I've had a lot of thoughts in my head of late (here, here, and here), spurred by the recent passing of Punk Rock Mommy.
And as I was chatting with my dear friend, I drew a connection.
I first was thinking back to one of my favorite Star Trek quotes, "How we face Death is at least as important as how we face Life."
And that's true, because for many, Death comes unexpectedly. Unplanned. Unanticipated.
Yet, there are those who know that Death is coming.
They've been told they are going to die. Not exactly when, but... It WILL happen.
Then, they get told that Death is soon approaching. Probably within a month, but no other details.
And finally, you know... Today is your last day.
It's Death Row.
Except, these people are not criminals. They've committed no horrific atrocity.
So, I ask... If we as a society complain about the cruel and unusual nature of executions on Death Row... Executions of our society's most heinous members..
Why are we not more vocal and active in our complaints against the executions of our more innocent members? The children who die from cancer.. The mothers... Wives... Fathers... Sons... Husbands... Daughters... And those indistinguishable people who are mere faces in the crowd that no one even notices is missing...
Priorities.
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancer. Show all posts
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Outrageous Outrage
The thoughts from my previous post continue to weigh on my mind...
As I wrote, I am disturbed by the misplaced outrage that we have in this country. Large segments of the populace are "outraged" at the number of Soldiers dying in Iraq. Each gory milestone (1,000... 2,000... 3,000... 4,000!) is trumpeted as a further example of how we MUST CHANGE.
4,000. Over five years. While each Soldier lost *IS* a tragedy... Truth (listen up, Truthers) be told, that's a LOW number
Low compared to non-combat deaths, for example.
Low compared to vehicular deaths in our country.
Low compared to disease (pick your favorite) deaths. Quick, show of hands of the oncologists... How many would be ECSTATIC if the death rate dropped to 4,000 over five years?
And I'm fairly sure that most of those outraged would be hard-pressed to recall the name or a detail or two of those who've sacrificed in Iraq.
So, what's with the outrage?
And then I realized. Those Soldiers' deaths serve a *political* purpose. They are an excuse to be outraged. They are names to be written on throwaway cardboard protest signs.
Whereas for another sizable group of the populace, it is the Soldiers' LIVES that hold a purpose and are celebrated.
Now, THAT is something to be outraged over.
As I wrote, I am disturbed by the misplaced outrage that we have in this country. Large segments of the populace are "outraged" at the number of Soldiers dying in Iraq. Each gory milestone (1,000... 2,000... 3,000... 4,000!) is trumpeted as a further example of how we MUST CHANGE.
4,000. Over five years. While each Soldier lost *IS* a tragedy... Truth (listen up, Truthers) be told, that's a LOW number
Low compared to non-combat deaths, for example.
Low compared to vehicular deaths in our country.
Low compared to disease (pick your favorite) deaths. Quick, show of hands of the oncologists... How many would be ECSTATIC if the death rate dropped to 4,000 over five years?
And I'm fairly sure that most of those outraged would be hard-pressed to recall the name or a detail or two of those who've sacrificed in Iraq.
So, what's with the outrage?
And then I realized. Those Soldiers' deaths serve a *political* purpose. They are an excuse to be outraged. They are names to be written on throwaway cardboard protest signs.
Whereas for another sizable group of the populace, it is the Soldiers' LIVES that hold a purpose and are celebrated.
Now, THAT is something to be outraged over.
Where Is YOUR Righteous Indignation?
Yesterday, another casualty was recorded. This brave Soldier lost her battle.
Andrea Collins Smith.
That's her name. Pay attention, and remember, because you won't see her name on any protest signs.
No mock gravestones.
No bracelets.
No one will interrupt a Presidential speech, Congressional hearing, or a nominee's stump speech asking what they'll do to stop the tragedy.
And why not?
She died of cancer.
No, it's not as sexy a "cause death" as an American Soldier dying in Iraq. She died at home, with her husband, leaving behind five children.
I don't begrudge the "Code Pink" folks, or others, as they exercise their right to protest. Go for it.
I wonder what it'd be like if we put all that energy and effort into fighting a bigger battle.
