Has Cancer Been ALL Bad For You?

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  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    unknown said:

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    Letter to Editor
    While it is rarely good news that someone passes away nor is the timing ever good either, the timing of Michael Jackson’s passing was very bad in my opinion.

    Farrah Fawcett died the same day from a form of colorectal cancer that will affect many more of us than super stardom will and she winds up as a footnote on the news on that day. I have not heard a thing about her since.

    The world is obsessed with Michael Jackson. It appears he self-destructed like so many famous people have done. Too bad but it was his choices that caused it. Farrah got the bad luck of getting cancer.

    While he was a big influence on pop culture for a generation, his other life, which I cannot call normal, was marred by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, and an apparent identity crisis judging by how he wanted to look like Diana Ross (except a white version).

    More people will be affected by colorectal cancer than will be affected by becoming a pop star and self-destructing, yet the media insists on raising this person to almost sainthood and I do not see an end in sight.

    Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,920 deaths (25,240 in men and 24,680 in women) during 2009. More research on cancer needs to be done but it is overshadowed by this. It’s sad, many more of us will have to deal with cancer that with superstardom and self-destruction.

    I felt that this was a great opportunity for more people to gain awareness of this horrible disease and possibly have more research done but instead all we hear is how great MJ was.

    Farrah was twice the woman Michael would ever have become.

    Phil G
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    PhillieG said:

    Letter to Editor
    While it is rarely good news that someone passes away nor is the timing ever good either, the timing of Michael Jackson’s passing was very bad in my opinion.

    Farrah Fawcett died the same day from a form of colorectal cancer that will affect many more of us than super stardom will and she winds up as a footnote on the news on that day. I have not heard a thing about her since.

    The world is obsessed with Michael Jackson. It appears he self-destructed like so many famous people have done. Too bad but it was his choices that caused it. Farrah got the bad luck of getting cancer.

    While he was a big influence on pop culture for a generation, his other life, which I cannot call normal, was marred by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, and an apparent identity crisis judging by how he wanted to look like Diana Ross (except a white version).

    More people will be affected by colorectal cancer than will be affected by becoming a pop star and self-destructing, yet the media insists on raising this person to almost sainthood and I do not see an end in sight.

    Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,920 deaths (25,240 in men and 24,680 in women) during 2009. More research on cancer needs to be done but it is overshadowed by this. It’s sad, many more of us will have to deal with cancer that with superstardom and self-destruction.

    I felt that this was a great opportunity for more people to gain awareness of this horrible disease and possibly have more research done but instead all we hear is how great MJ was.

    Farrah was twice the woman Michael would ever have become.

    Phil G

    Great letter Phil.....
    It's a shame that this letter wasn't published in every newspaper in the United States. We need more cancer awareness for all types of cancer.

    I was very sad to read that Farrah had lost her battle as I grew up watching "Charlie's Angels" and always liked her. I was also a little sad about MJ's death because he was a person who I used to like before his drastic changes and public disgraces.

    Again, well said!!

    Glenna
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    PhillieG said:

    Letter to Editor
    While it is rarely good news that someone passes away nor is the timing ever good either, the timing of Michael Jackson’s passing was very bad in my opinion.

    Farrah Fawcett died the same day from a form of colorectal cancer that will affect many more of us than super stardom will and she winds up as a footnote on the news on that day. I have not heard a thing about her since.

    The world is obsessed with Michael Jackson. It appears he self-destructed like so many famous people have done. Too bad but it was his choices that caused it. Farrah got the bad luck of getting cancer.

    While he was a big influence on pop culture for a generation, his other life, which I cannot call normal, was marred by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, and an apparent identity crisis judging by how he wanted to look like Diana Ross (except a white version).

    More people will be affected by colorectal cancer than will be affected by becoming a pop star and self-destructing, yet the media insists on raising this person to almost sainthood and I do not see an end in sight.

    Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,920 deaths (25,240 in men and 24,680 in women) during 2009. More research on cancer needs to be done but it is overshadowed by this. It’s sad, many more of us will have to deal with cancer that with superstardom and self-destruction.

    I felt that this was a great opportunity for more people to gain awareness of this horrible disease and possibly have more research done but instead all we hear is how great MJ was.

    Farrah was twice the woman Michael would ever have become.

