A way to honor Keith's cancer scare...

[Muffstser]

I have an idea, gang. Let's either make a group, or individual, donation to the American Cancer Society in Keith's name. I bet he'd love it.

[RevCheesehead]

1. I'm in.

[Muffstser]

2. Oh, thanks, Rev.

Part of why this is hitting me so hard is that I've had three friends diagnosed with lymphoma within the stretch of 14 months. Thank God...literally...all of them survived. But the horror of the not knowing, the chemo and its horrible after effects, and the fear are something I'll never forget. That feeling of utter helplessness is unreal. (Oh crap...I'm bawling again.)

[RevCheesehead]

3. I know.

Cancer is just horrible. I watched Gerald die in 7 months. When death came, it was merciful. Yesterday was our first day back in church since the funeral. Very sad and somber.

Your responses are truly wonderful, and heartfelt. God bless you, sister.

[Muffstser]

4. You know, you nailed it.

When my best friend's husband died at age 29, after two heart transplants and fighting so valiantly, it was a relief, in a way. He didn't need to suffer anymore, and I have no doubt that he's with the angels. What's so awful is to watch the people who loved him so much suffer such unbearable pain. And you can do nothing...NOTHING...to stop it.

Rev, you'll be in my prayers, too. Bet on it.

[RevCheesehead]

5. you, too.

:hug:

[gkhouston]

6. I'm in.

My best fried had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, stage 3, at the age of 33. She beat it -- she's still around 14 years later (as a matter of fact, she's in NYC right now, going to ball games and museums), but the chemo was so horrible.

[Muffstser]

7. GK, you raised an important point.

It's not just the cancer...it's the chemo. Fortunately, my friend did beat it. But the chemo she took (and it was a short stretch) was what's really done the damage. She has numbness in her feet and legs, and her energy level has never really come back. While she's grateful to be alive, it's definitely had a negative impact on her life. Cancer is hell. Literally.

[RevCheesehead]

8. Hell, if Crispini kicks the habit, I'm making one in HER name!

Of course, the ACS would be asking "who the hell is Crispini?"

[gkhouston]

9. they *would* wonder... but they'd take

the money, all the same.

btw, I'm in for that, as well.

[RevCheesehead]

10. Should we "Pay Pal" it?

Memories of tie shopping still haunt me. I think Crispini was our treasurer.

We'll send Keith a letter, and update him on how she's doing. At her one-year of being nicotine-free, Keith can meet her for a NYC date. :loveya: (or at least sends her a publicity pic, autographed, of course!)

[gkhouston]

11. pay pal's fine by me.

I don't think we can offer KO as bait... and even if we could, we shouldn't. Too many KOEBer's might take up the Evil Weed just to kick the habit and reap the reward! :evilgrin:

[crispini]

16. ROFL!

Well, I haven't had one so far today, so hour sixteen (or thereabouts) is proceeding apace. Hell, if you're giving out Keef as the prize, I'll quit two or three or four times! :rofl:

[Muffstser]

12. So, how should we do this, gang?

Who wants to be treasurer? I do have a PayPal account, and would be glad to put it on my credit card (once my payment goes through).

Of course, I'll make sure you all get copies of the PayPal receipt. Whatever you want is fine.

[gkhouston]

15. okay with me n/t

[crispini]

17. I'll participate...

but why not just make individual donations, no reason to funnel it all through Pay Pal (and give them their cut) when it's easy enough to just go straight to ACS.... :shrug:

[Catchawave]

13. I'm out.....

Lung Cancer is a genetic crap shoot, Dana Reeve never smoked :shrug:

[gkhouston]

14. cancer is multi-factorial.

The genetic angle, for better or worse, is beyond our grasp. Smoking, which is an enormous risk factor, IS something that can be addressed. Doing nothing about a big risk factor because other risk factors exist is flat-out stupid.

Sorry if that sounded harsh, as it wasn't aimed at you personally, but I have little patience with the "it's all in the genes, so why should I bother quitting?" arguments. People wouldn't dream of driving down the freeway at 70mph with their eyes shut and leave it up to Fate as to whether or not they have a wreck, yet they'll sucker themselves into thinking there's nothing risky about smoking for decades.