(Bigger battle?! Bigger than... how do they put it???... an unjust war for oil where Bush lied so _____ died? Yeah, bigger than that.)
So far this year, 208 American Soldiers have died in Iraq (source: Iraq Coalition Casualty Count). That's a little over a Soldier per day, or extrapolated to the year, at the current rate, that'd be approximately 408 Soldiers.
Whereas, it is forecast that 565,650 Americans will die of cancer this year. (Source: American Cancer Society) 1,385 times the number in Iraq. Or, put another way... 1549 EACH DAY! Including holidays... Cancer doesn't take a day off.
Code Pink, you've already got the right color... let's put an end to this daily death count... Everyone, where is YOUR outrage? We must end this. So many needless deaths...
Andrea Collins Smith.
That's her name. Pay attention, and remember, because you won't see her name on any protest signs.
No mock gravestones.
No bracelets.
No one will interrupt a Presidential speech, Congressional hearing, or a nominee's stump speech asking what they'll do to stop the tragedy.
And why not?
She died of cancer.
No, it's not as sexy a "cause death" as an American Soldier dying in Iraq. She died at home, with her husband, leaving behind five children.
I don't begrudge the "Code Pink" folks, or others, as they exercise their right to protest. Go for it.
I wonder what it'd be like if we put all that energy and effort into fighting a bigger battle.
(Bigger battle?! Bigger than... how do they put it???... an unjust war for oil where Bush lied so _____ died? Yeah, bigger than that.)
So far this year, 208 American Soldiers have died in Iraq (source: Iraq Coalition Casualty Count). That's a little over a Soldier per day, or extrapolated to the year, at the current rate, that'd be approximately 408 Soldiers.
Whereas, it is forecast that 565,650 Americans will die of cancer this year. (Source: American Cancer Society) 1,385 times the number in Iraq. Or, put another way... 1549 EACH DAY! Including holidays... Cancer doesn't take a day off.
Code Pink, you've already got the right color... let's put an end to this daily death count... Everyone, where is YOUR outrage? We must end this. So many needless deaths...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007
I'm torn.
There are two bills before Congress, a House of Representatives version and a Senate version, titled the "Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007.
Essentially, and to spare you the legalese in the bills (though I always encourage you to read the bills - unlike our actual lawmakers), it mandates that patients not be sent home from the hospital less than forty-eight hours after a mastectomy is performed.
I remember with Ellicia how happy we were that the Germans held her for quite a few days to ensure everything worked out ok... Mastectomies are MAJOR surgery.
Easy vote. Of course, patients shouldn't be sent home and it's sad that they are.
And I wish, really wish, that such a vote wasn't necessary.
Why am I torn? Because it goes against my beliefs of having the government tell the private sector (and insurance companies are private companies whom we hire to provide a service to us - namely, insurance) how their business should be run.
It's against my core beliefs.
Sigh.
What I feel, essentially, becomes a classic Liberal versus Conservative argument. On the Liberal side, I feel that it should be voted for. These women NEED to stay longer in the hospital to ensure their surgeries go well.
On the Conservative side, I don't want government meddling and mandating the business rules.
So, let's draw a compromise here. Attention insurance companies - here is a MARKET OPPORTUNITY. Differentiate yourself from your competitors by offering better mastectomy care. Customers, especially women at risk, and those who love them, will flock to your company.
Don't make government legislate the morality of good care. Do it on your own.
(Sad note - one of the House bills - HR 119 - was introduced by Rep. Jo Ann Davis, of the 1st Congressional District of Virginia. She passed away last year - from cancer.)
There are two bills before Congress, a House of Representatives version and a Senate version, titled the "Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007.
Essentially, and to spare you the legalese in the bills (though I always encourage you to read the bills - unlike our actual lawmakers), it mandates that patients not be sent home from the hospital less than forty-eight hours after a mastectomy is performed.
I remember with Ellicia how happy we were that the Germans held her for quite a few days to ensure everything worked out ok... Mastectomies are MAJOR surgery.
Easy vote. Of course, patients shouldn't be sent home and it's sad that they are.
And I wish, really wish, that such a vote wasn't necessary.
