ROCKY, the indomitable man

Many of us living in Philly are very familiar with the Rocky statue at the Art Museum.  Look closely at this picture (double click to enlarge the picture),  and you will see a long line of people waiting to get their picture taken with the Rocky statue. When people come to Philly there are a few things that they love to see: Independence hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Rocky statue.  They run up the stairs of the art museum, then once at the top, jump up and down with their arms thrown in the air in a victorious salute! 
 Why would the Rocky statue be on the list? 
                    Why the long line?

The Rocky statue is a tangible object of something that comes from deep within us all. When looking at the statue we realize the greater underlying meaning. . . In Rocky III the statue is first presented to Philly with the thought, "A person who defies odds and logic and fulfills an incredible dream." The statue stands, "as a celebration to the indomitable SPIRIT OF MAN." A strength that lies in each of us, saying we can do it! And deep down we all believe this to be true, YES we  have incredible strength and drive inside us all!

Thoughts from a Friend

A good friend sent me a few of his thoughts with the intention that I might share them with anyone who might be confronting the diagnosis of cancer.

-He said, “I came across a painter (and an entire movement actually) who's palate and emotion put onto the canvas left me feeling still and peaceful. His name is Georges Lacombe and the piece I saw was one of a green wave breaking within a slot canyon wall. The perspective was such that I felt crouched within the canyon myself awaiting the mist of the break.

-The significance for me was the understanding that the wave came with penetrating force and made its way to such a hidden place. It's symbolic of the walls we find ourselves surrounded with in life, from circumstances and intentions - the cold rocks of grief, doubt, loneliness, and pain. The life giving water blasts through, symbolic to me of the living water.”

Radiation Oncology basics:

Radiation Oncology is the medical use of Radiation to treat cancer and nonmalignant tumors. Radiation has a high success rate at curing many cancers.
Radiation is used for:

1. Definitive treatment: The main treatment modality to cure cancer.
2. Adjuvant therapy: Used after the primary treatment, being either surgery or chemotherapy.
3. Palliative care: To alleviate pain and symptoms from metastatic cancer lesions.

Radiation can be delivered in many ways, the three most common ways are:


1. Linear Accelerator: This is a machine that
generates photons/energy particles that can
be directed at the cancer cells, destroying
the DNA of the cancer and thus killing the
cancer.


2. Brachytherapy: This mode uses small,
BB sized Radioactive pellets which
can be placed in the cancer to destroy it.

3. Systemic therapy: Radioactive monoclonal
antibodies which can be taken systemically, are
cancer cell specific and kill the cancer cells.