Doctors get Cancer too - What this blog is all about

Welcome to my blog, Hashtag Cancer! Some of you might have read my other blog, The Unofficial GEMP Guide and have grown accustomed to my style of writing. Some people even enjoy it!

So what's the point of this blog then? Well, I've been diagnosed with cancer (shock and horror!). Although this is a very personal challenge, I would like to share my experiences with others - from the viewpoint of a doctor with cancer.

This came about as I was sitting in the waiting room of the radiology department, waiting for my PET scan results. A wonderful lady sat across from me, visibly distressed. She commented on how "chilled" I look. I explained that I am a doctor, and that I too have fallen prey to the dreaded Crab (Latin Cancer, from the Greek word Cancinos, meaning Crab/crayfish). I sat and explained all the difficult jargon to her and she became, quite evidently, calm. This was repeated with another lady, just 15 minutes later. I then realised that I have the rare opportunity to help people with cancer, and people who know other people with cancer, and people who know people who know other people who have heard the word cancer before.

So here we are. I'm not yet certain where this blog will take us, but I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

I must stress that I am in no way a cancer expert and had to go through my textbooks to understand many of the things happening to me. I'm writing this from a personal point of view, describing my experiences - the psychology, the biology, the pharmacology, the humour and the eventual conquering of the Crab.

I will use many medical words, but will do what I can to explain what it all means, as we learn together. I use humour quite often. It's my personal coping mechanism. Be that as it may, please know that I am well aware of the seriousness, the dread, the heartbreak that cancer causes, and has caused for many of us. The lighthearted undertone that the posts may take is by no means meant to offend anyone, or detract from the heavy burden cancer may cause.

On that...cheerful note, I would like to welcome you to my world! I hope you enjoy your stay.

P.s. I hardly advocate the use of hashtags. I still think of the # (you just said hashtag in your head, didn't you?) as the pound sign - but it certainly makes for a pretty neat blog title!