Celine Dion

Barbaraek said:

ESPN reported today

that NFL analyst Chris Mortenson is taking a sabbatical to battle stage IV throat cancer. I believe we are seeing an uptick in incidence for head and neck cancer - especially those that are HPV+. While it is discouraging to learn of more new cases, perhaps it means there will be more research and treatment breakthoughs.

Barbara

I go into a funk when there is a celebrity cancer death, I do not know why.  Beau Biden, David Bowie (includes being a huge fan), Alan Rickman (big fan too), Grizzly Adams, Celine Dion's family...I do not understand the reason they have this effect on me.  I think it scares me because they can afford any treatment any where and sends me into the "why me and not them " train of thought.  It just sucks.  

Sonja.K said:

Celebrity Cancer

I go into a funk when there is a celebrity cancer death, I do not know why.  Beau Biden, David Bowie (includes being a huge fan), Alan Rickman (big fan too), Grizzly Adams, Celine Dion's family...I do not understand the reason they have this effect on me.  I think it scares me because they can afford any treatment any where and sends me into the "why me and not them " train of thought.  It just sucks.  

...to go into a funk when a celebrity dies of cancer. I've been in one myself, after hearing about Bowie and Rickman. It seems to be worse for me the closer I am to treatments, and I'm still in the middle of them so it hit me pretty hard. Ultimately I try to remind myself that there's no way for any of us to know what will happen until it either happens or doesn't. All we can do is keep living life in a way that keeps us connected to the things that really matter to us. 

Kent Cass said:

Another...

I could make a comment about another famous person being diagnosed, or dying, from H&N, as it's just so depressing that news like that shouldn't be on this forum, but...no need to apologize. Also read that an ex-Boston Celtic basketball player just died from throat C. Hey, it's C, and just a wake-up call as to the only thing it has planned for us, and why we fight the fight against it.

Had heard about Celine's loss. Her version of Oh Holy Night is one that still hits me every time I watch it on You Tube. So moving.

As for why it gets to us when we hear about celebs/famous people, I think it was when Robin Williams died that I reasoned it out with a co-worker: how many people do you have over to your house and sit with you for an hour or two in your living room keeping you company? Well, that's what actors, and such, do when we watch their movies or television shows. How many times has John Wayne been in your living room? Or Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra or Bob Hope? 

kcass

Did I miss something,  I am not sure about your comment, "being depressing on this forum"?  Cancer is super annoyingly everywhere, commercials,  fb, even the"guide" on U-verse, the Cancer Centers seem to have a couple of their own channels.  It is hard to forget it when it is everywhere.     That is an interesting point about celebrities being in our living room.  I guess we look for what burdens us so as a cancer patient I notice  "cancer " when perhaps someone with depression notices that.  I liked someone's point that maybe with all the famous people research will increase.  David Bowie and Alan Rickman will be missed by many.  

the_wife said:

celeb cancer

I was struck with Celine's story when she was taking care of her husband and shared a little bit of her caregiving experience with doing the tube feedings, etc. I see her as a beautiful brave soul who was dedicated to her hubby. That's the main reason I posted, but now that I've thought about it, I realized there's more to it. 

I don't know if Celine's husband had HPV related throat cancer, but for me, when I read of celebs and public figures who have HPV related cancers, it takes away some of the stigma that I peronally feel is associated with HPV cancer. We know that this type of cancer is sexually transmitted, although I've heard it actually becomes a part of our DNA. About 80% of the population has it, but only 4% actually develop cancer. It's so scary because it doesn't show up until later. I think everyone needs to know about this because it is going to become an epidemic. 

I think that awareness is needed because this isn't the kind of cancer where you get a pink ribbon when you cross the finish line and then you're "all done" at the end of the race and everyone cheers. Instead, this is the kind of cancer with side effects that last long after treatment is over, that are life altering and not in a good way. I'm preaching to the choir, I know, but I think we should be able to do better than what we are offered now.

We're seeing more and more cases in the media (most who are survivors like us and go on to live longer lives) and I agree with Barbara - maybe this will lead to more research and attention. 

 

It is part of our DNA as my doctor told we all and sometimes it just goes wild.I had a tumor under the tounge and had a little over half removed two yrs ago.He told me could of been from many things.HPV,smoking,drinking even from the hot plastic bottles we leave in the car and drink from.Mine was a virus that lead to a cyst to the tumor and was my fault as I thought it would just go away.Am lucky as it hasn't gone any farther