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What We Can Learn From David Blaine Part I

Most of the headlines this morning read something like "David Blaine Fails To Set World Record" or "Blaine's Buildup Fizzled" or David Blaine's Bubble Burst." But isn't this simply a case of catergorizing the glass (or let's say the bubble)as half empty when it really was half full?
     To me, what Blaine accomplished was amazing and inspiring, raising the bar for what is possible with the human mind, body and spirit.
     There was one part that struck home during his Navy Seal training sessions when Blaine was doing pushups in the hot sand. The  Seal instructor said something like "block out the pain, it doesn't exist", just connect with who you are and it the pain will disappear.
     But more telling was another part, where Blaine was meeting his long-timer hero for the first time -- motorcycle stunt legend, Evil Kneivel. Kneivel was contending that you had to be "born" to do the truly amazing in life, to push yourself beyond normal boundaries.
     It was obvious at least to me that Blaine had a different take, but ended up deferring to the aging and very ill legend. What Blaine seemed to want to say is that we're all potentially David Blaine's and Evil Kneivels -- given the right circumstances, courgage, motivation and willpower.
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Avatar universal
"less than 5
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Avatar universal
Interesting thread,really is. You know there
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Avatar universal
I knew you didn't exclude me--but you know--it was so YOU to send another message to include me.  Thank you for your sensitivity!
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96938 tn?1189799858
I've followed the story as well and admire those who challenge that which is dangerous or that which is unknown.  I'm much more impressed by the latter because I can't figure out the former. The ingrediants you mentioned; circumstances, courgage, motivation and willpower are certainly reminiscent of the folks here, especially those tx multi-war veterans. God bless them all. Perhaps it's the motivation component for basejumpers, gorge tight-rope walkers, the David Blaines and the Evil Knevils that I just don't get. But then again, a lot of folks here jump out of a low flying plane having no idea who rigged the chute or even if the pack contains a chute or a pouch of confetti.
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Avatar universal
I understand your resevations about the motivation of those who push the limits to the point of endangering their health and even life. Yet, I've always been fascinated by stories of mountain climbers and was struck by that famous quote by Sir Edmund Hilliary, the first to climb Everest.

When asked why, Sir Edmund replied "Because it's there."

Personally, I've more than dabbled in some extreme sporting events other might (and have) consider nuts. And maybe it was, but what's more important than all that -- and I think this where we all agree --  is the amazing ability of the human mind to endure and overcome obstacles, whether in a fishbowl or on treatment.

-- Jim
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Avatar universal
I am only 34 so I am not that worldly...People that inspire me on a daily basis are Jim Henson, Joeseph Merrick, Anyone who died young(pre-teen), Neil Armstrong, and My Mom.

Personally I cant learn **** from David Blaine that I havent already learned from a yogi, and I wish he would get back to old fasioned magic tricks..  But if it inspires you and keeps you going, more power to it.

I tell you what, these young ladies on this forum who are half way through tx are my heroes.  Jeesh Louise I hope I have 1/4th the courage if I get the option to tx.  I can barely manage going in tomorrow to meet my new HVC doctor let alone go through tx.
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96938 tn?1189799858
But no one ever speaks of Tensing Norgay who, I think, is the hero. Edmund : "I want to go to the top of Everest, because it's there"  Tensing: "OK, I got a couple of days free, I'll take you and show you the way"
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119874 tn?1189755829
"I'll take you and show you the way."

Friends like that inspire me (like all those on this Forum who show each of us the way through treatment/up our own Everest).


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Avatar universal
I think David Blaine is an illusionist and as such...couldn't have succeeded because if he broke the record it would have to be legal and vetted and all of that...

I think he's a great master of pretend and a lot of that helps me with this disease - coming to work and pretending I'm ok, pretending I have "cancer", blah blah blah.  I've gotten to be such a great illusionist/actress on my own now that well...I might head for the soaps (as soon as I gain some weight, grow some hair, get rid of my wrinkles, bruises and scars) hahah

;)
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Avatar universal
I am with you about thinking about going to meet a new doctor.  I meet mine a week from today.  I'm having a bad day today due to fear.  I made the mistake of reading too much on the internet today about HCV.  Sometimes I just need to leave it along. I'm just scared.
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132578 tn?1189755837
OMG , I hate those days. Fear is a terrible thing to have to deal with , especially when our ability to reason out real fear from irrational fear is compromised by the tx. The thing that scares me , is how unpredictable the treatment is . Day in Day out. I never know how I'm going to feel , I never know if I'm going to wake up with a huge rash on my forhead , I cant really plan anything because I dont know what tomorrow brings.Not that we ever do , but in life we are offered slightly better odds about the near future at least.

Hang in there , I'm scared too.
Only good can come from a doctor visit.
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Avatar universal
That's part of my fear...tx..I haven't even had the biopsy yet. From all the research that I've been doing, I better get on an AD if I do get to do tx.  If I freak this much naturally, there is no telling what I will be like during tx
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96938 tn?1189799858
There's nothing wrong with a bit of fear - it can be a worthwhile motivator.  The defense to fear is accurate knowledge that you get in such a way that it matches your circumstances. Going to the doc next week, understanding your options and figuring where you stand with respect to your insurnace concerns put you in position to square-up against the fear in front of you. You're doing the right things - consider it a rite of passage so you can square-up with it behind you.  Think about the things you want to know, write them down, bring it to your doc appt, let him know you have a list, position yourself between him and the door, stay there until you get to the end of the list. Good luck - it gets better.
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Avatar universal
>>>"I made the mistake of reading too much on the internet today about HCV. Sometimes I just need to leave it along. I'm just scared."