    Phil G

    I confess, when the first
    I confess, when the first mention of MJ was made I didn't know who that was. I forgot all about him.

    I think it was tragic about Farrah. She even went to Germany for some cure that didn't work.
  • PhillieG said:

    Letter to Editor
    While it is rarely good news that someone passes away nor is the timing ever good either, the timing of Michael Jackson’s passing was very bad in my opinion.

    Farrah Fawcett died the same day from a form of colorectal cancer that will affect many more of us than super stardom will and she winds up as a footnote on the news on that day. I have not heard a thing about her since.

    The world is obsessed with Michael Jackson. It appears he self-destructed like so many famous people have done. Too bad but it was his choices that caused it. Farrah got the bad luck of getting cancer.

    While he was a big influence on pop culture for a generation, his other life, which I cannot call normal, was marred by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, and an apparent identity crisis judging by how he wanted to look like Diana Ross (except a white version).

    More people will be affected by colorectal cancer than will be affected by becoming a pop star and self-destructing, yet the media insists on raising this person to almost sainthood and I do not see an end in sight.

    Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,920 deaths (25,240 in men and 24,680 in women) during 2009. More research on cancer needs to be done but it is overshadowed by this. It’s sad, many more of us will have to deal with cancer that with superstardom and self-destruction.

    I felt that this was a great opportunity for more people to gain awareness of this horrible disease and possibly have more research done but instead all we hear is how great MJ was.

    Farrah was twice the woman Michael would ever have become.

    Phil G

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    PhillieG said:

    Letter to Editor
    While it is rarely good news that someone passes away nor is the timing ever good either, the timing of Michael Jackson’s passing was very bad in my opinion.

    Farrah Fawcett died the same day from a form of colorectal cancer that will affect many more of us than super stardom will and she winds up as a footnote on the news on that day. I have not heard a thing about her since.

    The world is obsessed with Michael Jackson. It appears he self-destructed like so many famous people have done. Too bad but it was his choices that caused it. Farrah got the bad luck of getting cancer.

    While he was a big influence on pop culture for a generation, his other life, which I cannot call normal, was marred by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, and an apparent identity crisis judging by how he wanted to look like Diana Ross (except a white version).

    More people will be affected by colorectal cancer than will be affected by becoming a pop star and self-destructing, yet the media insists on raising this person to almost sainthood and I do not see an end in sight.

    Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,920 deaths (25,240 in men and 24,680 in women) during 2009. More research on cancer needs to be done but it is overshadowed by this. It’s sad, many more of us will have to deal with cancer that with superstardom and self-destruction.

    I felt that this was a great opportunity for more people to gain awareness of this horrible disease and possibly have more research done but instead all we hear is how great MJ was.

    Farrah was twice the woman Michael would ever have become.

    Phil G

    Thanks Everyone
    I really felt it was one of those moments that rarely come along where many people could have become more informed about something that really could affect them. Then it was lost to America's fascination with celebrity. I know Farrah was a celebrity too but this could have possibly been very good "press" for cancer awareness.

    Such is life...

    I've become one of those letter writers to my local paper. I'm good for maybe 1 letter to the editor per year. I could probably write one a week. I just sent one in today that has to do with the screwed up garbage pickup that they have around here. Any time there is a holiday (July 4th) it screws up everything. I did one once about a possibly rabid skunk that was in our neighborhood. I asked my wife to call the town to see what they could do about this. It was roaming the neighborhood walking in circles during the day. You rarely see skunks in the day and seeing it going in circles concerned me. There are kids and pets that play outside. The town said they don't handle that and gave us the number of someone who would take care of it for a price. I know, WTF???? It was like I was setting up the skunk to be whacked by one of the Sopranos or something not to mention, THAT is why we pay taxes (I thought). So I wrote a letter explaining what happened and lo and behold, the following Monday the town Supervisor was calling the house wanting to speak with me. I told them I had nothing more to say about it, they gave us their solution the previous week.

    I know, Get a life Phil!
    ;-)
  • PhillieG said:

    Letter to Editor
    While it is rarely good news that someone passes away nor is the timing ever good either, the timing of Michael Jackson’s passing was very bad in my opinion.

    Farrah Fawcett died the same day from a form of colorectal cancer that will affect many more of us than super stardom will and she winds up as a footnote on the news on that day. I have not heard a thing about her since.

