Being Mortal

Michael Jackson died today. Michael died of cardiac arrest as reported online. Who has given it a thought that the seemingly invincible King of Pop would die at 50? When he was in the midst of making a come back?

So did Farrah Fawcett. And Farrah died of cancer after battling it since 2006 when she was first diagnosed. In the program "Farrah Story", she mentioned that she was aware that everybody dies but she didn't want to die of cancer. But then, really, what choice we mortals have about how we die? or how or where we were born for that matter? The only choice we have is how we live our lives.

Many people asked me whether I have thought about my own death. My answer is yes, but I don't dwell on it because death is something we have no control of. When the time comes for you to go, you go, no matter what. Thinking about it would not make any difference and would not change the situation in any way.

Having cancer does not mean I'll die any sooner than others who are cancer free. Since embracing cancer, in 2008, I've seen many perfectly healthy people around me who have passed on. And so have others who were afflicted with other types of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, dengue, and now, we are faced with another life threatening issue, the H1N1 or the swine flu.

I've just read about an Australian cancer survivor lady who has just died of H1N1. She did not even die of cancer. The problem with cancer survivors is that their immune systems have been compromised because of the harsh treatments that they have gone through. This makes them susceptible to germs and virus.

So, bearing that in mind, I'd really have to be extra careful in maintaining hygiene and also in socialising in public places. Well, that shouldn't be too hard because since having slurring speech, I have cut down on socialising quite significantly.

Bye, for now.

"Never stop fighting"