Why am I torn? Because it goes against my beliefs of having the government tell the private sector (and insurance companies are private companies whom we hire to provide a service to us - namely, insurance) how their business should be run.
It's against my core beliefs.
Sigh.
What I feel, essentially, becomes a classic Liberal versus Conservative argument. On the Liberal side, I feel that it should be voted for. These women NEED to stay longer in the hospital to ensure their surgeries go well.
On the Conservative side, I don't want government meddling and mandating the business rules.
So, let's draw a compromise here. Attention insurance companies - here is a MARKET OPPORTUNITY. Differentiate yourself from your competitors by offering better mastectomy care. Customers, especially women at risk, and those who love them, will flock to your company.
Don't make government legislate the morality of good care. Do it on your own.
(Sad note - one of the House bills - HR 119 - was introduced by Rep. Jo Ann Davis, of the 1st Congressional District of Virginia. She passed away last year - from cancer.)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Safe Sex
Safe Sex
While we're all aware of how Safe Sex can protect you from disease, and even a fairly decent chance of preventing pregnancy, did you know that it could conceivably save the planet?
No?
Awhile back, I'd debated writing about the British woman who had herself sterilized to avoid overpopulating the planet, depleting its resources, and generally causing the destruction of the environment.
It was dismissed as a young woman who made her decision, and while we may not agree with her reasoning, there's something to be said for standing up for your principles. Also, there was the belief that her failing to reproduce will prevent the promulgation of her genes into the gene pool.
Did you know there's a whole movement?
Really.
The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement.
This group encourages people to not reproduce so we can stop harming the planet. Eventually, humans would die out, and the planet would recover (the assumption being that it's desperately harmed already).
There are even some catchy cartoons on the site. There's one where storks delivering babies drop them a la bombs into nature destroying forests, fish, and even Bambi.
One of the best, and I'm not truly sure how I managed to watch all the way to the end, was "The Wit and Wisdom of Cancer".
I'll give you a second.
Yep, it's the hilarity, complete with stand-up comic, of the allegory of cancer cells destroying a body, with the body of course being "Gaia" - Earth's alternative nickname.
It's important to know what's out there. What people seriously desire. And some people think the best thing for the human race is if we all die. They see a newborn not as a miracle, but as a devastating future for the planet.
Educate yourself. Take a look.
While we're all aware of how Safe Sex can protect you from disease, and even a fairly decent chance of preventing pregnancy, did you know that it could conceivably save the planet?
No?
Awhile back, I'd debated writing about the British woman who had herself sterilized to avoid overpopulating the planet, depleting its resources, and generally causing the destruction of the environment.
It was dismissed as a young woman who made her decision, and while we may not agree with her reasoning, there's something to be said for standing up for your principles. Also, there was the belief that her failing to reproduce will prevent the promulgation of her genes into the gene pool.
Did you know there's a whole movement?
Really.
The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement.
This group encourages people to not reproduce so we can stop harming the planet. Eventually, humans would die out, and the planet would recover (the assumption being that it's desperately harmed already).
There are even some catchy cartoons on the site. There's one where storks delivering babies drop them a la bombs into nature destroying forests, fish, and even Bambi.
One of the best, and I'm not truly sure how I managed to watch all the way to the end, was "The Wit and Wisdom of Cancer".
I'll give you a second.
Yep, it's the hilarity, complete with stand-up comic, of the allegory of cancer cells destroying a body, with the body of course being "Gaia" - Earth's alternative nickname.
It's important to know what's out there. What people seriously desire. And some people think the best thing for the human race is if we all die. They see a newborn not as a miracle, but as a devastating future for the planet.
Educate yourself. Take a look.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Please Explain This to Me
In the past four, nearly five, years... the United States military has suffered 3,911 deaths in Iraq.
I'll save the trip to the calculator. That's a little over 800 per annum.
This massive death toll has spawned worldwide protests, marches, changes of governments, etc.
Less than a thousand per year. (And please, PLEASE, I am NOT attempting to lessen the deaths of any ONE of those.)
However, according to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 12,332,300 NEW cancer diagnoses worldwide in 2007.
12 1/4 million.
New cases. Not counting the ones already existing.