[Catchawave]

18. No offense taken....

...and yes, I was touched by Keith's diatribe last night.

Guess I'm just one of those *aging hippies* who hasn't grown up, and wants to live until she dies. Have no desire to give up cigs, sun and happy hours. :hug:

[Berry Cool]

19. GK is right, Catch.

You may well feel like giving up cigs, sun and happy hours when the toll they take turns out not to be worth the joy. When that happens, it is not "living" you are doing.

But I guess you have to have it happen to YOU, not even Keith, to have it hit home.

Which was Keith's point, after all. When it happens to YOU, everything changes.

Me, I'll be making a private donation of my own.

[Catchawave]

20. That was my personal *thing*

...otherwise, where's Cindy Sheehan on Keith's show tonight, that should bother you more? :evilgrin:

[Berry Cool]

21. Are you asking why Cindy Sheehan's absence doesn't bother me more

than cancer?

Not sure I got you there.

[gkhouston]

31. perhaps he wants to cover that story tonight or tomorrow

when the news value is greater.

[Muffstser]

22. Let's go ahead and do it individually. What's important?

That we do it at all!

My check's flying out the door tomorrow. Twenty bucks ain't much, but hopefully it'll help, ya know?

I'm still feeling guilty as hell, though...:(

[crispini]

23. what are you feeling guilty about again?

Ok, and is there a link to the ACS website so we can donate online? I'm so lazy.

[RevCheesehead]

24. Hey, Crispi - be sure to see Keith's blog.

But eat first, the tumor pic is there. It's nothing gross, just the inside of Keith's mouth (caption says "Keith Olbermann, up close and very personal.) :)

[Janice325]

25. Wow!!!

I just went to Keith's blog and found out what ya'll were referring to. All I can say is "Wow!" again.
Poor Keef. No wonder he was not there last week.
Wow, again.
I'm glad I don't smoke, not that it means anything anymore, with secondhand smoke and such.:(
Poor Keef.

[crispini]

26. That is not anywhere NEAR as gross

as the melanomas they put on right after that. Unless he has even grosser ones to put up for us later.

Let's count his fillings and add it to his Wikipedia entry. :rofl:

[RevCheesehead]

27. Don't forget the crown.

Oh, I'm sure SOME website has already bookmarked, analyzed, and documented the entire contents of Keith's mouth. :crazy:

[Berry Cool]

28. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.

They put everything else about a celebrity's life on the Web...why not his dental work?

[crispini]

29. You forget, my dear Rev, that WE

quite possibly may have the honor of being the biggest Keith-philes on the web. Or at least we come close. Sounds like a fine mission, Rev, why don't you run right out and do it? :silly:

[RevCheesehead]

30. Not now - Sparky's in the clubhouse!!!

:hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya::hug::loveya:

[gkhouston]

32. ooh, smart Sparky

stayed away long enough to avoid the :spank: for being gone. I knew there had to be a master strategy at work here. (I'm working up from the oldest thread to the newest, so this is the first news I've had of our bad boy slinking home.)

[Gogi]

33. Muffster, getting this group together on anything is like herding cats!

eom

[Muffstser]

34. I know a cat herder!

She lives in Dallas, and has five cats. I always tease her that she has cats because she can't have cattle in her backyard.

[gkhouston]

35. I used to be a cat wrangler :-)

back when Mary had 10 of the beasties. You should have seen the day we took 9 of them to the vet at the same time.

I think Crispi may have the right of it; we'll follow your excellent suggestion but make individual donations and the task will actually get done faster that way. Great idea, Muffy!

[Muffstser]

36. American Cancer Society or American Lung Association?

Which do you all think is more appropriate...or should I split it between the two?

[gkhouston]

37. they're both good organizations

and I'm sure both would be happy to take your money... whatever blows your skirts up. :evilgrin:

[crispini]

38. Hahahaha! One of my dear former coworkers used to use that

expression ALL the time. Haven't thought of him in years, heh!

[gkhouston]

39. haven't thought of him in years?

must not have been that good a blower. :evilgrin:

[crispini]

40. He was always just a comrade in arms.

He moved to Alaska. Quite the character.

[crispini]

41. Ok, mine's in.

Not much, but every bit counts.