I lost my grandmother at 53, and my mother at 60. Too soon. This disease affects millions of families. We should do what we can to help.

This is a great video--very effective.

I lost my Mom at age 42 to breast cancer--29 year ago.

The glove is different then the sock, for those wondering before clicking.

I lost my grandmother at 53, and my mother at 60. Too soon

#1 | Posted by Buffalo_Bob at 2009-12-05 02:23 PM

I lost my Mom at age 42 to breast cancer -- 29 years ago.

#2 | Posted by MURPHY at 2009-12-05 04:27 PM

My Mom passed away in 2008 at 88 from heart failure and, even though passing away was not that unexpected at her age, I still miss her so much.

I can't even imagine what it must have been like for the both of you not to have had your Moms around for the last 20 plus years of your lives as both of you had to do. No matter how old they are, it leaves such a void in your life to lose a parent.

When you're younger you're so much into your own life -- working, busy with your own social life, etc. -- you always take your folks for granted and just figure they'll always "be around" for you even though you know there will come a day when they won't be.

I never appreciated my Mom as much as I did the last 15 or so years of her life. I also felt I got to know her better -- started asking her many questions about her growing up years and her feelings about things which I never did when I was younger. Or maybe I had just finally grown up myself and took the time to really get to know and appreciate her as a person and not just as "my Mom."

btw -- When I clicked to watch the video it wouldn't come on. I found this other "Pink Glove" video on youtube if anyone wants to watch the dancing --

How come we can send a man to the Moon in 1969 but still can't find a cure for many cancers?

Call me a cynic but sometimes I wonder. There is a lot of money to be made by not curing cancer -- the billions donated to research, in the medical field, etc. 40 years ago they were still using the same old cures for cancer -- radiation and chemo -- as they are today. You'd think some cure (other than some minor medical advancements) would have been found by now. I just wonder why not.

I just wonder why not.

Because although we talk about cancer as A disease, it is actually many diseases, each with different causes and outcomes. Even amongst the same type of cancer (ie breat cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer ect) there can be different ways of causing the disease that will effect how the actual disease itself progresses.

The situation is very very complex and there is no single way to fix it.

How come we can send a man to the Moon in 1969 but still can't find a cure for many cancers?

#5 | Posted by CalifChris

A better question would be why the Republicans have cut funding to medical research on diseases that affect primarily women every time they get a chance.

Check out the voting record of the Republicans. They clearly hate women.

BuffaloBob and Murphy --

Not having our Moms here always seems tougher around Christmas time, doesn't it? I don't even have the small Christmas tree with twinkling lights hanging up on the front door as I've done every year in the past. I usually hang it up right after Thanksgiving but just wasn't in the mood this year. But maybe I'll go out to the garage and get it now and put the tree on the front door. I'll do it in memory of Christmases past for both of your Mothers and mine.

#4 | Posted by CalifChris at 2009-12-05 05:44 PM

BuffaloBob and Murphy,

Well, I just finished putting up "our Moms' Christmas tree" on the front door. The lights are all twinkling and it looks great.

- CC

Califchris

Thank you for the thought. I have a picture of my mom at my graduation, when she was only 42. She had already had radical mastectomies, but she still smoked. Had I known what I know now, I would have done much more to help her quit. She was a very dynamic person, having run a successful wedding gown business, starting with basically nothing. I don't even have a picture of my grandmother, but I still remember a home movie of her walking down a hill holding my hand as a young child. When I go visit my relatives on that side of the family, that is something I really want to locate--pictures of her and my grandfather. You are correct that we don't appreciate our parents as much as we should when we are younger. Now, there is no one even to apologize to.

Califchris

The video you posted was the video I was trying to link to---I don't knw what happened, but it won't come up for me either. Too bad---if the lionk at the head of the thread doesn't work, it destroys the effectiveness of the thread. I'll probably try to post another thread later on.

BuffaloBob -

...You are correct that we don't appreciate our parents as much as we should when we are younger. Now, there is no one even to apologize to.

And you'll know if one of them is around you if you'll just be receptive and open to any small signs you may receive (as in a John Edwards "Crossing Over" kind of way). An odd memory popping up out of nowhere, whatever. Don't just brush it off as mere coincidence as so many people tend to do.

...When I go visit my relatives on that side of the family, that is something I really want to locate -- pictures of her and my grandfather....

