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#1
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Cancer
It has taken me a month to start this topic.
My friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given no hope by the medical staff. True to the diagnosis, he lived about 6 weeks after being diagnosed. I was able to see him one last time and that was it. I still have a lot of grief, but I don't break down anymore. He would want his life celebrated. Brian, (48), left behind a wife and three teenaged daughters. I feel for them and have pledged to do what I can to help them. We are entering into a business arrangement and I have volunteered to assist in 10th and 11th grade math tutoring. By the way, Brian loved his 1993 400SEL. It is a very nice car that epitomizes the S class car. Brian also loved his fine red wines, his unicycle, ultralight, BMW motorcycle and his friends. It strikes me that as a species, we have not done enough to combat cancer. Sure, survival rates for some types of it are quite good. But, if you think about it, the best "cure" happens when the offending part can be lopped off. Even chemo is a brute force approach. Not that I belittle the efforts of the medical establishment, but it's obviously not enough. I am going to be seriously increasing my donations to cancer research and I urge all of us to do the same. As well, both of my children may commit themselves to the research field. Please think about this message and try all you can to help defeat the disease too. Thanks.
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VR 1967 250SL |
#2
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Someone very close to me died of cancer a few years ago. Chemo is a very crude tool for many. For my friend it was a baindaid laced with poison. Meaning, it killed the good and bad cells all at the same time. It's a shotgun approach at best that does prolong life but also kiiled this person in the end with kidneys and other organs going bad. It makes me very sad to think about it. Kind of reminds me of the days of blood letting and amputations as a commonly used tool. Chemo is a very crude method.You have reminded me to donate though.
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#3
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My mom had ovarian cancer when I was 12, and she almost died. Her chemotherapy was tough to say the least. She lost her hair, weight, dignity, and almost her life. I talked to her today on the phone, and I am always mindful that I have a chance to speak to her still. I am sorry for the loss of your friend, and hope you can find something postive out of it in the long run. God Bless.
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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new) 1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore) 1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have) 1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold |
#4
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I know first hand of the speed that cancer can work. My Mom had 4 months from diagnosis to the end, about the same for my wife's Father (pancreatic cancer as well).
I feel for your loss and I agree that there is nowhere near enough money donated to try and find a true cure.
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Mike Tangas '73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72 '02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel Non illegitemae carborundum. |
#5
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Sorry about your friend. My grandmother died of lung cancer, my aunt has mild skin cancer and so does my grandfather, they usually get checked every year and get it removed.
My dad reads a lot about how doctors find some way that you can combat cancer and they get their license pulled. I know that some of the remedies dont really work, but some of them do, and I have heard first hand stories of things like that. Maybe they dont want cancer to be curable, like Aids and other things, because I know there has to be a cure somewhere.
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Current Stable: 1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey. Former Mercedes in the Stable: 1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now) 1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold 1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold 1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold 1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold 1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020) 1992 500E 156k mi sold etc. |
#6
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Cancer is just one of many diseases and illnesses we as humans need to find cures for. But I am a little ticked off at the FDA since I feel they are a little to blame for the time its taking to find a treatment or cure for Cancer.
I watched a program a while back on TV... I think it was on CBS(not 100%)... anyways, there is a doctor in Texas with a Polish last name, trying to remember his name( I will post it once I find it)... anyways, he has his own way of treating some forms of cancer, but the FDA would not allow him to try it. After some time with parents of children who are given little hope of living much longer fighting the FDA to allow the doctor to attempt to treat them, the FDA allowed him do a couple of treatments. Amazingly, the children he treated are or were doing fine after the treatment. I don't know how they are doing presently since the program was on LOOOOOONG time ago. just my 2 cents. |
#7
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My mother died of colon cancer back in 92. She was an MD (general practicioner), watched what she ate and was a marathon runner. She still got cancer. Lived for around 7 years after initial diagnosis. She did lots of research on cancer and told me that there is a large emotional component. It has to do with meeting your needs. She was one to always take care of others before herself (unfortunately a culturally reinforced behavior I still struggle with). So her words of advice to me was that is of paramount importance to make sure you are emotionally taking care of yourself. She said that cancer is often the body's way of "getting your attention" and forcing you into a stituation where you have to focus on yourself. It also made her have to elvauate western medical practices. It opened her mind to learning and ultimately blending eastern with western medicine. While she was well enough she learned and became licensed in accupunture and specialized in treating cancer patients.
