tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post8987144418354034691..comments2024-03-26T12:50:32.070-07:00Comments on Learning from and about cancer (chronic lymphocytic leukemia or CLL) by Dr. Brian Koffman: The Death of Robin Williams: A Failure of Imagination and what it means to those of us with CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and other CancersBrian Koffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250684684103918493noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-5984028492806262002014-08-19T13:52:46.400-07:002014-08-19T13:52:46.400-07:00I've had severe depression a number of times c...I've had severe depression a number of times caused by long term use of sleep medication as prescribed by my doctor, eventually I felt a strong urge to kill myself. There is no logic involved, the utter misery and pointlessness of life equates to zero, death is a way out of the horrendous suffering, the urge to die is overwhelming. On more than one occasion I went out with a knife to slash my veins, another time I almost crashed my car at high speed into a concrete bridge. God stopped me, that's why I'm still here. He still has a purpose for my life, love God, love my family, love others. I stopped taking the sleeping tablets and the depression quickly left. Instead I took Melatonin and I could sleep again, it wasn't available from our health service prior to the depression, now it is. God works miracles, he changed our health system to save my life and others. Now I am soon to start treatment with a new drug for CLL in a clinical trial, another gift of grace from God, praise him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-54559557241313318342014-08-18T10:54:36.362-07:002014-08-18T10:54:36.362-07:00Robin had so many depression risk factors... Parki...Robin had so many depression risk factors... Parkinsons, recent heart surgery, feelings of lost career, significant financial difficulties, and a fairly recent divorce from a longtime partner. All of the sudden I felt lucky just to have CLL! But the truth is, and I suspect this is true for anyone who has looked a potentially life shortening disease in the eye, I can identify with the despair he must have felt. Learning about your CLL diagnosis for the first time is a very tough moment. I wish he could have given himself more time to realize "this too shall pass", and each new day is a gift.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com