The ACS also estimates 7,214,285 DEATHS from cancer in 2007.
Where are the protests?
Where are the calls for government action?
Candidates for office - What is YOUR position on this deadly disease? Everyone has a position on whether we should stay in Iraq (some have more than one - it never hurts to have a spare), but who is calling for action against cancer?
In the 1940s, the Manhattan Project cracked the Atom.
In the 1960s, the Apollo Project reached the Moon.
When will it become an imperative to try to reduce, or dare we dream, ELIMINATE this cause of death from the world's surface.
How many more must die, each day, until it becomes important?
Code*Pink - y'all have a good color... Are you with me?
We can fight back this disease, that turns the body against itself... a different, yet familiar, form of insurgency.
There are so many things that government does poorly... but, some things we've done well. Let's put an end to this disease. Let's bring LIFE to so many.
We can do it.
If it's important to us. It is to me. How about you?
I'll save the trip to the calculator. That's a little over 800 per annum.
This massive death toll has spawned worldwide protests, marches, changes of governments, etc.
Less than a thousand per year. (And please, PLEASE, I am NOT attempting to lessen the deaths of any ONE of those.)
However, according to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 12,332,300 NEW cancer diagnoses worldwide in 2007.
12 1/4 million.
New cases. Not counting the ones already existing.
The ACS also estimates 7,214,285 DEATHS from cancer in 2007.
Where are the protests?
Where are the calls for government action?
Candidates for office - What is YOUR position on this deadly disease? Everyone has a position on whether we should stay in Iraq (some have more than one - it never hurts to have a spare), but who is calling for action against cancer?
In the 1940s, the Manhattan Project cracked the Atom.
In the 1960s, the Apollo Project reached the Moon.
When will it become an imperative to try to reduce, or dare we dream, ELIMINATE this cause of death from the world's surface.
How many more must die, each day, until it becomes important?
Code*Pink - y'all have a good color... Are you with me?
We can fight back this disease, that turns the body against itself... a different, yet familiar, form of insurgency.
There are so many things that government does poorly... but, some things we've done well. Let's put an end to this disease. Let's bring LIFE to so many.
We can do it.
If it's important to us. It is to me. How about you?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Elizabeth Edwards
My Heart goes out to her and the Edwards family. Mrs. Edwards has not only just been given her death sentence, but she had to receive it in front of the whole world.
I will never, ever, forget the day that Ellicia and I received our news that the cancer we thought we'd beaten was back... and it was going to kill her.
We sat in the car and openly bawled, both of us. It was the day they told us about how it'd spread, and there were all the tumors in her brain, and in her lungs. And we'd done enough research to know... that when it comes back, and it spreads like that, it's just a matter of how long, but the outcome is not going to change.
Mrs. Edwards has been told it's in her bones. That's the surest form to kill you. She has probably been given a time frame... maybe a couple of years, but... it came back, and it came back to her bones. Has it spread elsewhere - maybe somewhere not yet detected? She may not have so long.
And she's going to fight. Good for her, but I'm sure she's also learning how fighting the first time reduces your weapons to fight with the second time.
She's learned she's not going to grow old with John (Do you know his middle name?). Should he succeed in his quest for the Presidency, she'll either be too sick or no longer around. She's not going to see her children grow up. She won't see her daughters walk down the aisle, graduate, grandchildren...
It's Stage IV... metastatic... terminal.
One of the biggest challenges with that news is to have hope, still. And to balance hope with reality. To face what's coming.
I am surprised, to be sure, that Mr. Edwards has not suspended his campaign. I won't make it a politcal comment, but I will say that if it were me (wait, it was), he should spend every second with his family. Mrs. Edwards is going to get weaker. It's in her bones. Everything is going to be harder, even looking in the mirror and being reminded that it's not going to get better.
Taking care of the children.
Helping her dress.
Helping her use the bathroom.
Bathing.
Holding her hand.
Planning for the future and for the lack of it.
Talking.
Sharing.
Being scared together.
Fighting together.
Hoping, praying... begging together.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards... my Heart goes to you. There are no magic words, no super advice here. What you're facing together is the hardest thing you'll ever face, and hopefully, you're strong enough to help each other through it.
