How Long Have I Got Left? • Hacker News Board

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#81

Post by zrail » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 1:41 PM UTC

ifktaotc wrote: post #29

A few years ago I got testicular cancer. The information about the disease came in pieces: first all I knew was that there was a lump; then came the ultrasound, the CT scan, then biopsy of the testicle, then a second surgery to sample lymph nodes to which the cancer might have spread. At every step I would obsessively query my doctors for conditional probabilities: given what we'd just found out, what were the chance…

Thank you. When I was diagnosed (IIa good) my fiancé an I spent three hours with my medical oncologist going through exactly what treatment would be, probabilities of relapse, relative risks, everything. She is a wonderful doctor.

Also, just to jump on the train, if something is weird with your testicles, pain or lumps or whatever, go see a doctor. I waited longer than I should have and it probably made my treatment harder than it could have been.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#82

Post by pstack » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 1:54 PM UTC

ifktaotc wrote: post #29

A few years ago I got testicular cancer. The information about the disease came in pieces: first all I knew was that there was a lump; then came the ultrasound, the CT scan, then biopsy of the testicle, then a second surgery to sample lymph nodes to which the cancer might have spread. At every step I would obsessively query my doctors for conditional probabilities: given what we'd just found out, what were the chance…

It doesn't help that life or death issues for men, like testicular cancer, are almost completely ignored. About a decade ago, I had the same concern as you and after a scary doctor visit (which included his female assistant observing, which added to the discomfort but that all mitigated by the more terrifying prospect of this being a life-threatening concern) followed by an ultrasound at the hospital, I was relieved to find out it was nothing to be worried about.

After that, though, I started to think. I realized that the only reason I knew to be concerned was because just shortly before that, I'd heard Lance Armstrong's story in a sport's magazine.

I realized that every single male 20-34 knows about breast cancer and ovarian cancer and that women are supposed to be regularly checked all all of these concerns promoted by countless events and product promotions and charities . . . but very few of them probably have the slightest clue about their own medical concerns that they should be looking after. Because nobody bothers to emphasize the need to inform them and educate them.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#83

Post by mietek » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 1:55 PM UTC

MichaelGG wrote: post #53

benjohnson wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a Christian, I would agree that there is no heaven in this universe. God is out of place and time.

What does that even mean? Making up meaningless deep-sounding statements doesn't really further any argument. Here's some I just made up: "We shouldn't fear death any more than an unborn baby fears birth. Death is our true birth." "Everyone has faith. The only difference is that some people try to define faith, while others let faith define them." "The world absolutely runs on discoverable physical laws - no exceptio…

Assume the universe is not just computable [1], but actually computed, that is, running as a virtual machine under a hypervisor.

How do we detect the presence of the hypervisor and break out of virtualisation? [2]

Bonus: What is the name of the sysadmin?

[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_physics

[2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Pill_(software)#Other_uses

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#84

Post by jamesrcole » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 1:57 PM UTC

narrator wrote: post #79

300bps wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, I was raised Christian and realized at 12 years old that it was complete bunk. How did I realize that? I read the bible. Literally every day. I read it cover to cover at least 15 times. It contains pearls of wisdom floating in a sea of nonsense. No rational person can read that book cover to cover and remain a Christian. Which is why Christians have bible study groups where they focus on John 3:16 and other pr…

The bible makes as much sense as most ancient literature. I read it and compared it to ancient Greek, Roman and Babylonian literature. It's interesting to compare and contrast what values are emphasized over others. The old testament is very into offspring and private property, mainly in the form of livestock. The Greeks are more into glory for its own sake. Gilgamesh is about friendship, civilization vs.nature and t…

> The bible makes as much sense as most ancient literature.

I don't see why that's a meaningful comparison. I'm inclined to say, so what?

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#85

Post by pstack » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 1:59 PM UTC

obituary_latte wrote: post #19

sdegutis wrote: post #17

For a long time I've been pretty worried about my mortality. But ever since I became a Christian a couple years ago, I've been much more at peace about it. Not all the way (yet?), but much more than before. I highly recommend looking into Christianity to anyone else feeling that same fear.

Please don't downvote just because you disagree. Have a discussion if you're comfortable with your beliefs. It would do more good for all involved.

There's no discussion to be had. A toddler may feel at ease because someone convinced him his flashlight will fend off the monsters in his closet and under his bed. It helps the kid sleep, but there's no enlightened, meaningful, or useful discussion to be had from that.

