Posted on 05/19/2009 4:23:40 AM PDT by Alie James
We need to De-Politicize Cancer ... for Farah. Here's a recent article I wrote for Blog Critics:
"I watched Farrah’s Story, knowing full well it would make me sad, and it certainly did do that, but it also was so much more than just another sad celebrity story. It was Farrah’s gift to us - to her generation of Baby Boomer men and women. It was her way of giving us a Paul Harvey-esque “end of the story.” We are left with a wake-up call - the reality that if it can happen to Farrah, it can happen to any of us. It’s also given us an opportunity to give something back to Farrah, a chance to collectively hope she will find a miracle to regain her health ..."
(Excerpt) Read more at blogcritics.org ...
Nor could George Harrison, who died of lung cancer.
I was really moved to see Farah saying kind words to her nurses while she caressed rosary beads in her hands. She was never without them, and prayed frequently. I did not know about her faith.
The woman who wrote the blog article talked about de-politicizing cancer. That was not the point of the documentary, and the only half-way political implication was made at the end of the film where she wondered why treatments approved overseas weren’t also approved by the FDA...not the first person to wonder about those things. She also made the point that funding for certain diseases (i.e. some cancers, orphan diseases, etc.) needs to be increased. This is sooo true, certain disease siphon off the lion’s share of public and private financing.
I have MS, and there is a treatment that seems to work but is not approved in this country...why...competition between pharmaceuticals??? Who knows, but people travel to Europe to get the drug. Another med (LDN) that has few side effects, is cheap, and people swear by, isn’t approved by the FDA for treatment of the disease and why is that? Could it be because it costs much less than the treatments approved by the FDA which have tons of side effects?
There is a lobby and political aspect to medical care and pharmaceuticals in this country, whether it’s the left or right playing politics, I don’t know, but it exists.
When AIDS started. Think of if we put the money and resources into fighting cancer that we put into fighting AIDS (which we already know how to stop).
I understand that what I wrote could be construed that way. I am definitely not on the left and am sorry you assumed that. I simply understand that Alternative Medical treatments approach cancer from a “vibrational”, wholistic perspective. There’s an advantage to that and that’s my personal opinion. Also, when I use the word “politicize” - maybe some folks don’t like the word. But it appears that there is much more money made when treating sickness and disease rather than prevention and health. So, when lobbyists and medical insurance approach healthcare from that perspective, I believe it is a political issue.
As far as whether or not Farah has the money and choices that many of us do not - it’s true. My feeling was about her suffering, not her celebrity. If you or your loved ones knew of something that could help you live longer, would you not want it, and ask WHY you couldn’t try it? I would. That’s the reason I wrote an “opinion” piece about it.
Watched part of it. It was sad. Prayers for Farrah.
When I see blood for more than a week I go to the doctor. But that’s just me.
I just happened to catch the final hour of the show and I was very moved. To me, the story wasn’t about Farrah’s ability to afford different treatments or questionable decisions because when put in that position there is an overwhelming desire to live and you do whatever you can to survive. The story was Farrah’s story and how she dealt with her cancer and now that the end is nearing she wants to pass that on to whoever is interested. The story saddened me because it validated the fraility of human life. What is interesting to note is that Farrah was an Angel for one year and with that one year she became the sex symbol and pop culture figure of the 70’s and 80’s. With Baby Boomers starting to retire - it is only fitting that Farrah leave us a testiment to her life as it now nears the end because she is one of the ultimate Baby Boomers. The filmed showed her humility, spirituality and her strength in a time of pain and weakness. I think your posting was kind of harsh - what does it matter how much money is made - I’m sure there are a lot of bills and so what if Farrah and Ryan are getting married after 30 years - they have been together for so long - perhaps in the eyes of God they are already married. Anyway, she is in my prayers and I hope you finds peace soon.
I couldn’t watch it and have mixed feelings about it just hearing.
Why does death have to be on tv to make it real to anyone?
Most people live not thinking about this and I don’t get the point of putting it on tv. There is something perverse about it no matter how it is cloaked.
I have cancer/ I will die of it and there is no way the dying part should be out there for anyone other than those I am close to. ANd dying to me doesn’t have to be “making a statement”, “giving a gift”.
I don’t get it and I guess I won’t ever get the public appetite for the most intimate part of people’s lives.
So, someone is skeptical of hollywood celebrities and their motives on a death bed show on cancer and they are called harsh? I didn’t say anything about Fawcett’s fraility or fight, I am all too aware of these things and personally don’t think they need to be videotaped and put out for profit. You believe otherwise and that is the beauty of opinions, they are all different.
Pick one spelling and stick with it.
“I don’t get it and I guess I won’t ever get the public appetite for the most intimate part of people’s lives.”
Neither do I, and my hope is your treatment prolongs your life beyond expectations. We’ve had many family members fighting for more time with cancer, and every day was a blessing.
Me too!! Freepers prayed for me and I won’t ever forget how touching that was for me.
But as to Farah,,I don’t care what she does and how she does it, that is her business. But her prgram is not for me and even if I didn’t have this disease, it would feel like being a voyeur as someone said upthread, to watch it.
I think privacy is the right we fight for but it sure is given up willingly for whatever reason.
Next we will have cameras in the confessional to see the real deal on confession.
I guess I am old school but somethings are just way too private for a camera. You know I hate cameras at weddings and wouldln’t have one at mine,,the thought of a camera man prancing around the Church taking pics just felt wrong to me. But I remember the day. I didn’t need a picture to remember it.
But Farah is free to do what she feels she has to do. And to say this is for everyone is a mistake. Some will like it, some won’t.
From one recently diagnosed with metastasized breast cancer to another diagnosed with cancer, please read this and take it as my gift to you:
Woman and a Fork
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things ‘in order,’ she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
‘There’s one more thing,’ she said excitedly.
‘What’s that?’ came the Pastor’s reply.
‘This is very important,’ the young woman continued. ‘I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.’
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn’t it?’ the young woman asked.
‘Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,’ said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. ‘My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!’
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.’
The Pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman’s casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, ‘What’s with the fork?’ And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
And keep your fork because the best is yet to come.
THanks,,I hope so.
BTW I will be going on IV weekly Taxol and I think they use that for Breast Ca,,did you ever take it and was it okay?
Everyone bitches about the pharma companies but I give thanks to them every day,,my bitching is confined to those who don’t finish the statistics to get their studies published. They do these fantastic double blind placebo controlled studies on anti cancer drugs then take two years to get them published. I want to kick those dudes into gear!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.