Comments on: An unimaginable decision http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Joseph O'Leary http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-6057 Joseph O'Leary Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:56:46 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-6057 I agree with his decision. As a 6 year cancer survivor, I remember the day I was told I had early stage 2 throat cancer, I suspected something was wrong, my neck started to swell and I thought my tonsils were infected. Even though I was diagnosed in late August, treatment didn't start until late September. I won't bore you with the details but my doctors then began an aggressive treatment, chemo and radiation at the same time. It was a tough go but it must have worked. I'm still here. If your oncologist is comfortable with holding off for a few weeks then go for it. It was his life ambition and the SOB called cancer should only be considered a bump in the road. A good friend and fellow cancer survivor exclaimed that her attitude was that cancer is only a chronic disease that can be beaten with good medical care and a positive attitude. I agree with his decision. As a 6 year cancer survivor, I remember the day I was told I had early stage 2 throat cancer, I suspected something was wrong, my neck started to swell and I thought my tonsils were infected. Even though I was diagnosed in late August, treatment didn't start until late September. I won't bore you with the details but my doctors then began an aggressive treatment, chemo and radiation at the same time. It was a tough go but it must have worked. I'm still here.
If your oncologist is comfortable with holding off for a few weeks then go for it. It was his life ambition and the SOB called cancer should only be considered a bump in the road.
A good friend and fellow cancer survivor exclaimed that her attitude was that cancer is only a chronic disease that can be beaten with good medical care and a positive attitude.

]]> By: Willow, Iowa http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2631 Willow, Iowa Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:20:25 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2631 I can certainly understand his decision. This may be his last chance to do the one thing he wants to do in his life. I hope that he makes a fine recovery after the Olympics are over. Good luck to you! I can certainly understand his decision. This may be his last chance to do the one thing he wants to do in his life. I hope that he makes a fine recovery after the Olympics are over. Good luck to you!

]]> By: mharney http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2570 mharney Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:15:44 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2570 I respect his decision, because this is Shanteau's chance to participate in the Olympics. I don't intend to sound morbid, but he should try to participate while he can still be at the top of his game. Does everyone still rememember Earvin "Magic" Johnson of the Dream Team? I respect his decision, because this is Shanteau's chance to participate in the Olympics. I don't intend to sound morbid, but he should try to participate while he can still be at the top of his game. Does everyone still rememember Earvin "Magic" Johnson of the Dream Team?

]]> By: Susan http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2554 Susan Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:58:20 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2554 I respect his decision, not to trivialize these diseases in men, but they are much more managable, testicular and prostate cancers are far less aggressive than ovarian and breast. lucky boys. I respect his decision, not to trivialize these diseases in men, but they are much more managable, testicular and prostate cancers are far less aggressive than ovarian and breast. lucky boys.

]]> By: Sebastian Bliffeld http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2500 Sebastian Bliffeld Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:17:45 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2500 In reading Dr. Gupta's article I believ that Shanteau has I expect made a decision also based on Medical Advice. As men; we are know for draging out our Medical needs to a sometimes dangerous and unsatisfactory conclusion. I am a male who was born with Spina Bifida. I have been fortunate to live a fruitfull life which I expect and hope to continue as I have a wife and daughter who I plan on watching grow up. We must listen to our bodies and care for them while making educated and rational desicions. I am sure that we all wish Shanteau success in achieving his dreams and winning his battles. Sebastian Bliffeld In reading Dr. Gupta's article I believ that
Shanteau has I expect made a decision also based on Medical Advice. As men; we are know for draging out our Medical needs to a sometimes dangerous and unsatisfactory conclusion. I am a male who was born with Spina Bifida. I have been fortunate to live a fruitfull life which I expect and hope to continue as I have a wife and daughter who I plan on watching grow up. We must listen to our bodies and care for them while making educated and rational desicions. I am sure that we all wish Shanteau success in achieving his dreams and winning his battles.

Sebastian Bliffeld

]]> By: Louise http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2477 Louise Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:01:31 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2477 His decision makes sense to me. We all have to die sometime. I'd rather die after having had the chance to live my dream than to die without having that chance. His decision makes sense to me. We all have to die sometime. I'd rather die after having had the chance to live my dream than to die without having that chance.

]]> By: James http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2448 James Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:53:07 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2448 Waiting like that may be okay for him personally, but would be extremely hard on family. No person is an island. Waiting like that may be okay for him personally, but would be extremely hard on family. No person is an island.

]]> By: John C. McAlinden Jr. http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2440 John C. McAlinden Jr. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:29:16 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2440 I am not a parent and therefore not able to say weather as a parent I agree or not with his desision I do however think that if he is under a drs advise and that he and the dr. have made this desision with all that medicin can offer and with the grate persentage of people who do get through this diagnosisis alive and understanding that this is his last chance to go for the olimpics that he should go for it because we all live only once and if he did not go for it he would all ways regret it till the day he died however long that may be and none of us knows how long we have. I wish him well and will watch him compeat I hope that he has the time of his life !!!! I am not a parent and therefore not able to say weather as a parent I agree or not with his desision I do however think that if he is under a drs advise and that he and the dr. have made this desision with all that medicin can offer and with the grate persentage of people who do get through this diagnosisis alive and understanding that this is his last chance to go for the olimpics that he should go for it because we all live only once and if he did not go for it he would all ways regret it till the day he died however long that may be and none of us knows how long we have. I wish him well and will watch him compeat I hope that he has the time of his life !!!!

]]> By: Tim S. http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2397 Tim S. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:41:34 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2397 I support his decision and pray for his health and his Olympic ambitions. He put his time in and watching him reap the rewards will be awesome. I support his decision and pray for his health and his Olympic ambitions. He put his time in and watching him reap the rewards will be awesome.

]]> By: Wendy Herdman http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/15/an-unimaginable-decision/#comment-2367 Wendy Herdman Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:02:50 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=92#comment-2367 Several people have commented that they feel Eric's decision to postpone treatment would be wrong if he has a spouse or children. I have to disagree. As much as we owe our families our lives, they owe us as well. If I were his wife, I would want him to compete and would support him in that quest even if it meant a greater chance I might lose him. As a cancer survivor, I know that the fullness of one's life is more important than its length; Eric's potential emotional reward in going forward with competition greatly outweighs the risks he sustains in postponing treatment. Several people have commented that they feel Eric's decision to postpone treatment would be wrong if he has a spouse or children. I have to disagree. As much as we owe our families our lives, they owe us as well. If I were his wife, I would want him to compete and would support him in that quest even if it meant a greater chance I might lose him. As a cancer survivor, I know that the fullness of one's life is more important than its length; Eric's potential emotional reward in going forward with competition greatly outweighs the risks he sustains in postponing treatment.

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