Your personal expiration date 11-21-20xx?

ratface
ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Chromosone technology that could predict how long you have left to live has been in the mainstream media for several weeks now and the common question by news people is, "Would you really want to know when"? Everyone always answers absolutely not! I was wondering if we collectively were any different for obvious reasons. I am leaning toward, I would want to know because I'm a planner and the information would simplify many life and financial decisions? I would see the forest for the trees so to speak. Which way would you go? The above date is one day after my birthdate?
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Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    20XX
    I would hope that you have more than 7 1/2 years left....

    Anyways, I don't really want to know...

    There's so many variables that might effect that anyways, I'm sure it's rather dynamic. Besides, I wouldn't want it to consume me...

    Best,
    John
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    20XX
    I would hope that you have more than 7 1/2 years left....

    Anyways, I don't really want to know...

    There's so many variables that might effect that anyways, I'm sure it's rather dynamic. Besides, I wouldn't want it to consume me...

    Best,
    John

    I was thinking we were possibly a little skewed...
    since most of us have had to come to terms with the date coming around quicker than we anticipated. I'm kind of living on gravy for the moment or maybe from now to whenever. There is currently a post about 'Waiting for the other shoe to drop" John, would it really consume us or would it provide relief? We are kind of consumed now with the whole chronicity of it all? Does it take away the "Sword of Damocles"?
  • luv2cut1
    luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
    #4
    I Would Not Want to Know
    It would definitely consume me, and it cannot predict such things as getting hit by a bus or the Joplin tornado. I do understand why some would want to know though.

    Myka
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #5
    Don't care to know
    Ratface,

    I wouldn't want to know. I have already made all the arrangements for the time of my passing. Not that I think it will be soon, I planned it before I got cancer. I figured it best to have everything ready for that time when it comes. Less for my wife to have to deal with and the rest of the family. I am in my mid point 60's. I plan to live longer then what George Burns and Bob Hope did, may or may not happen, but that is my plan. Of course the Commandant in the Sky might call me to duty before that.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Dazey
    Dazey Member Posts: 91
    #6
    nope
    nope - don't want to know about personal expiration dates.
    I keep my head where my feet are and always remember that the awesome sandwich I had yesterday, was delicious and made with wasabi mustard - expiration date of 11/8/09. I still have half of that bottle left who knows what lies ahead! Even if my herbs and spices are beyond the "assigned" expiration dates, I am still cooking (living) and cooking (living) real good! Life is good! Dazey
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #7
    Expiration Date
    Facebook had a survey that you could fill out to see when you would expire. Based upon the survey, I died 7 years ago.
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #8
    SASH said:

    Expiration Date
    Facebook had a survey that you could fill out to see when you would expire. Based upon the survey, I died 7 years ago.

    I thought I knew
    When I was much younger, it seemed that folks on my father's side of the family died youngish (average age of 50) and I seemed to take after that side more. It also seemed that there was cancer on both sides. I was pretty sure I wouldn't live to see 60.

    Then, a combination of family history research and some new discoveries (plus a random comment from my OB-Gyn) wiped most of that certainty away. My father's side had a genetic kidney disease, discovered in the last few decades - it looked like cancer because it caused tumors that spread, but it wasn't. (A killer, though, which is why no one lived long.) I recently got fairly good proof that I do not carry that gene, so I'm safe from that. The cancer on my mother's side of the family was also likely misdiagnosed.

    My father died from glioblastoma - not hereditary so I'm no more likely to get it than anyone else. In the last decade or so, I've realized my likely expiration date is a good 40-50 years off. It rearranged me viewpoint, to say the least.

    It was thus pretty hard to consider that I might have to face those years without the love of my life (yes, I mean my husband) back when he was diagnosed. I'd like to think that, now that he is NED, he has the same expectancy as I do; he is otherwise so much healthier than I am.

    However, one thing we all learn during treatment - one day at a time.

    Nope, I don't want to know the expiration date, for either of us. It's not today, which is what matters most.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    When will I expire!

    To me it does not make a different to know or not to know, I would still live my life the same way as I do now. I am already 9 years passed my expiration date anyway, so as one might say I am living on borrowed time and I plan to live a lot longer on it…lol

    Good post
    Hondo
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #10
    Tomorrow
    It's always been tomorrow anyway. I've never planned on dying today but tomorrow wouldn't be so bad. I guess I'd rather not know which tomorrow. I'd be ok with knowing your date though.

