Interview With an “Experienced Patient”
Jan 15 2007
TMF: How has being a cancer survivor changed your life?
B.F.: Having cancer has been for me a blessing and one of the better things of my life. I feel that it has made me better person. I am almost overwhelmed just to think about how much I have received from my family and friends, my mother and father, my wife Carol and my 4 siblings, especially my brother John who gave me his bone marrow. The hardest thing for me was to leave my job at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard – I just was not ready for retirement.
TMF: How do you share your experience with others?
B.F.: I have been lucky to have a local support group sponsored by the American Cancer Society and Harrison Hospital of Bremerton, where I found 4 others that had a BMT like me to share support. We have attended patient reunions at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle several times with others patients from all over the world. Another important place for me has been on the Internet with the BMT-Talk and CML lists of the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR). Being a leukemia and bone marrow patient was like going through school and learning about everything for the first time. Now, I am an “experienced patient" of 14 years.
TMF: Do people treat you differently as a cancer survivor?
B.F.: When I was diagnosed in February 1993, my co-workers were very supportive and kind. Every year since then I see them at an office holiday party. They are always glad to see me, though seem surprised that I am doing well. I always like to surprise them. My health seems better than many of them in our retirement age. Most have retired in last the 14 years.
TMF: Do you dream about the future?
B.F.: I feel my life now is a dream and I am in the future. I try to live one moment at a time to appreciate it. I want to write a book about my story and of my dearest cancer friends like Bob Czako who did not survive. His inspiration and humor helped carry me through the hard times.
I enjoy photographing and participating in events like the "Leukemia Walk" and "Relay for Life" and decorating the main office with my art. I like to have people ask, "Who is this guy Bob Farmer who made these images".
TMF: What would you like to tell other patients?
B.F.: The most important thing is to be involved, to be proactive with their treatment, to seek support from family and friends and to take every moment and day one at a time. For me, especially during the hard times of my treatment and recovery, it was important to stay focused on the moment.
TMF: What does it mean to you to volunteer for TMF?
In the beginning I was invited to assist with IT work and create the Memorial Wall. During the nine years since then, TMF has given me purpose and enriched my life. It feels good to be able to use my life experience with cancer to help and inspire others though this great international family. Not in my fondest dreams did I ever think this would ever happen.
You can learn more about Bob’s experiences and life at his website Cancer SuXs
http://oc.itgo.com/cancer/
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