One year ago, when President-elect Barack Obama spoke to supporters in Nashua, New Hampshire after losing that state’s first-in-the-nation Democratic primary to Sen. Hillary Clinton, little did I realize that the stirring speech I heard on that cold New Hampshire night would go down in history....
Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with ExpertsSponsored Offer
- Resources
'Yes We Can' is a Powerful Mantra For Women with Breast Cancer
1/18/09 12:54pm
Dear PJ,
Thank you for the new posting, "Yes we can". I found it to we so very heart warming, it brought tears to my eyes. To compare what the country is going throught right now to the fight aganist breast cancer is so very fitting. Just like you are in disbelief when the doctor tell you that you have cancer (now you are in for the fight of your life), so to for many of us with mixed heritage we also are still in disbelief that Presiden-elect Barack Obama is going to be inaugurated as the 44 president of the U.S.A. Again when the doctor tell you that you are free and clear of all cancer, you are again in disbelief. So to the fight for human equity in the country has been a very long and sad fought road. Many have loss their lives in this fight, never to have the privilege that we will have this coming Tuesday to witness history in the making. So just as Mr. Obama said: "Yes We Can", yes we can this is only the beganning of our fight for human equity in many area, but especially in our fight aganist breast cancer.
1stepaheda
1/18/09 7:01pm
I believe President elect Obama's speech about our country and I didn't even vote for him. I have a strong belief in our country and this speech spoke to my heart about our country as did your snippets for breast cancer survivor's. Yes We Can!!!!! I am a breast cancer survivor for 2 years now. It wasn't easy, however, I had hundreds of people praying for me and I am just plain stubborn, nothings gonna keep me down! I had a mastectomy, chemo, herceptin and now about a week ago I started with a mastectomy on the other side and tissue expanders to boot! I am a group exercise instructor. I stopped teaching during my chemo, but 3 mos. later I was teaching my classes again. I am on a little leave right now, but I'll be back!! Thank God!!!!!!
Debbie Baker :) Cancer Warrior
1/18/09 7:28pm
3/15/10 2:59am
Excuse me. Enjoyed browsing through the site. Keep up the good work. Help me! It has to find sites on the: Cheap human extensions remi hair. I found only this - hair extensions for cheap 76137. Cheap hair extensions, meal does on the uk needle as a effective surplus camp, and government workshops are first for this woman. Cheap hair extensions, it is initially fails the contemporary mainframe of confidence. With respect :-(, Ferdinand from Myanmar.
1/20/09 11:03am
PJ -- you have captured the essence of President-elect Obama's speech which has resonated deeply within our collective consciousness and deep within our spirits. We can, must, and will... Thank you for catching the message and posting it for all; it speaks to and for so many of us, no matter our personal challenge(s).
When Wednesday, January 21 rolls around, remember our work is just beginning, but togeher as we join hands, efforts, and our spirits, we can do more and better than we have ever done in this country!
Be well, happy, and peaceful in service,
1/21/09 9:43am
Only in America. Yes We Can. Excellent article and my deepest sympathies and my continued encouragement in their fight for all suffer from Cancer. I've had several family members and many friends who have suffered from this terrible infliction.
But beware, Congress is considering a bill that would limit the types of treatments available to patients, based on "cost effectiveness", much the same way the British do. The British have an agency called NICE (anything but), the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excelence. Mr Daschle, Obama's pick for Health Secretary, is trying to model the U.S.'s approach after NICE. In Great Britain, there is "vocal dissent against NICE constraints, especially among cancer patients who are denied many effective new drugs that, for now, are widely prescribed in the US."
Read the Wall Street Journal opinion article by Scott Gottlieb for further details.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123241385775896265.html
1/21/09 12:23pm
Roger, thanks so much for your input, and for the link to the article. It looks like this could be a VERY controversial area as the new administration gets traction. I look forward to studying the article, and thinking about what it could mean—to all of us. That said, I have to say I'm somewhat in favor of limiting expensive medical care - based on age, mostly. If my oncologist told me tomorrow I couldn't have the most cutting edge, expensive care, I could accept that. I'm 55 years old; I've lived a fairly long life, compared to most of the world. Now, if that same oncologist wanted to limit care for my 23-year-old son, I'd have an issue with that. It all bears thinking about, doesn't it? Thanks again for connecting - PJH
1/21/09 3:22pm
1/21/09 7:35pm
Unless a person is extremely wealthy, he or she is never making a decision that doesn't affect someone else. Treatment for expensive illnesses are paid for by someone else's insurance premium or taxes. For the first 30 years of my participation in the health insurance system as an adult, I paid more in premiums than I took out in benefits. But after ten years as a cancer survivor, I've collected much more in benefits than I paid in over my entire life. Every country has a method for rationing health care. Here we do it by through the insurance companies and through limited health care access for the working poor (folks who make too much for indigent care, but not enough for insurance). Other countries do it by providing basic care for everyone, but limiting elective treatments, newer drugs, etc.
1/22/09 9:05am
I am very sorry that you have been ill and I wish you the best...but are you kidding me??? In his speech Obama said, "The question we ask today is not whether our
government is too big or too small, but whether it works." The bigger government gets, the less it 'works.' And that one can learn from history. He wants to get the US health care system more like the European health care systems...do you know where people from around the world go when they can't get well from their own health care systems? They come to the USA.
Hi inaugural speech was filled with the usual empty rhetoric about bringing 'change.' Change to what? More socialism and less freedom. This has already been tried in many countries in the world. Socialism is NOT good for sick people. Capitalism is. Capitalism and the profit motive is what has brought you the drugs and treatments that have been available to you so far.
Change in itself is not a good thing. And the changes Obama has proposed are really laughable, if it weren't so tragic. His philosophic principles are dangerous and are based in socialism.
I suggest that you read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. That will show you the future before we get there. And it will show you the philosophic principles that lead to freedom and those that don't.
1/22/09 9:18am
Thanks for your input, Dee Dee; very thoughtful, and thought-provoking. I've read Atlas Shrugged. And what Pres. Obama says resonates with me. We're each entitled to our opinion, and we have the freedom of self-expression. This site is a good example of how we use those rights. This isn't a cop-out to your comment, either; I'm just saying we don't agree, and isn't it great that we can disagree agreeably. PJH
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you PJ.... This is an amazing post and resonates 100% with this historic weekend and the strength we must all embrace when facing our different challenges in life.
Thank you...
You're welcome, Lucie. The whole thing - Yes we can, the inauguration, first family of color in the White House - makes me choke up every time it all comes to mind. Which is pretty much constantly right now. Thanks for your comment - PJ