posted on August 9, 2005 07:30:10 AM new
Dana Reeve, who spent nine years caring for her paralyzed husband, Christopher Reeve, until his death last year, announced Tuesday that she has lung cancer.
Reeve, 44, said she decided to disclose her illness following rumors about her health in the media.
"I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, and am currently undergoing treatment," Reeve said in a statement.
Dana Reeve, an actress, was a constant companion and supporter of her husband during his long ordeal and his work for a cure for spinal cord injuries. Their son, Will, is 13 years old.
posted on August 9, 2005 09:49:41 AM new
Yes, it is very sad to learn of this. But there are some lung cancer patients that do go into remission. Hopefully she'll be one of the lucky ones. I'm sure that her young son has also been a big concern and maybe even a helpful inspiration to her healing process.
posted on August 9, 2005 09:59:46 AM new
I haven't heard if she was or not. People who don't smoke get lung cancer too though.
I'd bet she doesn't, only because they would have had all sorts of oxygen tanks around the house all those years for Christopher. And you can't smoke around those. But again, I haven't heard if she does or doesn't.
posted on August 9, 2005 11:35:13 AM new
This is really sad
Apparently she did not smoke
Christopher Reeve's widow Dana Reeve is devastated after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Dana, who has never smoked, was heartbroken after the actor's death in October last year, but his long fight against his spinal injuries following a horse riding accident, is inspiring her determination to beat the disease.
The 43-year-old actress says, "I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, and am currently undergoing treatment. I have an excellent team of physicians, and we are optimistic about my prognosis.
"Now, more than ever, I feel Chris with me as I face this challenge. As always, I look to him as the ultimate example of defying the odds with strength, courage and hope in the face of life's adversities."
posted on August 9, 2005 11:48:34 AM new
Of all people. I admire her so much. I've never seen her do anything but smile in the face of such odds. I can imagine, especially after the news of Peter Jennings, she must be very scared though.
posted on August 9, 2005 12:27:43 PM new
Dana Reeves has endured an incredible amount of stress during the last several years which may have led to a hightened susceptibility to cancer. She has certainly distinguished herself as a woman of tremendous courage and strength and one of the nations greatest advocates of stem cell research. I hope that she will win this battle!
posted on August 9, 2005 02:35:35 PM new
okay-Im not a doctor-BUT I think its worse if you get cancer from smoking-I THINK they are different cancer cells.
posted on August 9, 2005 03:22:18 PM new
classic, I have no idea. For the longest time I thought the only way a person got lung cancer is if they were smokers.
But I do know that stress can cause illnesses, and can lead to cancer in an otherwise healthy person. I know this, because my mom died of luekemia, and believe me, she was stressed to the max (by my father) once dx'ed she didn't last but 4 months.
I developed heart problems, and I know that it is a stress induced illness. My ex, who was very abusive. But I left him, and that, I KNOW is why I am still alive now.
posted on August 9, 2005 03:26:22 PM new
classic, i think its worst if you never smoked! At least if you smoked, you contributed to it! Dont you think? I dont know about the cancer cells though either.
I saw something interesting about being treated with shark cartilage - that it worked for this one guy ??... at least that he had gone in remission for awhile...
posted on August 9, 2005 04:23:06 PM new
Db-I heard this awhile ago-I think its because of the chemicals in the cigarettes that make it worse.
A friend of mines wife died two years ago.Never smoked a day in her life and either did her husband.When they first got married,they bought an older house built in the 40's.For some bizzare reason the house was never checked for radon.I know this is a cause for lung cancer.
I dont know if this why she died,but I was really surprised,especially being how old the house was,it was never checked.Our house was built in the mid-70's and when the inspector came to inspect the house before we bought it,they did check for radon.
posted on August 9, 2005 04:28:28 PM new
Thats an interesting angle to it, classic.
So many of us just relate to lung cancer and smoking.
I know Asbestos and people working at shipyards and around chemicals and such are fallible to increased incidence of it, too. But I thought there was a law about having homes inspected for that kind of thing? Maybe not-back then though. Or they miss it or just pass it for the realtors?
posted on August 9, 2005 04:39:59 PM new
Asbestos is WAY outlawed these days but since Radon is a gas that seeps in from the ground the home is built in, it's hard to outlaw it.
I don't know if any state requires radon testing but the need for it depends on the type of house. Homes that have no subteranian levels don't need it. Generally homes that have finished basements don't need them because there is some type of venthilation system. If you have an unfinished basement or subteranian crawl space those areas should be tested, not to mention checked once a year for moisture that could lead to mold which can be much more dangerous than radon. You can now buy smoke/radon detectors but don't get caught up in the hype - you only need it in the lowest level of your home.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on August 9, 2005 05:37:39 PM new
thanks fenix that was interesting information to read.
I cant imagine Christopher Reeves house being inflitrated by radon though, can you?
Maybe when she was child, or somewhere they stayed on vacation or something? But I imagine you'd have to be exposed to quite a bit of it, or for a certain length of time...??
I find it odd as much as one tries to map out a good life, ya really just never know what lays in the cards for ya - or whats gonna punch yer ticket in the end.
posted on August 9, 2005 06:14:20 PM new
If they had an older home there very well could have been radon in it. We'll probably never know.
I'd say the fact that she was diagnosed in October and is still going strong and in treatment says they probably caught it early. It's a horrible disease. My maternal grandfather and my paternal grandmother both died of it.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
- Ann Coulter
[ edited by fenix03 on Aug 9, 2005 06:15 PM ]
Caroline 