topic Re: Why must we always be “brave?” in Community Chat

Why must we always be “brave?”

LilacTree — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:23:25 GMT

Alex Trebek just announced he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He intends to keep on working and vows to “beat this thing.” He is being lauded for being “brave.”

In my opinion he should, instead, spend these precious days with his family, who probably haven’t seen much of him in the last 40 years. Be brave for them, not his TV audience.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Sunnycorle — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:26:23 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
Alex Trebek just announced he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He intends to keep on working and vows to “beat this thing.” He is being lauded for being “brave.”

In my opinion he should, instead, spend these precious days with his family, who probably haven’t seen much of him in the last 40 years. Be brave for them, not his TV audience.

I am a breast cancer survivor and unless you are facing cancer I don't think anyone can question how Brave you are when you are fighting it. And everyone lives their own life how they want to. Its called Freedom.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Mj12 — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:54:26 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
Alex Trebek just announced he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He intends to keep on working and vows to “beat this thing.” He is being lauded for being “brave.”

In my opinion he should, instead, spend these precious days with his family, who probably haven’t seen much of him in the last 40 years. Be brave for them, not his TV audience.

He should spend every single remaining moment doing exactly what HE wants to do - be it work a few hours a day, etc. I cannot judge anyone with such a diagnosis.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Bri369 — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:31:16 GMT

He is brave.

Standing there asking for prayers and support and having the stamina to fight for his life - immeasurable.

He has every right to do as he wishes and shouldn't be judged. If he wants to work and be surrounded by positive people, good for him. He doesn't need to sit home feeling sorry for himself for however long he has left.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:31:19 GMT

If I could save time in a bottle ~

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

CrazyDaisy — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:32:03 GMT

Anyone who fights a life threatening condition rather than just give up is brave. How a person chooses to live their life is their choice. For some people continuing to work is an important part of the process.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:32:35 GMT

Did the person lauding Mr. Trebek for "being brave" specifically state that the bravery was not for his family?

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

gidgetgh — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:33:40 GMT

@LilacTree - lots of presumptions there on your part.

How do we have any idea how much time he does or doesn’t spend with his family? I don’t know him so I wouldn’t have a clue. And...it’s none of my business.

And, I think anyone facing a life changing health situation has to be brave to face whatever is ahead for them treatment wise. It’s not for his tv audience. I haven’t had cancer so I don’t presume to speak for anyone, but I would think you’d need to dig deep and be brave to face the illness.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

SahmIam — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:33:52 GMT

My father died of pancreatic cancer. He chose not to "fight" if you will via the drugs, the radiation, etc. He lived his life as he chose to until one day, he felt so bad that he asked to be taken to the hospital. 5 days later, I took him off life support. He was surrounded by those he loved. That's how he wanted it . Was he brave? I think so. I think anyone who knows they are going to die but not exactly when and continues living life as they choose is brave.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

DrakesMomma — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:36:13 GMT

We are all different. Every cancer journey is different.

My cancer diagnosis came when I was 29. I didn't want to be treated differently because of the diagnosis. But I was. I found out who truly cared for me and who didn't. The people I thought were closest to me turned out to be the ones furthest away.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Travone — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:39:23 GMT

Not sure why you don't think he is spending time with his family. I believe they tape 5 or more shows in a day. He is probably only working one day a week.....think that leaves plenty of time to be with his family. He should (as we all should) spend are time doing what makes us happiest regardless of what the judgy people think.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

depglass — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:44:13 GMT

He has been working long past average retirement age, and I'm sure he has plenty of money. So my assumption is he loves what he's doing;. More power to him.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

twentysixteen — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 04:25:45 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
Alex Trebek just announced he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He intends to keep on working and vows to “beat this thing.” He is being lauded for being “brave.”

In my opinion he should, instead, spend these precious days with his family, who probably haven’t seen much of him in the last 40 years. Be brave for them, not his TV audience.

@LilacTree

I think your assumptions about time he's spent over the years with his family are incorrect.

I read some interviews and articles last year when there was talk of him retiring.

He's been married to his 2nd wife for about 29 or 30 years.

His favorite past time is being home with family and tinkering around the house fixing things according to him and according to his kids.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

chrystaltree — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:46:44 GMT

Good grief, this is such a mean and cruel post that it doesn't even warrant a response.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Ms tyrion2 — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:50:27 GMT

No one should be told how to live OR how to die.

My mantra is:

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

~hunter s. Thompson~

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

LilacTree — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:52:55 GMT

I do agree he, and and anyone else, should do what he wants to do, and I should not judge him. I apologize for singling him out, that was wrong.

on the whole, I guess I just don’t understand the concept that anyone facing such a diagnosis feels he/she has to be “brave” about it. It’s bad enough knowing one’s days are numbered, but then to have to pretend on top of that doesn’t seem right to me either.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

game-on — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:54:06 GMT

When I heard Alex's announcement.... I wondered why he wanted to continue working.... but I had to remember that he has to choose his own way to face this journey.

I know that he will have a tough time.... and I wish him well.

I believe my choice would be to spend my last days doing things I love.... but maybe working is what he loves?

I know I wish him peace.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

twentysixteen — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 04:23:41 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
I do agree he, and and anyone else, should do what he wants to do, and I should not judge him. I apologize for singling him out, that was wrong.

on the whole, I guess I just don’t understand the concept that anyone facing such a diagnosis feels he/she has to be “brave” about it. It’s bad enough knowing one’s days are numbered, but then to have to pretend on top of that doesn’t seem right to me either.

Jmo I don't think it's fair assumption that he's "pretending" or others are though.

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

on the bay — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:59:19 GMT

Maybe that IS how he is being brave.

I thought his post was so encouraging and hope that if I had a devastating diagnosis like that, I would have the same great spirit.

I wouldn't ever assume how much love and time he gets to spend with his family, and also doing what he loves.

I salute you Alex Tribeck!

Re: Why must we always be “brave?”

Bri369 — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:00:10 GMT

Pretending?

Should he lock himself in his bedroom and just wait to die?

I can't even imagine what he and his family are facing right now.