More than 47 percent of people view their pets as family members, according to a 2002 American Veterinary Medical Association survey. It makes sense then that people are routinely treating their pets for ailments that might strike a family member -- like arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, allergies, dementia, obesity, and yes, cancer.

New studies show that Americans are stuffing their pets with more drugs than ever before. They are medicating their dogs, cats, and sometimes other pets as much as they medicate themselves -- and they are doing it with many of the same human drugs they use for themselves, like steroids for inflammation, antibiotics for infection, anti-depressants for anxiety, and even new slendering drugs for obesity.

It's a big market -- pharmaceuticals for pets -- and for those who love their pets so much they can't let go, going to extremes is worth every penny.

Think about this:

• For dogs and cats alone, Americans spent $2.9 billion on pet drugs in 2005. While this is equal to only one percent of human drug sales, the market has grown by half since 2000.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than 40 new pet drugs in the past five years.

• A single three-month course of pet chemotherapy can cost $3,000 -- and chemotherapy doesn't typically extend the life of an animal as much as it soothes symptoms of the disease.

• Health insurance for pets was nearly invisible in 2002 but has gained popularity over the past few years. Premiums can cost $30 per month, and the total market is expected to climb to $500 million in the next five years.

• Some human drugs leave pets with unexpected, sometimes deadly, side effects. The drug Rimadyl, made by Pfizer and used as a treatment for dogs with arthritis, has been shown to cause kidney and liver damage in some animals. More than 3,000 pet deaths have been attributed to this drug.

• Some question the priorities of a society that allows for medically treating pets like they are humans. Dianne Dunning, an ethicist at N.C. State's vet school is concerned that millions of animals are lost, unwanted, and euthanized while millions are spent on pet medicines. David Rothman, an expert in medicine's role in society from Columbia University, says, "If you can't get malaria drugs in some Third World countries, what are we doing with chemotherapy for cats?"

• Others don't flinch at the expense it requires to keep their pets alive. One man, whose dog was expected to die of lymphoma within weeks, still enjoys the company of his pet some two years later. Chemotherapy saved the dog's life and when asked if he thinks the drugs are too expensive, this man says NO -- because his dog is still here.
  

It's been so long I can barely remember the cause of the family rift that kept me separated from an aunt, an uncle, and cousins for many years. All that remains clear is that a once-close family split apart because of disagreement and hurt feelings and that my grandma -- the glue that held this family together for more than 50 years -- was heartbroken. She did everything she could to repair the damage of her splintered family. But despite begging, pleading, and continued prayers, reconciliation seemed impossible -- until it became evident this sweet woman was about to die.

The progress was slow and began with a rallying of family members at my grandma's bedside. She was somewhat incoherent at the time, and I'm not quite sure if she realized her broken family was on the mend. But I hope she knows, in some heavenly way, that she is the one who ultimately brought everyone together.

After her passing, we all gathered for her memorial service. We took turns spreading her ashes at a tree planted in her honor. We talked and visited and laughed and ate. We broke the ice and opened the door for further interaction. It was refreshing to mourn the loss of Gram without overriding tension and conflict.

I'm not sure if family relations would have continued without what happened next. I suspect we may have all returned to our lives and gone our separate ways, happy we had reconnected but still missing the closeness we once experienced. But then cancer entered our lives, shocked us all, and gave us all reason to stay in touch.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer not long after my grandma died. And the same people who came to her bedside came to my rescue in ways I never would have imagined in the heat of battle. The same people who for years were absent from my life were the ones offering me support and encouragement and love. They helped me get better.

Once I was better, life returned to a somewhat normal routine. And maybe we would have routinely slipped back into our selfish ways. But illness struck again, requiring we all step back up to the plate.

My uncle, who has lived with diabetes for many years, was faced this year with losing his foot. Thankfully, he found specialists who gave him hope and reason to travel every month for several months to a clinic in my city, where eight family members live and where options never before available to him became a reality -- both medically and personally.

My uncle is doing well, walking on his foot with the aid of a brace. And our family is doing well, as a result of frequent visits, lunches, and continued laughs.

It took death and disease to bridge the gap that existed for much too long between the members of my family. And just this weekend, after spending a glorious weekend with my long-lost cousins, I realized we have possibly arrived back where we once started -- before whatever led to our disagreement and hurt feelings drove us apart.

I believe Gram is smiling down upon us at this very moment, content at last that her three beautiful children -- and their children and their children -- are again a happy family.

I love it when seven of something lands before me, offering me potential material for the Sunday Seven series. In fact, it just happened. And I can't wait to start writing about the Seven Levels of Healing common to cancer patients and those who love them.

I have a new book. It's called The Journey Through Cancer: Healing and Transforming the Whole Person by Jeremy Geffen, MD.

Dr. Geffen knows cancer. He lost his father just three months after a stomach cancer diagnosis. He became an oncologist. He founded a cancer research center. He travels and speaks and writes about health and wellness. And inside the pages of his newly revised and updated paperback, he details the Seven Levels of Healing -- a blend of conventional and complementary principles-- and the true stories of cancer patients who have directly experienced them.

