Family Health Histories

With such a large family, I had 14 biological aunts and uncles and Bill had 21 I can`t know what all the health problems were but will relate the ones I remember.  I know heart disease is on both sides and alcoholism does seem to be a problem.  The Balks are all hard of hearing.  Mother had severe osteoporosis.  One Davis died as an infant and one died at age 5 in the influenza epidemic.  She reportedly was a smart child and ministered to sick relatives by bringing them lemons etc.  One Short died as an infant.  One Phillips and one Balk had mild forms of epilepsy.  Aunt Loretta`s was brought on by an injury she suffered as a toddler trying to escape an onery calf.  One Phillips died of cirrhosis of the liver.  One Phillips aunt suffered from emphysema tho she never smoked a day in her life.  Not sure if husband did probably because most men did at that time.  Most on both sides lived to ripe old age of 80 tho my grandfathers died of massive heart attacks at age 65-70.  Grandma Davis was diagnosed with as Aunt Nell called it cancer of the female organs at age 55-60.  She recovered and deemed it a miracle tho she was not overly religious and lived to age 96.

  Some others in the famiy had some form of cancer.  Bud Davis died at age 34 with goiter and throat cancer.  Grandma Pearl knew he wouldn`t live long because he was born with a veil over his head, part of the placenta covered his head as he was born and according to old wive`s  tale that was not good.  Granny Fannie died in her 60`s with a stomach problem that she was scared to go to Dr. for-maybe uterine cancer.  Bernard Balk died after fighting throat and mouth cancer.  He had a tumor under his tongue in his 50`s and quit smoking cold turkey then in his late 70`s he was diagnosed with a tumor around the esophagus and refused any extra treatment.  Juanita Balk died of pancreatic cancer in her 80`s at that point she announced that is what her mother May Phillips died of.  We didn`t dream that.  No one talked about it.  A Phillips first cousin, Leon Harman, died of brain tumor leaving a couple young sons.  Uncle Leo Balk died of brain tumor at a young age.  Aunt Johnnie Belle Davis Cook died of a form of stomach cancer in her 50`s.

Why did I choose to write about this?  It may give insight into family health issues and I was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer after only very subtle problems.  Warning girls-the Pap Smear does not detect uterine cancer.  The good news it was contained and will not require any radiation.  Aren`t I glad I purchased that cancer policy 10 years ago over Bill`s objection?  Don`t worry be happy!