My wife's cousin's cousin died last weekend of cancer. He was only 12. He's not really related to her, but her cousin is also her god-son and they have always been really close. Well this little boy was her god-son's best friend, so that's why it seems so close to her. About a year ago they found a lump or something under his arm, and they tried to remove it. Well, I guess everytime he went back for a checkup the stuff had returned and spread. He had been really sick the last couple of months, and was in constant pain, so at least the pain is over.

Apparently he knew he was dying, so he asked to be buried with a hat, a flashlight and his cell phone. He wanted the hat in case he got cold. He wanted the cell phone in case he woke up, he'll be able to call for help.

This crap shouldn't happen to 12 year olds.

No, but it does and hopefully anyone who comes in contact with brave kids like this comes out the better person for it.

Well said. This is tough stuff. I was involved in a huge student-run philanthropy in college to help kids with cancer and their families. Easily the most profound/spiritual experience I've had in a secular environment.

Wow. Sorry to hear it. Poor kid.

it sucks. i'm doing database work for a bone marrow transplant unit here in boston and as i load the database i'm basically following the course of every bmt patient in 2006 and some of 2005. it sucks, so many young folks struck down so early.

my aunt, granted she's not 12, is in the middle of chemo at 60 years old. she finally had some peace in her life and <bang!> lymphoma. sucks--she's doing pretty well though.

I used to wonder my family was so emotionally detached from everything, then I followed my dad on his rounds one day. I don't envy people in the medical profession.

my mom used to work in a nursing home for 20+ years. no envy there. a lot of heavy lifting and embarrassing (for the patient) cleaning. tough, emotional job. she even had to take care of her mom (my grandma) for a few months after grandma's stroke. very tough living makes mine feel like a millionaire country club.

and in other news, my aunt's husband shot himself dead yesterday because he couldn't live with his cancer anymore. at least he was a ble to live first. (he was around 70.)

Yikes, that's gruesome.

I'm of the frame of mind that we are put on this earth for specific purposes, and while I'll play no prognosticater as to why that child was indeed here, I will say that the last bit is very touching and tugs at your heartstrings. With stories like these, why do we debase the fact that maybe, just maybe stem cell research is a good thing? I would think we would be grasping at any shred of probability and trying our damnedest to feed it through. Prayers to your wife, your godson and to the family of that child.

I'm so sorry to hear about that. That's tough stuff to deal with.

I worked on a documentary film about kids dealing with cancer (the loss of someone close to them to cancer). It is an amazing film. I think it could really help some kids (and older people too). It's called "Kids Care". It's made by a woman named Laura Sky. PM me if you're interested in it (it's not available through normal film distro).

As someone who dealt with cancer early in life, I'd stay it's pretty accurate and sensitively made.

Take care.

Gosh...poor lil' guy. I am so sorry to hear.

I'm sorry to hear about this. This sort of thing breaks one's heart.

jeez.
i met someone at a party sat night who is in med school and working towards pediatric oncology. brave choice.

I bet it's a tear jerker from hell, no?
I think we need a Will Ferrell movie instead.
Did the movie come out in Finnish?

Oh god, yes. That's part of why they tour it instead of releasing it normally: so they can facilitate discussions on it. Otherwise it might be too much for people.

No, English only.

Yeah Will Ferrell would do well.

Nowhere near as tragic as the 12yr old dying of cancer, but my mom phoned me last night to say my cousin Ronnie lost his battle with Cancer yesterday afternoon. He was a longtime smoker who I believe had lung cancer that spread to his Kidneys and possibly other organs.

i couldn't get this out of my head all night.

Yea, I never met the kid, but when I heard this I started crying. Now I just tear up when I think about it. I think that it could happen to my 3 year old, and I imagine him being that brave.

2.5 year olds with inoperable tumors are pretty much the official sign that either: a) God doesn't exist, or b) he loves to fuck with our heads.

Either way, Im not exactly filled with confidence