It occurred to me while first flipping through this book that I might read it in its entirety and then write a review of the material. Then I determined it would take much too long for this approach. With two small children, a few jobs, an exercise routine I must revisit, and all the other bits and pieces of life that keep me occupied, this would be quite an undertaking -- the actual reading, the remembering, the writing. Somehow, this would be too much to manage. But small steps. I think I can handle small steps. So this is how it's going to work.

I will present to you in this post the Seven Levels of Healing. I don't know much about them yet -- although by title alone, I am sure I have lived most of them in my own cancer journey. So I will simply lay the groundwork. And then I will start reading. And as I read, I will write. This will be my own one-woman book club -- with an open invitation for new members. Read my posts and reflect on them. Agree. Disagree. Leave comments. Buy your own book. Read with me. Apply what you learn to your own life. Share what you learn with others. The possibilities are endless as I journey my way through this new book in search of peace, clarity, and comfort -- all of which flow from these seven levels.

Level One: Education & Information
Level Two: Connection with Others
Level Three: The Body as Garden
Level Four: Emotional Healing
Level Five: The Nature of Mind
Level Six: Life Assessment
Level Seven: The Nature of Spirit

And so that's what I have to offer for now. I'm sorry to keep you hanging. But rest assured, I am hanging right along with you, eager to find a moment to dive into this book. To sink my teeth into the words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters. To relay it all to you. I can't wait -- to really understand the Seven Levels of Healing.

Stay tuned for:
The Journey Through Cancer: Introduction

In 1998, Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Five years later, she suffered a recurrence and told she only had a few months to live. With involvement in a clinical trial, she lived on 18 more months. During those months, she thought about what a cancer patient needs to survive. Maggie's vision of a haven for cancer patients and their families was realized when the first Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh opened.

Located in Scotland, Maggie's Centres welcomes people with cancer, and families, friends and caregivers, to visit as long as they feel they need support . Designed in a home-like setting, an appointment is not required and there are no charges.

Simply walk in when you feel you need to talk or would like to take part in the services they have to offer. Maggie's Centre's philosophy is that each person's need is different, and cancer support specialists -- professionals with oncology and psychology training -- are there to listen and help each person develop a personalized strategy for coping with their individual situation.

As John Kerry prepares to ride in the upcoming Pan-Massachusetts Challenge to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and cancer research, Bella English of the Boston Globe got a chance to have a chat with him about being a prostate cancer survivor.

Kerry was diagnosed with prostate cancer during his presidential primary campaign in 2002.

"It doesn't scare me as much as cancer just pisses me off," said Kerry. "Too many incredible people weren't as lucky as I was, some because they had a cancer we can't yet cure, and others because they didn't get screening or care in time or couldn't afford great health care. Every American should have the same health care that senators and congressmen get."

Cancer has touched Kerry and members of his family, and the issues of cancer have been a priority of his for some time. In addition to his prostate cancer diagnosis, his grandfather died of colon cancer, his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and died in 2000, and his ex-wife was diagnosed with transitional-cell carcinoma and died earlier this year.

So instead of letting cancer scare him, he has chosen to be pissed off about it and to do what he can both politically and personally to support cancer research towards a cancer cure, to help people diagnosed with cancer and in addressing the healthcare problem in this country. To read the Kerry interview in its entirety, read John Kerry takes fight against cancer personally.

I've been keeping a journal ever since I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. I first wrote by hand in a pink fabric-covered book, sprinkled with multi-colored polka dots. It looked feminine -- which is why I bought it -- and it's vibrance made me feel inspired, motivated, eager to write down the dreaded details of the beginning of my journey. Then I stopped writing in this book and began typing my words in an on-line journal -- a blog. My husband designed the presentation of it, with a pink banner that serves as the backdrop for the title -- my Breast Cancer blog. My first entry was completed on December 21, 2004 and I am still chronicling my journey here. I am also writing for this site -- the Cancer Blog -- and I write whenever and wherever else I can record my words. I do it because it helps me process information in a quiet, calming, introspective way. It soothes me, helps me work through panic and anxiety, helps me heal, and helps me chart my progress. When I look back at what I've written, I realize how far I've come -- or haven't come -- and it helps me move forward. I recommend journaling for everyone, and I recommend these seven simple suggestions for getting started.

I experienced a diagnosis of cancer and went through cancer surgery and treatments. I live an altered life of certain innocence lost in facing my own mortality. I have experienced a family member being diagnosed with cancer. I have sat and waited through treatments, said prayers in fearing the possible loss of someone I loved deeply that I could not imagine life without -- holding my breath each time they went in for surgery, treatment or a follow-up visit worrying the outcome might not be in our favor. Prayed more, making deals with an unseen God.

