People do not come with Expiration dates!

I came across this article in the NY times today by Mr. Rod Nordland.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/04/well/live/brain-cancer-rod-nordland.html?smid=url-share

Mr. Nordland had a 40 year long career as an international journalist who had been in and out of war zones and like so many high-achieving individuals, he sacrificed his family relationships for his career. (This is from what he has written) Then at the age of 70, he had a seizure and of course since this is a cancer blog, you know the outcome- Brain cancer. Specifically glioblastoma (G.B.M. or glioblastoma multiforme) in his case, unfortunately, stage 4. The surgeon who removed the tumor gave him the standard advice based on our best understanding of the prognosis is that he had perhaps 15 months to live.  That was more than 5 years ago.

The article is excellent about a “Second Life” (a chance to fix things in your life not the video game) and how he decided to, and was able to, reconnect with estranged children. Overall, it is a great read.

However, MY takeaway (and the point I wish to make to you tonight) is that when people are diagnosed with cancer among the first things that they want to know is “How long do I have?”  ANY answer is AT BEST an educated guess. There is no warranty that comes with that number so if you MUST get an estimate, take it with a grain of salt:

PEOPLE DO NOT COME WITH EXPIRATION DATES.

Mr. Nordland is still going strong and long may he(and you) do so!