Cancer should be more discriminating

TheU2 · 06-04-2002, 02:24 PM

So, I was vacationing on the cape when I came along the obit for Stephen Gould, the famed Harvard professor. God, what an amazing guy. I wish that this cancer thing would be more discriminating. To take a guy like this....argh.

I'll give a quick synopsis of his life. He's a Columbia educated paleontologist who began his career at Harvard and never left. Did amazing, groundbreaking research that ultimately led to his (along with Eldredge of Museum of Natural History fame) famous theory of "punctuated equilibrium". Punctuated equilibrium basically states that evolution happens in spurts with long gaps of time where nothing happens. Anyway, this theory contradicted with what was normally understood.

He wrote and published many books that helped explain complex scientific theories to the common man (me included). His writings culminated in "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory" which is a 1,500 page monstrasity that was the result of 20 years work.

On top of that, he was a huge yankee fan. That proves that no one is perfect.

Anyways, here is a link to the Harvard Gazette article that sums up his life and contributions.

Gould

As I was driving home from the upstate, I was listening to Public Radio. Its 90.3 in capital land and 93.9 in Metro NY land. On "All things considered," they were interviewing this physician who went to Harvard undergrad and medical schools.

This guy got involved in a project/independent study where he would meet with Gould every week and discuss and interpret Bach's music. The physician met with Gould every week for one hour for 3 full years. I wonder if this guy knew how lucky he was to have access to this brain for one hour a week for such a long time.

Anways, go back to your silly ways.

CK

JessicaAnn · 06-04-2002, 02:57 PM

Cancer, like so many terrible diseases, knows no age, race, level of intelligence or social status.

pax · 06-04-2002, 06:01 PM

It picked my grandfather, too.

Jessica is right--and that is something that people tend to forget about AIDS as well as cancer.

Like O2 · 06-04-2002, 06:54 PM

It took my dad.

It left my sister scarred and taking a dozen pills a day to battle it.

It has for the last 10 years eaten away at one of my best friends (who has three young daughters).

While I'm sure an intelligent Harvard paleontologist will be missed by many, so is my dad and paxetaurora's grandfather and everyone else that has to suffer and die this horrible death.

She Is Raging · 06-04-2002, 08:32 PM

As much as I hate to, I live in fear of cancer.
My grandfather died from it, as did my uncle.
Two aunts have had it.
My father is still recovering.
My mother had a scare.
My brother had it.
My best friends mother died from it when she was 14.

I cant help but think that I might be next, with a family history like that - it's so worrisome.

guaca · 06-04-2002, 08:56 PM

Cancer is definitely not for the faint of heart.

It took someone in my life - she was such a bright spirit...still is actually...burns bright at night....she stays with me always...she would be my mother.

Cancer proves to be destructable, non-caring, beating. It knows no boundaries.

It tears people apart bit by bit, takes there dignity until there is nothing left.

Cancer is not a friend to me.

joyfulgirl · 06-05-2002, 10:23 AM

Cancer plucked the love of the my life right out of my life last fall, at the age of 42, on 30 days notice. But he is with me always.

404 Not Found · 06-05-2002, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joyfulgirl
Cancer plucked the love of the my life right out of my life last fall, at the age of 42, on 30 days notice. But he is with me always.

that is so incredibly, heartbreakingly sad. i am so sorry.

TheU2 · 06-05-2002, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Like O2

While I'm sure an intelligent Harvard paleontologist will be missed by many, so is my dad and paxetaurora's grandfather and everyone else that has to suffer and die this horrible death.

So true....

CK

Too Much Asleep · 06-05-2002, 10:48 AM

If cancer and I ever meet on the street, it will lead to fisticuffs; and I am not likely to go easy on him.

Miss MacPhisto · 06-05-2002, 09:45 PM

Yeah, my grandmother had it(she survived), some distant relatives and friends have had it. The idea of it scares the shit out of me, it really does. I pray that it stays out of my life and the lives of those i love...
I cant believe it still claims so many lives. It dims further any faith I have in mankind. And i have very little to begin with.

**KhanadaRhodes** · 06-05-2002, 10:16 PM

my grandmother died of breast cancer in 1995.

baker6621 · 06-05-2002, 10:30 PM

"Cancer is just another example of why we should live our lives to the fullest and it illustrates how fragile life really is - and in essence, how worthless it is in the end" -Me

BAW · 06-05-2002, 10:34 PM

It took my beloved Grampa Ed on June 12, 1999. I miss him every, single day.

