die because of their neglect I really hope she doesn't I am hope so much that she will get through this my Heart goes out to her Family xxx

When my best friend had a brain tumor, I did a lot of reading. The information I got about cancer and how it develops just basically said, it is not surprising that we get cancer, but rather much more surprising that so many do not. You just never no. Hugs to your friend, she is about my age.

There's nothing more you can say, Weemam. I have a close friend who had a big cancer operation almost six years ago now. They removed 26lbs of tumour from his stomach and he was lucky not to die on the operating table. But, when it was all over, they told him they had not managed to get it all. He has been almost six years, taking now 19 pills a day, having the occasional op and chemo, and he's managing to survive. But, who knows when the downward slip will come. He doesn't... he knows it will and he knows the signs, so what torment they live in. But still, he hates a fuss. I think it's a common thing with them that you're not capable of knowing the feeling that you're going to die young, and soon. They tend to start resenting people around them for having longer lives, and they don't like to burden you or share their thoughts with you. He was 46 in January. So, if you just tell her you're there if ever she needs you, I think that will suffice. Don't fuss over her; she wants to feel "normal" and able to cope. Brightest Blessings my dear friend.

It's just awful that hospitals make mistakes like this. My dad was treated for cancer last year and just last week he was in hospital for an operation and had to stay in for 4 days and nights. Even the way he was treated when it came to meal times at the hospital made my blood boil but what can you say? He was left waiting for his food till well after 8pm on the first day he was in because the woman delivering the food made a mistake and gave everyone else food at 6pm except for him. When I pointed out that she had missed him she tried to insist that he said he wasn't hungry. Regardless of the mistake she made she was very rude to me (and gosh I pride myself on being really polite and friendly to people) and said she was doing the tea rounds now and he would have to wait. Then an hour later I went to find out where his food was and she was happily washing up and drying dishes in the kitchen and was a bit surprised when I reminded her about getting dad some food. I know it's just a little thing but dad had had an operation in the morning and he was really hungry and he's over 70 and was feeling so weak. I was so frustrated with this woman that I nearly burst into tears for being so mean to my dad! I know it's difficult to find the right words to say to your neighbour weehun but even a get well card with a nice message is appreciated, my dad was so chuffed that people bothered to buy and send cards with lovely get well messages in - it showed him how many people care and it's easier sometimes to put messages in writing that actually to say it to someone's face. Maybe add a line at the end saying something like "If you need to talk or let off steam or just a shoulder to cry on, don't hesitate to drop in to see me or give me a shout, I'll be right over!" x

omg wee - I am in shock - I knew she was in hospital sweetheart but I had no idea about the cancer! I don't know what to say! You are right sweetheart - we really don't know how lucky we are! Still don't know what to say!

I learned early in my life to count my blessings on a daily basis. You have to appreciate what you have now because you never know when you might not have it anymore. It saddens me that not eveyone thinks about this until something bad happens to change things. Everyday a person must count their blessings and realize that there is always someone else out there that has things a lot worse off then ourselves.