Hey, maybe you'll find someone in your family has even kept your grandfather's old cannonball in their basement all these years. You never know what may turn up. : )

Califchris

Just because I don't believe in the biblical god, that doesn't mean I don't believe in life after death. I think there can be a continuation of conciousness. Science doesn't actually know what consiousness is or where it comes from. We know it involves electrical impulses and some chemical reactions are necessary for human life, but after our bodies die, the electrical impulses could be transformed into an energy we don't understand. Reincarnation is also a possibility that I don't dismiss. What happens after death is unknown, I just don't believe in heaven or hell--I reject both concepts. I could not have respect for any god that would allow the torture of any soul for all eternity no matter what it had done---non existence would be adequate.

BuffaloBob

...Science doesn't actually know what consiousness is or where it comes from. We know it involves electrical impulses and some chemical reactions are necessary for human life, but after our bodies die, the electrical impulses could be transformed into an energy we don't understand...

"All good souls go to Heaven" -- or do they. Most religions teach "the soul never dies" so, at least in that one sense, even they leave open a possiblity for reincarnation. So many questions, yet so few proven answers.

It's late now, so I'll be saying good night.

Califchris

If those electrical impulses exist, it could be referred to as a soul---but that would not prove the existence of the biblical god. I still would think the biblical god was essentially evil. A god would have to be something better than I am---not just more powerful.

GET BACK TO WORK!

BuffaloBob

Califchris

...If those electrical impulses exist, it could be referred to as a soul --- but that would not prove the existence of the biblical god.

I figured you'd think I was going down the religion road and -- if I got you to agree with me on one having a "soul" -- then you had given me a "gotcha" moment when it came to admitting there is a God. But, really, I wasn't going there at all. Besides, I'm no dUmMy, lol. I've given up trying to win that argument with you and/or the other atheists on DR.

I was merely agreeing with you as to the possibility of there being an afterlife -- at least some type of extenuating existence after we leave our earth-bound bodies. Whether it be Heaven, reincarnation, or just another mass of electrical energy, who knows?

...I still would think the biblical god was essentially evil. A god would have to be something better than I am -- not just more powerful.

One thing I'll never understand about atheists is y'all insist if God didn't give you that so-called rosegarden in life then He must be evil and/or else not exist. Why? God never told anyone life would be easy and without sorrow. Oftentimes hardships can make one a stronger person. God never said everything would be perfect in life. Atheists are the ones who are putting those words in His mouth.

And why when something good happens -- such as a person recovering well from an accident or some good fortune comes their way -- is God never given a verbal pat on the back or even a thank you? Atheists will say the medical recovery could only have been due to one having good doctors or a fortunate person merely had a "streak of good luck" but they will never direct any credit God's way.

Atheists can't have it both ways -- saying it's proof there is no God if some things go badly in their life yet when things go well giving credit to everyone else but God. Just sayin'. : )

(p.s. -- watched a few minutes of the Cleveland Browns/SD Chargers football game and saw some snow on the field. Is it snowing where you are in Ohio? I wish we'd get a little snow here in SoCal around Christmas for a change. Geeze, I'd settle for anything -- even a little hail would be nice!)

busy, have to run

These employees should be terminated for goofing off on the clock. Or at least written up.

My mom survived cervical cancer at the age of 23. I was 4 years old.

She's my best friend and I talk to her daily, even though we don't live in the same city.

i was prepared to have a cynical comment about this video, watched it, too sweet!

There is no way of proving that the pink gloves were not produced in a factory on the moon.

I have been selflessly examining my wife's breasts ever since we started dating. I just want to make sure she's healthy.

One thing I'll never understand about atheists is y'all insist if God didn't give you that so-called rosegarden in life then He must be evil and/or else not exist. Why? God never told anyone life would be easy and without sorrow. Oftentimes hardships can make one a stronger person. God never said everything would be perfect in life. Atheists are the ones who are putting those words in His mouth.

It has nothing to do with a rosegarden in this life---it has to do with the actions claimed by god. Killing the first born in Egypt, including the firstborn of animals. Ordering the slaughter of whole cities including children and pregnant women. That's not such a good god in my opinion. There are plenty of modern atrocities that if there were a god would have to be blamed on him also. Children born with horrible defects--children getting brain cancer and dying.

And why when something good happens -- such as a person recovering well from an accident or some good fortune comes their way -- is God never given a verbal pat on the back or even a thank you? Atheists will say the medical recovery could only have been due to one having good doctors or a fortunate person merely had a "streak of good luck" but they will never direct any credit God's way.

