e-Health -- things will be different next year...

Raffle items

I had the good fortune recently of being invited to a fund-raiser for breast cancer; attendees included entertainers, presenters from the Rouge Valley Health System, breast cancer survivors, politicians and business owners manning their booths in the foyer.
Since it was my first visit to this annual event, I had no idea what to expect -- what I did see and hear from, were those who:

• informed us, for example, doctors dedicated to the treatment of those afflicted
• as cancer survivors, were proud, not so much that they had beaten back the disease, but that they had the mental and physical wherewithal to survive the grueling journey
• entertained us

I have to admit to being disappointed, impressed and amazed for the few hours I was at the event.

The first of three disappointments came when one doctor stressed that taking supplements does not necessarily improve your chances of dodging cancer -- I tuned in to this comment I suppose mainly because I do believe in supplementing, but this is something I'll have to deal with.

The next two disappointments I'll leave for last.

I was impressed at the degree of artisanship displayed by the surgeon with her before/after breast reconstruction pictures -- I could almost feel the joy patients experience when the process was completed.

I was amazed by the levity in the room when the mammogram process (a serious topic to my mind) was described in a humorous fashion -- the cold rooms, the ice-cold equipment, the crushing pain and the waiting for results -- this definitely sounds like something that could do with some major improvement!

After a great meal, I decided to stand at the back of the room, near what appeared to be the dessert table.

My plan was to enjoy the entertainment and watch what transpired in terms of our reaction to the usual dessert trays, especially after what had just been discussed.

I didn't have long to wait: out came the chocolate cakes, ice cream and the like and I soon found myself jostling with others to satiate my craving -- alas my self-control had dissipated in the warm convivial atmosphere.

Lastly, I was disappointed that no mention was made of available Electronic Health Record tools that should be in our arsenal to perhaps help clue us in to the gradual changes in our health.

Notwithstanding the above, I applaud the organizers for their efforts to increase our awareness of such a life-changing disease and hope that for next year something different (dessert-wise) will be done -- I'm thinking perhaps fruits should be included with the meal, but a slice of that mouth-watering, to-die-for chocolate cake should be prohibitively expensive -- all for a good cause, of course!

Ernest A. James

President and CEO

Regal Informatics Inc.