Mr. Edwards... John. Hold your wife. Love her. Leave her with no doubt of your love for her. It's ok to be scared. Terrified. Angry... hell, flat out PISSED OFF that the cancer came back! Research, ask your doctors, ask more doctors... as long as you can, don't give up hope.
Prepare for what's coming, though. Be honest with each other.
Mrs. Edwards - you're going through one of the greatest tragedies, publicly. (We know what that's like, even if our stage was just a tad bit smaller.) You're going to need and will likely have more courage than most of us can ever conjure. You'll go through each day, trying to make it a normal day, wanting to treasure each moment with your children, with John.
Each new weakness, each cough, every time something gets harder to do... it will be a slap in the face, a reminder that Death is coming. For you.
Sooner than we ever planned.
Don't give up the hope... keep fighting... Draw strength from John, and be amazed that he's drawing strength from your courage.
Write to your children. Take pictures. Do anything special you've always wanted to do. Do it now.
We always realized that one of the scariest things was to know that there was a clock counting down, the sands pouring through the glass, and we couldn't see what was left.
I'm sorry. I wish you luck. I wish you strength, courage, and Love.
I will never, ever, forget the day that Ellicia and I received our news that the cancer we thought we'd beaten was back... and it was going to kill her.
We sat in the car and openly bawled, both of us. It was the day they told us about how it'd spread, and there were all the tumors in her brain, and in her lungs. And we'd done enough research to know... that when it comes back, and it spreads like that, it's just a matter of how long, but the outcome is not going to change.
Mrs. Edwards has been told it's in her bones. That's the surest form to kill you. She has probably been given a time frame... maybe a couple of years, but... it came back, and it came back to her bones. Has it spread elsewhere - maybe somewhere not yet detected? She may not have so long.
And she's going to fight. Good for her, but I'm sure she's also learning how fighting the first time reduces your weapons to fight with the second time.
She's learned she's not going to grow old with John (Do you know his middle name?). Should he succeed in his quest for the Presidency, she'll either be too sick or no longer around. She's not going to see her children grow up. She won't see her daughters walk down the aisle, graduate, grandchildren...
It's Stage IV... metastatic... terminal.
One of the biggest challenges with that news is to have hope, still. And to balance hope with reality. To face what's coming.
I am surprised, to be sure, that Mr. Edwards has not suspended his campaign. I won't make it a politcal comment, but I will say that if it were me (wait, it was), he should spend every second with his family. Mrs. Edwards is going to get weaker. It's in her bones. Everything is going to be harder, even looking in the mirror and being reminded that it's not going to get better.
Taking care of the children.
Helping her dress.
Helping her use the bathroom.
Bathing.
Holding her hand.
Planning for the future and for the lack of it.
Talking.
Sharing.
Being scared together.
Fighting together.
Hoping, praying... begging together.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards... my Heart goes to you. There are no magic words, no super advice here. What you're facing together is the hardest thing you'll ever face, and hopefully, you're strong enough to help each other through it.
Mr. Edwards... John. Hold your wife. Love her. Leave her with no doubt of your love for her. It's ok to be scared. Terrified. Angry... hell, flat out PISSED OFF that the cancer came back! Research, ask your doctors, ask more doctors... as long as you can, don't give up hope.
Prepare for what's coming, though. Be honest with each other.
Mrs. Edwards - you're going through one of the greatest tragedies, publicly. (We know what that's like, even if our stage was just a tad bit smaller.) You're going to need and will likely have more courage than most of us can ever conjure. You'll go through each day, trying to make it a normal day, wanting to treasure each moment with your children, with John.
Each new weakness, each cough, every time something gets harder to do... it will be a slap in the face, a reminder that Death is coming. For you.
Sooner than we ever planned.
Don't give up the hope... keep fighting... Draw strength from John, and be amazed that he's drawing strength from your courage.
Write to your children. Take pictures. Do anything special you've always wanted to do. Do it now.
We always realized that one of the scariest things was to know that there was a clock counting down, the sands pouring through the glass, and we couldn't see what was left.
I'm sorry. I wish you luck. I wish you strength, courage, and Love.
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