i had Hodgkins Diseas and radiation therapy to the chest over 18 years ago. While I am greatful it was successful I am now diagnosed with radiation induced coronary artery disease. I will be having bypass surgery next week. Anyone else had this issue?

While I personally haven't had the issue, I've heard about it many many times. This is the legacy of Hodgkin's lymphoma-- either the bleomycin in a combination chemotherapy regimen causes cardiovascular toxicity or the radiotherapy received leads to secondary cancer later in off, often either breast cancer or a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I don't know your age but I wonder if anyone told you 18 years ago that a bypass may be necessary down the road because of the radiation you're receiving.

Probably not. But if they had, would you have rejected it? Probably not. One aspect of the incredible advances made against Hodgkin's over the last 30-40 years is that researchers and clinicians are starting to consider the long-term harm of the curative therapies involved in treating the cancer, and adjust the chemo or radiation accordingly. A few decades ago, the fact that doctors could treat Hodgkin's patients at all--- regardless of the longterm consequences--- was cause for celebration. No one thought about the future.

I'm sorry you're having to undergo this serious procedure, and I understand your expression of gratitude, but I don't think it means you have no right or business getting angry over the fact. It seems like a tough tightrope to have to walk. I wish you luck with your surgery.

Ross