If I had to measure, which is worse, being diagnosed with cancer or having a loved one diagnosed with cancer, I would say having a loved one diagnosed with cancer is more difficult. After my cancer diagnosis, I became actively involved in my cancer treatments and cancer survivorship. I researched, and then made informed choices for treatment and embarked with confidence and resolve on a journey of healing. Even though I was facing a disease of out-of-control cell growth, I felt a measured amount of control. I knew how I felt each day.

When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, you can never gain a feeling of control. You sit, you watch, you stay close -- you listen to their tone of voice, watch body movements, look at mood for clues -- but you cannot know how they are feeling. Do they feel stronger or weaker today? Are thoughts and feelings of exhaustion in battling cancer taking a toll? Is the cancer winning? And you pray more and more.

Living Fully With and Beyond Cancer is a three-day conference held each year for cancer patients, family members and caregivers. During the conference, there will be six wellness workshops, 28 sessions on specific cancer topics, two patient-caregiver couples sharing their experiences and a medical panel who will discuss the latest cancer research. All cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend, regardless of where they received cancer treatments.

This year, for the 18th Living Fully With and Beyond Cancer Conference, Sex and the City television actor Evan Handler, an acute leukemia cancer survivor, will be the opening keynote speaker. When Handler was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago, it was considered incurable. He became a cancer survivor and author of Time on Fire: My Comedy of Terrors.

Leslie Mouton, breast cancer survivor and news anchor and reporter at KSAT-12 in San Antonio, Texas, will also the closing speaker. She will open the Beth Sanders Moore Workshop for Young Breast Cancer Survivors.

The theme of this year's conference is Let the Sun Shine In. The conference takes place from September 7-9, 2006, at the Houston Marriott Westchase in Houston, Texas. Attendance is limited and scholarships are available. For detailed information about the conference, visit the Living Fully With and Beyond Cancer Conference website.

The Northwest Arkansas Morning News is featuring a story about Nicole Young, and her new non-profit Message In A Bottle project, that is providing inspiration to cancer patients and their families with hand-written messages delivered in a bottle.

Young, who is now 33, was first diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a rare eye cancer, three years ago while she was seven months pregnant. The diagnosis of cancer was made after she experienced blindness. Last fall, the doctors found tumors in her liver. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Young says she knows all about the emotional and physical pain that cancer patients and their families go through, and she came up with the idea of writing messages of inspiration and delivering them to patients and their families facing cancer as a way to bring happiness and hope. To date, Young has been delivering her messages in a bottle to local cancer patients but she hopes to be able to do this on a worldwide basis.

To read more about Young, who at the age of 8, wrote, published and delivered the Lakeside News to neighbors featuring interviews, gossip and a comedy column, read Cancer Patient Bottles Inspiration. She needs help to make her messages in a bottle dream a worldwide reality.

For women who undergo hysterectomy as part of cancer treatment in becoming a cancer survivor, Hyster Sisters is a woman-to-woman community support website for hysterectomy recovery. With 93,581 members, 1,726,500 posts and 240,569 threads, Hyster Sisters is a vibrant and active destination for women facing the unique challenges of a hysterectomy seeking compassionate and understanding support.

According to Hyster Sisters creator Kathy Kelley, self-admitted avid internet junkie, after having a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy, she began Hyster Sisters as a hobby eight years ago. "I wanted a way to connect women for support and sharing through a difficult process."

From the humble beginnings of free webspace to a domain of its own, membership in Hyster Sisters remains free for all women who come to it seeking a connection with other women who understand and can relate. Kathy has written a book, and there is a Hyster Sisters store of products to ease the journey through surgery and in surviving the new challenges after a hysterectomy. Featured items include the Hyster Sisters Guide, Swelly Belly Band, Chillow Personal Cooling Device, Deluxe Princess Package, Natural Woman Progesterone Cream and a selection of books.

As a cancer survivor, cancer is never very far away. But there is more to life than cancer, and on National Cancer Survivor's Day, TELETOON is airing two public service announcements, PSAs, created by Gilda's Club's Noogieland members. While each of the seven children, aged 8 through 12, know cancer, Gilda's Club invited them to join an animation workshop to focus on concerns all kids have, and to help them see beyond their cancer experience. Scheduled to air on National Cancer Survivor's Day, the two PSAs deal with peer pressure and bullying and active living.

The wisdom of Gilda's Club, the National Film Board Mediatheque, and Toronto-based digital animation producer 9 Story Entertainment in taking these children out of the often singular focus cancer can cause, and having them reconnect to the every day issues relevant to them and their peers is profound and healing.

TELETOON is Canada's first and only round the clock animation network broadcasting in English and French. "Since the inception of the animation workshops, TELETOON has partnered with arts organizations, with elementary schools, and with kids clubs to promote the idea that all kids, no matter what their background, have an opinion regarding the issues that affect them," says Len Cochrane, TELETOON President. "We are proud and thankful that Gilda's Club, the NFB Mediatheque and 9 Story supported the founding principle of this community-based initiative, and assisted kids with the tools to better express their ideas and opinions."

Yes. We take our experiences with us but we do not need to become our experiences. Life goes on -- as it should.