    The world is obsessed with Michael Jackson. It appears he self-destructed like so many famous people have done. Too bad but it was his choices that caused it. Farrah got the bad luck of getting cancer.

    While he was a big influence on pop culture for a generation, his other life, which I cannot call normal, was marred by allegations of child abuse, financial problems, and an apparent identity crisis judging by how he wanted to look like Diana Ross (except a white version).

    More people will be affected by colorectal cancer than will be affected by becoming a pop star and self-destructing, yet the media insists on raising this person to almost sainthood and I do not see an end in sight.

    Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,920 deaths (25,240 in men and 24,680 in women) during 2009. More research on cancer needs to be done but it is overshadowed by this. It’s sad, many more of us will have to deal with cancer that with superstardom and self-destruction.

    I felt that this was a great opportunity for more people to gain awareness of this horrible disease and possibly have more research done but instead all we hear is how great MJ was.

    Farrah was twice the woman Michael would ever have become.

    Phil G

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    PhillieG said:

    Thanks Everyone
    I really felt it was one of those moments that rarely come along where many people could have become more informed about something that really could affect them. Then it was lost to America's fascination with celebrity. I know Farrah was a celebrity too but this could have possibly been very good "press" for cancer awareness.

    Such is life...

    I've become one of those letter writers to my local paper. I'm good for maybe 1 letter to the editor per year. I could probably write one a week. I just sent one in today that has to do with the screwed up garbage pickup that they have around here. Any time there is a holiday (July 4th) it screws up everything. I did one once about a possibly rabid skunk that was in our neighborhood. I asked my wife to call the town to see what they could do about this. It was roaming the neighborhood walking in circles during the day. You rarely see skunks in the day and seeing it going in circles concerned me. There are kids and pets that play outside. The town said they don't handle that and gave us the number of someone who would take care of it for a price. I know, WTF???? It was like I was setting up the skunk to be whacked by one of the Sopranos or something not to mention, THAT is why we pay taxes (I thought). So I wrote a letter explaining what happened and lo and behold, the following Monday the town Supervisor was calling the house wanting to speak with me. I told them I had nothing more to say about it, they gave us their solution the previous week.

    I know, Get a life Phil!
    ;-)

    Rabid skunk???
    Even in our little "backwards" state of NH we have agencies that will deal with any wild life problems. Any concerns about rabid animals are dealt with by our Fish and Game department immediately with no charge to the caller.

    Phil, it seems you do have a life - helping others and speaking up about issues that many others prefer to sweep under the rug. Keep writing to the editor, maybe someday people will finally set up and pay attention ;-)

    Take care,
    Glenna
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Glenna M said:

    Rabid skunk???
    Even in our little "backwards" state of NH we have agencies that will deal with any wild life problems. Any concerns about rabid animals are dealt with by our Fish and Game department immediately with no charge to the caller.

    Phil, it seems you do have a life - helping others and speaking up about issues that many others prefer to sweep under the rug. Keep writing to the editor, maybe someday people will finally set up and pay attention ;-)

    Take care,
    Glenna

    Thanks Glenna
    It may have been some sort of administrative mix-up but it wasn't like we were calling because a squirrel was in our attic (or bats in our belfry)
    -phil
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    On the subject of cancer being all bad...
    "If it weren't for cancer, I'd say I have the perfect life. If it weren't for cancer, would I even realize this?"
    ~me

    I thought this a lot in the beginning. I still think of it at times but not like I first did. I imagine it's been said before but I like the thought and it rang true for me.
  • PhillieG said:

    On the subject of cancer being all bad...
    "If it weren't for cancer, I'd say I have the perfect life. If it weren't for cancer, would I even realize this?"
    ~me

    I thought this a lot in the beginning. I still think of it at times but not like I first did. I imagine it's been said before but I like the thought and it rang true for me.