It breaks my heart to see the two side-by-side reclining chairs in my grandparent's living room, the same place I visited with him for 33 years, knowing that his chair will always be empty.

TheU2 · 06-05-2002, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baker6621
[B and in essence, how worthless it is in the end" -Me [/B]

I disagree with you.

CK

**KhanadaRhodes** · 06-06-2002, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bono's American Wife
It breaks my heart to see the two side-by-side reclining chairs in my grandparent's living room, the same place I visited with him for 33 years, knowing that his chair will always be empty.

i know how you feel.

i'm afraid i might lose someone else even closer to me to cancer, too. maybe even two. :cry:

senrab · 06-06-2002, 10:51 PM

My dad was diagnosed with an aggressively malignant brain tumor at the beginning of the year. This has been the worst year of my life.

Stories for Boys · 06-06-2002, 11:14 PM

*hugs* to all. i've had cancer touch my life too, but not as close as many of you. i pray that you will feel healing.

zooropamanda · 06-07-2002, 10:20 PM

cancer now has a big place in my life and sometimes i wonder whether i talk about it and death too much.
i wonder whether people don't want to hear about it, but its hard yto know and hard to stop yourself from talking about it when it has had such a huge impact on your life.
you mainly try to be frank about it as its just a part of your life but when you do, you notice the looks that people give you.
You feel that " this girl is nuts, shes talking so openly about her father's death in front of me and i really dont want to know" look.
I pretty much dont talk about him at all now because i know it makes other people uncomfortable.
i wonder if i talk about him too much here even.

U2Bama · 06-07-2002, 10:28 PM

Zooropa_Amanda:

Despite my request for your banishment in Lemonade_Stand, I wished to let you know that you can talk to us any time about anything, as openly as you want. It does not make us uncomfortable, and you do NOT talk about him too much. Feel free to talk to me if you ever need to!

~U2Alabama

06-04-2002, 02:24 PM	#1
TheU2 Banned Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: SI, NY, USA Posts: 1,189 Local Time: 05:09 PM	Cancer should be more discriminating So, I was vacationing on the cape when I came along the obit for Stephen Gould, the famed Harvard professor. God, what an amazing guy. I wish that this cancer thing would be more discriminating. To take a guy like this....argh. I'll give a quick synopsis of his life. He's a Columbia educated paleontologist who began his career at Harvard and never left. Did amazing, groundbreaking research that ultimately led to his (along with Eldredge of Museum of Natural History fame) famous theory of "punctuated equilibrium". Punctuated equilibrium basically states that evolution happens in spurts with long gaps of time where nothing happens. Anyway, this theory contradicted with what was normally understood. He wrote and published many books that helped explain complex scientific theories to the common man (me included). His writings culminated in "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory" which is a 1,500 page monstrasity that was the result of 20 years work. On top of that, he was a huge yankee fan. That proves that no one is perfect. Anyways, here is a link to the Harvard Gazette article that sums up his life and contributions. Gould As I was driving home from the upstate, I was listening to Public Radio. Its 90.3 in capital land and 93.9 in Metro NY land. On "All things considered," they were interviewing this physician who went to Harvard undergrad and medical schools. This guy got involved in a project/independent study where he would meet with Gould every week and discuss and interpret Bach's music. The physician met with Gould every week for one hour for 3 full years. I wonder if this guy knew how lucky he was to have access to this brain for one hour a week for such a long time. Anways, go back to your silly ways. CK __________________ __________________ AIM = ckennedy77

06-04-2002, 02:57 PM	#2
JessicaAnn ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Milwaukee, WI (USA) Posts: 11,743 Local Time: 12:09 PM	Cancer, like so many terrible diseases, knows no age, race, level of intelligence or social status. __________________

06-04-2002, 06:01 PM	#3
pax ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ewen's new American home Posts: 11,412 Local Time: 01:09 PM	It picked my grandfather, too. Jessica is right--and that is something that people tend to forget about AIDS as well as cancer. __________________ and you hunger for the time time to heal, desire, time Join Amnesty.