If I tell you "I believe in the healing power of crystals and wear them around my neck and it has helped me come to a certain peace with my mortality", you would either say "well, good for you if that helps your mental state cope with things" or "you're fucking nuts". Neither avenue is going to progress, inform, or help anyone.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#86

Post by nicolethenerd » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 2:03 PM UTC

aaronsnoswell wrote: post #80

I don't understand how everyone here was able to read this article - I browse to that link and get a message telling me it is locked behind a paywall, requiring my subscription before I can read it. Do all HN readers also subscribe to the NY Times?

You should get 10 free articles a month before the paywall appears. I'm guessing most HN readers haven't used up their quota yet.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#87

Post by ct1 » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 2:08 PM UTC

ifktaotc wrote: post #29

A few years ago I got testicular cancer. The information about the disease came in pieces: first all I knew was that there was a lump; then came the ultrasound, the CT scan, then biopsy of the testicle, then a second surgery to sample lymph nodes to which the cancer might have spread. At every step I would obsessively query my doctors for conditional probabilities: given what we'd just found out, what were the chance…

I have (had?) salivary gland cancer. Diagnosed before 30 at a IVa stage. I had surgery, radio and chemo. After that, the 5-years survival rate is 1 in 10. And if you do make it, your quality if life is significantly impacted and you're permanently disfigured - radical neck surgery ain't pretty.

I have a background in academia and despite the fact that I like to tell myself that I am some unique snowflake and that I'll make it, I know where I stand. No doctor told me, but I went to PubMed myself.

Am I pleased to know that? Not sure. And it kind of bothers me the fact that all my daily careful efforts will all boil down pretty soon to an event that is as dumb as the outcome of rolling a dice.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#88

Post by pstack » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 2:09 PM UTC

gjm11 wrote: post #49

dollar wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's right Jesus freaks, downvote me to HELL!

Unapologetic atheist here. I downvoted your complaint about downvoting because such complaints add nothing to HN. (I do share your distaste at the way some Christians have seized on this as a preaching opportunity.)

Frankly, the entire religion aspect of the discussion doesn't belong here.

As an atheist, I'm entirely fine with you finding comfort in whatever you like, even if it is completely irrational. It is your business. I also accomplish nothing by being "militant" toward people simply for believing in something. That is best reserved for situations where that belief or things drawn from it are imposed upon the rest of society. For example, in public education, science, politicians, taxation, decisions of national importance. Things where that belief impacting beyond the scope of an individual's life are forced upon everyone and on behalf of everyone.

However, it is also quite ridiculous to use this opportunity about an important topic to start telling people they should somehow convince themselves to believe in something metaphysical, because "it'll bring you peace". You aren't the Hare Krishna and this isn't the local airport. Let's leave the discussion at something like "I'm religious and find some solace and peace in my religion that helps me cope with potential mortality".

Telling people they should "believe in jesus" and linking to ridiculous books or interviews about why they should believe in jesus in incredibly self-serving, inappropriate, and counter-productive.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#89

Post by polysics » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 2:14 PM UTC

sdegutis wrote: post #17

For a long time I've been pretty worried about my mortality. But ever since I became a Christian a couple years ago, I've been much more at peace about it. Not all the way (yet?), but much more than before. I highly recommend looking into Christianity to anyone else feeling that same fear.

I have gone the exact opposite path, from a life pretty entrenched in Christianity, to skepticism, to a conclusion that led me towards hard atheism. I feel like I am sure there is no supernatural creator, and the only love we receive is from people. I now thank people for their good, not God, and get angry at them for their bad, not at Satan. Religion starts off by lifting your responsibilities, and that is the worst part in my opinion.

That said, it has improved my outlook on death too. I think there is no point worrying about an inevitable event that has no consequences other than the disappearance of a, maybe loved, person.

No one knows what you feel, and no one ever has come back from it. That makes death pretty unconsequential, as there is NOTHING you can do about it.

Re: How Long Have I Got Left?

#90

Post by thejteam » Sat, Jan 25, 2014, 2:18 PM UTC

thomasz wrote: post #63

> We never cite detailed statistics, and usually advise against Googling survival numbers, assuming the average patient doesn’t possess a nuanced understanding of statistics When I was at the receiving end of that talk, this attitude made me incredibly angry. They know exactly that we will look up those numbers, they are just too afraid to have a honest discussion with us. People make very bad decisions because those…

Many doctors also don't have a nuanced understanding of statistics. They can quote you the survival numbers you can read elsewhere and they can quote you other people's interpretation of them, but if you have a question that deviates from the literature they are familiar with they may not be able to provide additional interpretation.

Do medical schools teach stats? I know a couple of doctors(General Practitioners) that never took a stats class as an undergrad. My brother is a PhD in Cellular Biology and he learned stats as he went and never had a formal class.