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"There maybe tough moments maybe for, you know, an hour or a couple of days potentially, but life goes on and you get a second chance."

Do you believe in this?

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  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Aug 20 2012: I don't believe it all. The people who do not get a second chance will not be telling you about it because they are dead. Life goes on, but not necessarily your life.

    I certainly believe that an optimistic attitude is the best attitude. But when evaluating situations and options to make a specific decision, cold realism is required.

    The husband of a co-worker recently died. He had cancer. The cancer did not kill him, the treatment did.

    I once had a neighbor with a painful back. He could get around and work around the house, but the back pain just kept getting worse. He decided to have back surgery. The surgery was not successful. He spent the next eighteen months confined indoors with a painful back and then died.

    My wife has lupus. Short of a miracle her tough moments will last the rest of her life.

    If you still need convincing, please read the obituary pages for yourself. This is getting too depressing.
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Aug 20 2012: Your points are well taken, Barry. In fact another woman who had surgery by that same surgeon that same day died. He claims to have never had this side effect in 23 years. BUT for those of us who are left alive and wish to be honourable, how does life go on -becomes the question. Do we force people into unlivable situations to maintain their honour? Is this life? The questions are many. When does choosing life become dishonorable? Life for whom?

      • Barry Palmer 50+

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        Aug 21 2012: Debra, I am not sure what your point is.

        We should never force anyone into unlivable situations.

        I believe that choosing life is always honorable, with the possible exception of the extreme situation where choosing life for yourself means death for others.

        There are sad situations where choosing death for yourself is honorable.
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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Aug 21 2012: I can see that I was very unclear. I feel some guilt that I had a son in the recovery room that alerted help for me and that other woman who had a very similar surgery died without an advocate. I spoke to my son and I was able to get him to speak to a neurosurgeon on my behalf. The fact that I have a great education helped to make my input credible.My point had more to do with the surgeon and his choosing his life and lifestyle over the truth which he probably feels he has the right to do but I strongly disagree with. I think I deserve better and she sure did. I wonder if her family even knows what went down.

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