06-05-2002, 09:45 PM	#11
Miss MacPhisto Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Planet Pleba Posts: 1,957 Local Time: 09:09 AM	Yeah, my grandmother had it(she survived), some distant relatives and friends have had it. The idea of it scares the shit out of me, it really does. I pray that it stays out of my life and the lives of those i love... I cant believe it still claims so many lives. It dims further any faith I have in mankind. And i have very little to begin with. __________________ ".....People of America - SHUSH-........." "Well you tell...Bonovista,that i said hello and that my codename is Belleview" - Bono before opening night of Anaheim Elevation concert Well tonight thank God it's them, instead of you... ^^ Life's a bitch, so i became one ^^

06-05-2002, 10:16 PM	#12
KhanadaRhodes Paper Gods Forum Administrator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: a vampire in the limousine Posts: 60,695 Local Time: 11:09 AM	my grandmother died of breast cancer in 1995. __________________

06-04-2002, 06:54 PM	#4
Like O2 She wore graaaapes Join Date: May 2001 Location: Slightly north of the Lone Star state Posts: 1,800 Local Time: 11:09 AM	It took my dad. It left my sister scarred and taking a dozen pills a day to battle it. It has for the last 10 years eaten away at one of my best friends (who has three young daughters). While I'm sure an intelligent Harvard paleontologist will be missed by many, so is my dad and paxetaurora's grandfather and everyone else that has to suffer and die this horrible death.

06-04-2002, 08:32 PM	#5
She Is Raging Refugee Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Outside Boston Posts: 1,729 Local Time: 12:09 PM	As much as I hate to, I live in fear of cancer. My grandfather died from it, as did my uncle. Two aunts have had it. My father is still recovering. My mother had a scare. My brother had it. My best friends mother died from it when she was 14. I cant help but think that I might be next, with a family history like that - it's so worrisome.

06-04-2002, 08:56 PM	#6
guaca Refugee Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,506 Local Time: 12:09 PM	Cancer is definitely not for the faint of heart. It took someone in my life - she was such a bright spirit...still is actually...burns bright at night....she stays with me always...she would be my mother. Cancer proves to be destructable, non-caring, beating. It knows no boundaries. It tears people apart bit by bit, takes there dignity until there is nothing left. Cancer is not a friend to me.

06-05-2002, 10:23 AM	#7
joyfulgirl Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 16,683 Local Time: 10:09 AM	Cancer plucked the love of the my life right out of my life last fall, at the age of 42, on 30 days notice. But he is with me always.

06-05-2002, 10:48 AM	#10
Too Much Asleep Babyface Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: on holiday Posts: 23 Local Time: 11:09 AM	If cancer and I ever meet on the street, it will lead to fisticuffs; and I am not likely to go easy on him.

06-05-2002, 10:30 PM	#13
baker6621 War Child Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Earth, why have borders? Posts: 594 Local Time: 05:09 PM	"Cancer is just another example of why we should live our lives to the fullest and it illustrates how fragile life really is - and in essence, how worthless it is in the end" -Me

06-05-2002, 10:34 PM	#14
BAW The Flower Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The OC....!!!! Posts: 11,095 Local Time: 10:09 AM	It took my beloved Grampa Ed on June 12, 1999. I miss him every, single day. It breaks my heart to see the two side-by-side reclining chairs in my grandparent's living room, the same place I visited with him for 33 years, knowing that his chair will always be empty.

06-06-2002, 10:51 PM	#17
senrab Refugee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,765 Local Time: 01:09 PM	My dad was diagnosed with an aggressively malignant brain tumor at the beginning of the year. This has been the worst year of my life.

06-06-2002, 11:14 PM	#18
Stories for Boys Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 5,876 Local Time: 12:09 PM	hugs to all. i've had cancer touch my life too, but not as close as many of you. i pray that you will feel healing.

06-07-2002, 10:20 PM	#19
zooropamanda Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Smile, you're reading my post Posts: 6,515 Local Time: 03:09 AM	cancer now has a big place in my life and sometimes i wonder whether i talk about it and death too much. i wonder whether people don't want to hear about it, but its hard yto know and hard to stop yourself from talking about it when it has had such a huge impact on your life. you mainly try to be frank about it as its just a part of your life but when you do, you notice the looks that people give you. You feel that " this girl is nuts, shes talking so openly about her father's death in front of me and i really dont want to know" look. I pretty much dont talk about him at all now because i know it makes other people uncomfortable. i wonder if i talk about him too much here even.

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06-07-2002, 10:28 PM	#20
U2Bama Rock n' Roll Doggie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gulf Coast State of Mine Posts: 3,405 Local Time: 12:09 PM	Zooropa_Amanda: Despite my request for your banishment in Lemonade_Stand, I wished to let you know that you can talk to us any time about anything, as openly as you want. It does not make us uncomfortable, and you do NOT talk about him too much. Feel free to talk to me if you ever need to! ~U2Alabama __________________