    Bob
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    ratface said:

    I was thinking we were possibly a little skewed...
    since most of us have had to come to terms with the date coming around quicker than we anticipated. I'm kind of living on gravy for the moment or maybe from now to whenever. There is currently a post about 'Waiting for the other shoe to drop" John, would it really consume us or would it provide relief? We are kind of consumed now with the whole chronicity of it all? Does it take away the "Sword of Damocles"?

    When
    It's going to happen eventually, preferably a long time from now. Yes, I'd rather not know when that time is.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    SASH said:

    Expiration Date
    Facebook had a survey that you could fill out to see when you would expire. Based upon the survey, I died 7 years ago.

    SASH....
    Sorry, I just didn't have the heart to tell you......

    LOL, glad you are still here with us....

    Best,
    John
  • tonyb
    tonyb Member Posts: 69
    #13
    Goodness no !!!!
    I am content with the fact that God chooses the moment of my demise.
    I am also content with only him knowing when that moment will be!!!!
    I think that is part of his merciful nature that we don't have to know !!
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #14
    What if they're wrong?
    What if you woke up the following day and were still alive and kicking? If you were scheduled to kick the bucket on, say, May 21 and then found yourself still posting on this board on May 24, would they quickly revise the date to October 21? Oh wait, maybe I'm confusing some things here...Cheers

    Jimbo
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #15
    Jimbo55 said:

    What if they're wrong?
    What if you woke up the following day and were still alive and kicking? If you were scheduled to kick the bucket on, say, May 21 and then found yourself still posting on this board on May 24, would they quickly revise the date to October 21? Oh wait, maybe I'm confusing some things here...Cheers

    Jimbo

    lack of control
    or misplaced perception of control is what scares me the most. Cancer takes that away or so it seems. I wonder if that's true? Do I have more control of my life post treatment? I'm a bit surprised by the responses as I guessed there would be more who would want to know. Would Knowing foster control or lunacy? Perhaps those of you who cited religion or science are correct? I'm beginning to come around and find your responses encouraging as I clearly am more in control of my diet, exercise routine, and personal and social relationships.
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #16
    ratface said:

    lack of control
    or misplaced perception of control is what scares me the most. Cancer takes that away or so it seems. I wonder if that's true? Do I have more control of my life post treatment? I'm a bit surprised by the responses as I guessed there would be more who would want to know. Would Knowing foster control or lunacy? Perhaps those of you who cited religion or science are correct? I'm beginning to come around and find your responses encouraging as I clearly am more in control of my diet, exercise routine, and personal and social relationships.

    End of Days
    I wouldn't mind knowing. Plans and arrangements are the main thing, as I didn't have a da#n one before all this happened. That control thing. Besides I could take off for a while and spend my last days fishing and fishing and fishing, and oh, spending my kid's inheritance.

    Steve
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #17
    No way
    I would not want to know because as the date approached, I would be living in fear and dread. A book I read recently (Cutting for Stone) stated that Americans seem to think death is optional unlike Africans who see it every day. Karen
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #18
    buzz99 said:

    No way
    I would not want to know because as the date approached, I would be living in fear and dread. A book I read recently (Cutting for Stone) stated that Americans seem to think death is optional unlike Africans who see it every day. Karen

    Hi Karen

    But if you know when and where it will happen you could always move to some were else and change the circumstance, what do you think

    Hondo
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #19
    Hondo said:

    Hi Karen

    But if you know when and where it will happen you could always move to some were else and change the circumstance, what do you think

    Hondo

    All good posts...Sash and
    All good posts...Sash and Jimbo, I agree with most definitely!
    stacey
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #20
    staceya said:

    All good posts...Sash and
    All good posts...Sash and Jimbo, I agree with most definitely!
    stacey

    just so many 'what ifs'
    I'm guessing we all have a price, what if as the song goes, you made a deal with the devil, guaranteed 10, 15, 20, 25 years of life but you have to know the date and suffer the agony/lunacy? I'd sign up today for the 25 year plan!
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #21
    ratface said:

    just so many 'what ifs'
    I'm guessing we all have a price, what if as the song goes, you made a deal with the devil, guaranteed 10, 15, 20, 25 years of life but you have to know the date and suffer the agony/lunacy? I'd sign up today for the 25 year plan!

    Nope, not even if there were
    Nope, not even if there were a guarantee, Rat Face. No deal with the devil for me. I cannot say I'm afraid of dying, am afraid of dying in pain tho or dying scared and alone. I also don't want to leave Nizzy. Only because no one would take care of him like I do.

    I would never want to know that info. I can't say I am actually scared of 'death' tho. I love each day like it would be my last anyway. I have done that since I watched my brother pass away at just shy of 21. Drives home that 'life is too short' saying. Eat, Drink, and be Merry...and all that. ..

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