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#8
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Sometimes reality slaps you in the face. My Uncle died of colon cancer when I was 6 yrs. old, but I was a little young to fully understand then what had happened. Last year a friend had a stroke. She had just finished her Master's and everything seemed to be going well for her when all of a sudden she suffered a massive stroke. She was in a coma for over a weeek, but made it. She'll never ever be "normal" again. Makes you wonder what anyone does to deserve this, or any "bad" thing which happens to them ever. Makes you appreciate life and living a lot more when something like this happens to someone you know. Nowadays I take the time to watch the sunset, work with kids a little more, and eat a little healthier.
Kuan |
#9
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I too have lost friends and loved ones to this scourge. I don't know your age, I'm 53. I agree that we need to do much more, but if you're much younger than I am, you may not realize that there have been great strides forward with this. Twenty years or so ago, when you heard of someone having cancer, you just knew that it was over. Anyone beating it was an extremely rare occasion.
My Mom is an eight year survivor and really doing great. Although will stay have a long way to go, be thankful that science has gotten us as far as they have. My statement here is in no way meant to be any discouragement toward donating and fighting on, but rather a reminder that we should be thankful for the progress that has already been made. May God Bless, |
#10
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Larry, I am 40 years old. Logically, you are right about the
survival rate, but it seems meaningless when those close to you die suddenly, (or otherwise). Even at that, my first post was very tame compared to some that I thought of writing. In my grief, I had real anger with nowhere to express it. I hoped to not belittle the efforts of the medical researchers. I looked up the stats and there is real hope for some types of cancer. Leukemia is not the threat it once was, for example. There still are tragic cases but the research is helping many patients. I feel powerless to help except by donating to the cause.
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VR 1967 250SL |
#11
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My sympathies.
I agree with Larry that there have been strides made in treatment. That's of little comfort to someone who loses someone close, though. I have experience as a care-giver to a cancer patient. My ex-wife is in her 7th year of survival and doing very well, thankfully. (We decided to separate just after the fifth anniversary of her diagnosis of breast cancer.) My son's grandmother and great-grandmother (her mother) are concurrently losing battles against cancer. He is very, very close to both and it is quite difficult for him at 13 years old to cope with the thought that they might not be around when he turns 14. There is nothing fair about cancer to either the person with cancer or her network of friends and family. My daughter was 18 months old when her mother was diagnosed and it was incredibly difficult to wonder whether she would have a mother a few years down the road. Her mother vowed to survive long enough to watch her daughter walk into first grade the first day. She has survived to be able to watch our daughter go to first days all the way through 3rd grade (but for a variety of reasons, has missed them all so far - can't say much for her priorities). For any of you living around Phoenix, Arizona, there will be an event in support of leukemia/lymphoma research at the Tempe Town Lake on September 20th. There are other walks in Arizona communities throughout September/October. Visit www.lightthenight.org for details. Arizona State basketball player Justin Allen, a survivor himself, will be on hand on September 20th. Justin, listed at 6'-7" and 225 pounds, will be a key reserve for the Sun Devils' hoops squad in his second back from a medical redshirt year for treatment. Athletic Department staff tell me he's bigger, stronger, faster and healthier than before his diagnosis. (See my signature for another high-profile example of beating cancer.) Cancer can be beaten, but it's a rough experience.
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David His: 2003 Dodge Durango SLT 2002 BMW E39 530i Sport 1988 Mercedes 300TE Hers: 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1999 E430 |
#12
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Let me vent on this.. My Dad was told that he had prostrate cancer seven years ago. The surgeon told him not to be too concerned since it was a slow cancer and that at his age the "treatment" was to "watch and wait". He also told us that "most likely he will die from some other cause before his cancer gets him". Well that hasn't happened yet. He is now in the advanced stages of this cancer and very sick. He finally begged his doctor to try chemo and it's taking it's toll on this 81 year old man. He still has hope but it fades a little every day. It's sad to see. Every week we sit in the chemo lab and I see ten people sitting in chairs desperately clinging to life. They are of different races and income levels but in this room they are all equal. Some will live most will probably die. I wish science had the answers and someday it will. One thing I can be sure of though, if money could save you, then Linda McCartney would be alive.
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