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  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    unknown said:

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    Don't understand how you don't understand
    I did appreciate my life and thought it was great pre-cancer.
    It's just many times greater than it was before. I guess either you feel it or you don't. No right or wrong or anything, it's just how I am and how you are.
    Cancer has done a lot for me.
    -p
    PS: also, maybe I didn't totally realize what I had. That certainly is possible. I've always been grateful what I have and felt I did not take too much for granted. I know one thing that was a big change for me was prioritizing my time. There were times B.C. (before cancer) where if my kids wanted me to see something or do something I might have put them off. Now I will stop what I'm doing and enjoy the moment with them. Work can most always wait, sometimes you don't get that extra time with your kids and I don't only mean dying from cancer. I mean that any one of us can leave our homes on any given day and not make it back there. I know it's given me a better understanding of my own mortality. That's very important to me.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    unknown said:

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    Evil?
    I think it's one of those inexplicable things. Maybe it's like having faith in God. I am agnostic on a good day and atheist the rest of the time. I do not understand how someone can really believe in God like how most religions want us to believe it yet millions and millions of people believe in something they can not see or fully understand. You either got it, or you don't.

    I do not think that fighting it and looking for cures have anything to do with this. We are all going to die so looking at things how you just stated you can just think "why bother being born if you're just going to die"? I think we can find out a lot about ourselves in times like this. Generally I am an optimistic person, maybe that has something to do with how I approach this. I also know that I have basically 2 options. Accept it, live with it and make the most of it or feel like life is screwing me and wait for things to get worse and die and not enjoy the time I have left.

    Life's not fair, cancer is a big reminder of that. I certainly feel there are people who are more "deserving" of getting cancer than I was. There are some real nasty SOB's out there who are in good health, why don't they get cancer? Like I said, life's not fair but that's life.

    OK, World Cup soccer final match is on.
    Gotta go
  • PhillieG said:

    Evil?
    I think it's one of those inexplicable things. Maybe it's like having faith in God. I am agnostic on a good day and atheist the rest of the time. I do not understand how someone can really believe in God like how most religions want us to believe it yet millions and millions of people believe in something they can not see or fully understand. You either got it, or you don't.

    I do not think that fighting it and looking for cures have anything to do with this. We are all going to die so looking at things how you just stated you can just think "why bother being born if you're just going to die"? I think we can find out a lot about ourselves in times like this. Generally I am an optimistic person, maybe that has something to do with how I approach this. I also know that I have basically 2 options. Accept it, live with it and make the most of it or feel like life is screwing me and wait for things to get worse and die and not enjoy the time I have left.

    Life's not fair, cancer is a big reminder of that. I certainly feel there are people who are more "deserving" of getting cancer than I was. There are some real nasty SOB's out there who are in good health, why don't they get cancer? Like I said, life's not fair but that's life.

    OK, World Cup soccer final match is on.
    Gotta go

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  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    unknown said:

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    Yes we do
    I FINALLY just got around to watching the movie Avatar. Very powerful. It reminded me a lot of Native American and their spirituality. That makes sense to me, the other stuff does not. But to each their own.
  • PhillieG said:

    Yes we do
    I FINALLY just got around to watching the movie Avatar. Very powerful. It reminded me a lot of Native American and their spirituality. That makes sense to me, the other stuff does not. But to each their own.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    unknown said:

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    That is True
    They do believe in The Great Spirit. It is described much differently than what I've read about the Christian God. The early white settlers certainly did not see any similarity with their God and the Indian's Great Spirit. The idea of a unifying life force is an idea that makes sense to me. I believe there is a common life force in all of us. Maybe I find their way more appealing because it talks about being in harmony with nature more than he majority of religious texts I've seen.
    One page I referenced said this:
    "The Native American is a spiritual being with a deep rooted faith in a "higher power" who is the creator of all things. Called the Great Spirit, Grandfather, and tribal names such as Wakan Tanka by the Sioux, the Indian has always honored the ultimate power of their supreme being.

    They believed in an order to things and taught their children from birth to follow the beliefs of their ancestors. When the white race overtook the land they also attempted to convert the Native Americans to their own religious views. This was met with great resistance from the People and they held tightly to their faith in the Great Spirit. Ceremonies were banned, religious artifacts were burned and the People were forbidden to worship in the ways of their ancestors but still they cried out to the only god they'd ever known.

    I often wonder what will happen when we stand before our creator and discover that the "God" of the whites and "The Great Spirit" are one and the same. Who will explain what was done to His red children in His name?

    From Wakan Tanka, The Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things---the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals---and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery.

    Kinship with all creatures of the earth, sky, and water was a real and active principle. In the animal and bird world there existed a brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them. And so close did some of the Lakotas come to their feathered and furred friends that in true brotherhood they spoke a common tongue."


    There seems to be more respect for all life in the Native American way of thinking to me.