God is given the pat on the back after most touchdowns--haven't you noticed? I see when someone comes through an accident, that they frequently credit god for their good fortune---forgetting that god allowed the accident to kill 30 other people. I don't blame god for the deformed children, or for the good fortune I have sometimes enjoyed. I live by what I have told you in the past----That that is, is. That that is not is not. I take reality at face value, and attribute nothing good or bad to any deity. Even the ancient gods that were worshipped by the Sumerians, Babylonians and others--even though I believe they were real--they were not gods--they just had superior tech.

Atheists can't have it both ways -- saying it's proof there is no God if some things go badly in their life yet when things go well giving credit to everyone else but God. Just sayin'. : )

My life is neither the proof of gods existence or a denial of his existence. The concept of god exists, whether it is reality or not.

(p.s. -- watched a few minutes of the Cleveland Browns/SD Chargers football game and saw some snow on the field. Is it snowing where you are in Ohio? I wish we'd get a little snow here in SoCal around Christmas for a change. Geeze, I'd settle for anything -- even a little hail would be nice!)

We got just a bit here today for the first time. The problem now will be if it rains and freezes--the roads will be terrible. Driving in snow takes a special skill, and the snow has been so rare here, that very few understand what to do when the roads are covered. It is like trying to drive when all the other drivers are drunk. Some are speeding along in their 4 wheel drive SUV's thinking they are safe at that speed while not understanding it is the STOPPING that is critical. Others go along at 10 mph thinking they are safe, never thinking about people smashing into their rear end or being forced off the road to avoid a collision. You just have to be super aware of the cars 200 feet in front of you, and the cars 200 feet in back of you. Slow down for the snails, and get out of the way of the speeders. A couple of shots of tequilla before getting behind the wheel helps too(j/k).

busy, have to run

Me too.

#16 | Posted by CalifChris at 2009-12-06 07:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

BuffaloBob

Re your #22

...God is given the pat on the back after most touchdowns-- haven't you noticed? I see when someone comes through an accident, that they frequently credit god for their good fortune---forgetting that god allowed the accident to kill 30 other people.

...I don't blame god for the deformed children, or for the good fortune I have sometimes enjoyed. I live by what I have told you in the past --- That that is, is. That that is not is not....

You wrote: "That that is is that that is not is not" and ran the words all together and then you asked me if I would be able to punctuate it correctly. So when I gave it a shot and only made only one (?) error -- misplaced a comma or something -- you said my attempt wasn't "too bad." gee thanks. lol

I take reality at face value, and attribute nothing good or bad to any deity. Even the ancient gods that were worshipped by the Sumerians, Babylonians and others--even though I believe they were real--they were not gods--they just had superior tech.

...My life is neither the proof of gods existence or a denial of his existence. The concept of god exists, whether it is reality or not.

We got just a bit here today for the first time. The problem now will be if it rains and freezes--the roads will be terrible. Driving in snow takes a special skill, and the snow has been so rare here, that very few understand what to do when the roads are covered. It is like trying to drive when all the other drivers are drunk. Some are speeding along in their 4 wheel drive SUV's thinking they are safe at that speed while not understanding it is the STOPPING that is critical. Others go along at 10 mph thinking they are safe, never thinking about people smashing into their rear end or being forced off the road to avoid a collision. You just have to be super aware of the cars 200 feet in front of you, and the cars 200 feet in back of you. Slow down for the snails, and get out of the way of the speeders. A couple of shots of tequilla before getting behind the wheel helps too (j/k).

BuffaloBob --

Just wanted to say this video and thread was a nice tribute you put up in memory of your Mom. From your description of her she sounded like a wonderful, vibrant person. And I know you miss her.

Take care.

#24 | Posted by CalifChris at 2009-12-08 01:54 AM | Reply | Flag:

I went to Classmates.com and put her in her high school class with her picture. My real tribute to her is there for anyone who knew her from her school days, telling of her life and how and when she died. I told how much she gave to me, and gave the thanks I was never bright enough to give her while she lived.

24 | Posted by CalifChris at 2009-12-08 01:54 AM

I went to Classmates.com and put her in her high school class with her picture. My real tribute to her is there for anyone who knew her from her school days, telling of her life and how and when she died. I told how much she gave to me, and gave the thanks I was never bright enough to give her while she lived.

Posted by Buffalo_Bob

And there's no need to chastise yourself for not having told your Mom how much she meant to you when you were younger and she was still here. These reflections you're going through now are often only gathered by one after a long period of time but, unlike the song lyrics by the Stones, time is not always on our side. Still, I believe she knows.