I hear you there.  I am convinced that I have liver cancer, I dont need acting.  I have read way to much on the internet.  I have lost 10 pounds since I have found out about this whole thing.  I'm constantly rubbing my liver area feeling for lumps. (Actually I have had the grace lately to settle down on this).  I was convinced that I had HIV last week and that is why I am having such hard liver pains at an early age. (I dont, tests came back neg) I check the whites of my eyes about every 4 hours to see if they are yellow yet.  JEEEESH!!  And I have improved about 70% from what I was a month ago!

Cant wait for my doctor visit tomorrow.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your suggestions. I will have a list with me. Just chatting to you all helps me. I had actually been feeling pretty up until yesterday for some reason.  I was on a natural high last week when I found out my daughter was fine.
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Avatar universal
I will ask my Doctor tomarrow what he thinks about Ultrasound.  Thanks for the encouragement and wisdom.  it means a ton to me.
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132578 tn?1189755837
Hi ohgreat , the mass , is it directly below where your right and left rib cages meet at the bottom of your sternum?
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Avatar universal
yes. It drops off about 3 inches below that sternum.  If I suck in my gut i can feel it curve into my body.  it's my liver. and its hard. On somedays its worse than others.  For about a week after I quit binge drinking (4 months ago) it felt like it was leaking liquid!

I feel it where this image shows.
http://www.medicinenet.com/images/Liver.jpg

(oh gosh, i hope I dont get everyone on the forum rubbing their livers now)
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Avatar universal
You really keep me going with your optimism AND your realistic approach (seems like it should be one or the another but you do a great job of combining them both!).  You and others have done so much to reduce my worries and concerns about tx.  I feel empowered with the info but will also keep an open mind about the unexpected and deal with sides as they occur.  I really hope the rest of your tx goes smoothly and with any events.
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Avatar universal
NY Girl, Thanks for your words of wisdom.  You are right. If I hadn't of gotten I physical or if I had gotten it one week later, I would know nothing about it since I don't have symptoms and feel great. As I've said before, since my diagnosis, I am more thankful for all the blessings that I have. Alot of them I took for granted before.  I believe you too when you say in a couple of months "it will be the last thing on my mind because you were right about my daughter. She is fine and you told me so.

OhGreat, I'm sorry about saying it could be muscle.  I didn't realize other people have been saying that.  Please let us know what you find out at the doctor tomorrow.  It very well could be scar tissue. My friend's brother had spots on his lung...they thought it could be cancer...turned out to be scar tissue.
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Avatar universal
RoGirl,
NYGirl keeps me going to with her positive attitude.  I appreciate all the people in here.
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Avatar universal
I'm so glad I could help you guys to feel better - that is what the other oldertimers did for me when I came in here and what you will do for people who come after.

You will be laughing inside going oh boy I remember worrying a biopsy was going to hurt (when in fact NOPE not at all and everyone will tell you but you won't believe them for REAL until you go through it) and things like that.

We ALL melted down when this first all went on.  My first few months I was devastated by the anemia and thought I would die...(I dropped extremely, extremely bad) but I listened to the people in here like Jim who told me get on the Procrit RIGHT NOW and HANG IN THERE YOU CAN DO IT...and I didn't quit and you know what...He was RIGHT :)

It's human nature for us to worry - but what you will go through we've BEEN THERE and most likely have SOMETHING that might make it easier for you to deal with.

That is the GREAT thing about this forum - the understanding of it all. The caring and concern and the fact that so many people WANT to help you. IN all of my life I can't remember such a big group of people WANTING TO HELP MAKE MY LIFE EASIER!

That almost makes it worth having this disease (hahaha almost...if I could have most of my hair back and get some weight and stuff back too) then I wouldn't mind it at all!

Cause the way I look at it heck I've already BEATEN this thing AND I gainned some great friends!

Too all of us hearing that fantastic beautiful expression...TO SVR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)

(I can't wait to hear it someday woo hoo!)

PS Doglover - told ya so!  ;)  Told ya so nananana! :)
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Avatar universal
To Rogirl too - I didn't mean to leave you off and just realize I did I am at work trying to type 200 words per minute and it just doesn't work with the brain fog to the fingers (but then it really never did that much before anyway...all the peroxide making my hair blonde I think caused the damage in there not the Interferon!)   :)

I mean to write the thank you to you and didn't mean to so I figured I'd write again.  People know I am pretty stupid 'round here and often have to write PS in the To line.
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Avatar universal
with your great attitude, you will hear SVR.  I am looking forward to hearing you tell me, too.

I feel all better now.  Thanks everyone!  I'm going to take my daughter shopping, and then hit the moutain bike trails.  

Talk to you all later.
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