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To survive in his fight against an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Bin McLaurin does not just have to defeat the disease that is attacking his body. He added that he also had to give up his long image of masculinity.
For years, even after coming to work for Cedars-Sinai in 2011, McLaurin accepted the idea that real men do not consult their doctor except in the event of absolute urgency. He eventually gave in after holding a position as a research badistant at the Smidt Heart Institute. As McLaurin, 51, explained, he felt hypocritical about encouraging people to take care of their health while he was no longer physically gone for years.
Then, after pbading a medical examination, McLaurin's doctor discovered a problem that eventually led to his cancer diagnosis five years ago. This discovery provoked a personal journey that, among other things, changed his vision of manhood and life in general. "To really find a way to survive or be resilient to a serious, traumatic diagnosis like cancer, you have to learn how to get out of your comfort zone," said McLaurin.
The need to personally stretch efforts to cope with difficult medical conditions was highlighted at the 33rd Annual Cancer Survivors Day Luncheon at the Skirball Cultural Center. McLaurin and Cyndi Tomlinson, 48, guest speaker and cancer survivor, told the event held in Cedars-Sinai, how they fought their disease and devoted much of their energy to help other people with malignant tumors.
Their approach corresponds to a growing research on the qualities that patients need to fight against cancer.
The attitude is huge. Our patients have taught us that it is possible to feel gratitude, "said Asher, even in case of cancer.He stressed" feel grateful to have access to the care they receive or to the people who they have in their life, or the opportunity to learn something that they might not have had the chance to learn otherwise, or maybe even redefine priorities. "
Arash Asher, MD, Director of Rehabilitation and Cancer Survival for Cedars-Sinai
This describes Tomlinson's prospects, even though she has faced a fight against cancer after another, involving herself or relatives. At the age of 6, she lost her father to a throat cancer. At age 22, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Three years ago in the month, she learned that she was suffering from stage 0 bad cancer. And two months later, her husband, Bert Ramirez, discovered that he had follicular lymphoma at stage 4. "What are the chances of this ?!" she exclaimed in front of an audience of about 320 cancer survivors and their guests at Skirball.
Today, said Tomlinson, she and her husband are both cancer free. She said in her fight against the disease: "The superficial things were really swept away."
"In life, we grow up and we try to understand what is important, what is important, how to set limits, and I think that when we are faced with a situation like life or death, these things become clear quickly. "
Tomlinson now focuses on other cancer patients, their families and caretakers. By day, she works as Southern California Regional Manager of a chain of optical stores. But, "every minute I have free" after work, said Tomlinson, she is dedicated to her role as executive director of Bolster & Bridge, a nonprofit organization offering yoga therapy, a meditation of mindfulness and other practices.
For McLaurin, who celebrated a cancer free year in April, one of the first steps toward healing was accepting the advice of a Cedars-Sinai social worker, who recommended Try an art therapy program. After a few clbades, McLaurin said that he had learned to express his feelings about the disease and its effects, including temporary erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and self-image problems. This gave him a sense of relief that helped him keep fighting.
"Not everyone is good at knowing how to take care of themselves when it comes to cancer, but sometimes, as a guy, we are even more disturbed because we do not share our emotions or that we do not share our feelings, "says McLaurin.
McLaurin's new perspectives have led to his current position as coordinator of cancer survivorship programs at Cedars-Sinai. "It's the true beauty of this story – not only am I cancer free, but I can now help other cancer survivors rebuild their lives."
He has launched a men's cancer breakfast club and a foundation for men's cancer health and support, titled "Let's Take Action for Health", or MACHO.
The reason for this name for its foundation? "Macho, it's not just about being able to lift heavyweights and running faster on the track or having the biggest payoff of all your male friends – the kind of things we do as a guy to prove how strong we are … me, real macho, is how much you care about yourself. "
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