When Thumbs Up Is No Comfort

[Guest guest]

By JAN HOFFMAN

Published: June 1, 2008

OVER the Memorial Day weekend, the actor Swayze, who is being

treated for pancreatic cancer, made a pointedly public appearance at a Los

Angeles Lakers game, looking strong-jawed and bright-eyed. He released a

statement about his lively schedule and good response to therapy. Meanwhile,

Senator Ted Kennedy, who had recently left Massachusetts General Hospital

with a diagnosis of brain cancer, flashing crowds a thumbs up, competed in a

sailing race. International headlines cheered, " Fight, Ted, Fight! "

As public figures are stricken with harrowing illness, the images of them as

upbeat - think of the former White House spokesman Tony Snow,

, the actress Farrah Fawcett - accompanied by stirring martial

language, have almost become routine.

" Whether you're a celebrity or an ordinary person, it's obligatory, no

matter how badly you're feeling about it, to display optimism publicly, "

said Dr. Barron H. Lerner, the author of " When Illness Goes Public. "

That optimism reassures anxious relatives, the public and doctors,

regardless of whether it accurately reflects the patient's emotional state.

" If Ted Kennedy wanted to stick up his middle finger, " Dr. Lerner added,

" that would be the more appropriate finger, but he's doing what he is

supposed to. "

To read the entire article click link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/health/01stoical.html?ex=1369972800 & en=716

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or

http://tinyurl.com/6plkgc

Kathy

Follow your bliss and doors will open where there were no doors before.

ph