Just to add to Brian�s statistics argument, we are constantly barraged by the �numbers� being thrown at us, usually by the medical and insurance companies. For me it is difficult not to set some of these artificial goals even though I for one should really know better.

My mom was first diagnosed with Thyroid cancer at the age of 16 (1941) had the tumor removed. She made the magical 10 years only to have a recurrence in 1957 right after I was born. Again she had surgery to completely remove her thyroid and radiation (general Xray). Again she went past the magical 10 year mark only to be diagnosed with uterine cancer in 1970, colon cancer in 1981, breast cancer in 1994 and finally pancreatic cancer in 2005. She died in 2006 a full 65 years after her initial diagnosis, the oldest cancer survivor in the state of Louisiana. Talk about genetic predisposition� Sometimes this lovely stuff just will not leave us alone.

So Charm, retire the benchmark if you can, I certainly try.

and *my* favorite Calvin:
"I have a hammer! I can put things together! I can knock things apart! I can alter my environment at will and make an incredible din all the while!"


Kevin