Foo - Funny how we all think we'll beat the odds.

I guess it's human nature, but it's still interesting.

No matter how we might think the odds are stacked against us, we can always rationalize some way that the statistics don't apply in our particular situation. Maybe we convince ourselves that the conditions are somehow different from all those other people, that bad things won't happen to me because they didn't have X or think of Y or commit themselves to Z. Or maybe we're just foolish enough to think that we're really better than that, that there's something oh-so-special about us that raises us above all those other people. We're to good to be "a statistic," we tell ourselves.

And then after we're done shoveling all that BS on ourselves, reality comes in and reminds you that what you thought was so strong, so indestructible, and so unique just ends up all broken and beaten down, just like every other "statistic."

A wise old surgeon I trained under once said that "the problem with applying population-based statistics to an individual is this: The risk of a complication is zero percent if it doesn't happen to you, and 100 percent if it does." Little did I know that this applies to more than surgery.

So I guess I'll be joining the club. I never thought I'd become a "statistic--" Oh no, we were better than that. We had it figured out. What a crock.

Not sure if you are trying to tell us something Doc, but I am praying that all is well with you.

So I guess I'll be joining the club. I never thought I'd become a "statistic--" Oh no, we were better than that. We had it figured out. What a crock.

What's up DrPete? I hope everything is okay.

Things are neither well nor okay, unfortunately.

Ok, what happened this time?

This sounds ominous. I almost don't want to know.

Nobody beats the odds...eventually they always win.

And to the good Dr...I feel your pain. Going through similar sh$t myself.

Whatever it is, I hope everything turns out well my friend. I have no idea how I can be of service but if I can help please let me know.

We're here for you Doc - if you don't have the resources at hand to guide you through maybe we can help shoulder some for you.

((hugs))

You are beating the odds now. By working on it. Takes time, Pete. ;)

Goooooooooooo with the floooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww................

Being vague is something something...

Sell all the stuff you want to keep to a good friend for a $1. Make sure he'll sell it back to you for the same amount. Start gambling and lose heavily. And by gambling, I mean take your money out of the bank and stash it at your parents house.

Hey Doc, we wouldn't have asked if we didn't want to know. Are you OK?


As for the first part of your statement, I'm going to flat out disagree with you. I watched someones hope take her through terminal breast cancer. Not only was she told she would die, it happened a week before her husband died of lung cancer. They gave her four months. She said, sorry not happening. The Dr's over at sloan ketering told her she needed to make arrangements for her son. She told them she wasn't dieing. AND SHE DIDN"T. The DR's were so stunned that the cancer went into remission, that two years later when it came back and she was out of money, they treated her for free. She did eventually get to see her son grow up to 14 atleast, but if she gave in when the doctors said she should, she wouldn't have seen him make it past nine.

maybe one day, a long time from now, when you and I are upstairs, I'll look you up and introduce you to my mother.....

Odds and Stats only matter to some. I hope all will be peaceful for you.

Life is the challenge for all of us. We are dealt the game of life every day, enduring a win, loose or draw. Life really does not belong in our hands but we try so hard to control it anyway.

Whatever this is, good luck, doc. You always have something to say here and are such a valued part of this little community of ours. All the best in trying times.

Hey, only one Leukemia patient at a time Pete and I got dibs... So it best not be that.

Sending some positive wishes your way, DrPete -

Hey Doc, we wouldn't have asked if we didn't want to know. Are you OK?


As for the first part of your statement, I'm going to flat out disagree with you. I watched someones hope take her through terminal breast cancer. Not only was she told she would die, it happened a week before her husband died of lung cancer. They gave her four months. She said, sorry not happening. The Dr's over at sloan ketering told her she needed to make arrangements for her son. She told them she wasn't dieing. AND SHE DIDN"T. The DR's were so stunned that the cancer went into remission, that two years later when it came back and she was out of money, they treated her for free. She did eventually get to see her son grow up to 14 atleast, but if she gave in when the doctors said she should, she wouldn't have seen him make it past nine.

maybe one day, a long time from now, when you and I are upstairs, I'll look you up and introduce you to my mother.....

oh, geez lodi....that is such a touching story!

MV, Dr.Pete..You win some, you lose some and such is life. Despite how biased the odds seem against you, right now, fact is that you beat some pretty long odds to be who you are right now. Keep your head high and stride though.

Trying as I might to keep a positive sight on this drama. DrPete has not confirmed any doom or gloom.

You guys may yet to here the whole story. For all you know he may just be getting audited. :rolleyes:

Trying as I might to keep a positive sight on this drama. DrPete has not confirmed any doom or gloom.

You guys may yet to here the whole story. For all you know he may just be getting audited. :rolleyes:

He posted other information in another thread on another day. If you read that post, you know whats going on. I'll let him explain more if he so choses.

For those who don't know, I apologize for the vagueness. I'm having some major marital problems right now, and after a long string of personal sacrifices, frustration, hurt, and suppressed anger driven by hope that things could work out, I sorta learned the hard way that the only one who really wants to work/try/put in the effort anymore is me.

I'm sorry to hear that DrPete. :(

Dibs on the Zipps.

No matter how we might think the odds are stacked against us, we can always rationalize some way that the statistics don't apply in our particular situation.

There are a lot of psychology papers on this...if you really want i could send 'em your way. Probably a waste of your time though, as your line of thinking follows the science...

Dibs on the Zipps.

On Pete. Uh. I mean Dora. :o

For those who don't know, I apologize for the vagueness. I'm having some major marital problems right now, and after a long string of personal sacrifices, frustration, hurt, and suppressed anger driven by hope that things could work out, I sorta learned the hard way that the only one who really wants to work/try/put in the effort anymore is me.

I know the feeling. People minimize my situation because where were no vows...but i can relate :(

Dibs on the Zipps.

Good--I might be selling them soon if I need to buy furniture.

Good--I might be selling them soon if I need to buy furniture.

I hope you like free/cheap furniture.


(I really hope it doesn't come to that, Peter. Take care of #1)

On Pete. Uh. I mean Dora. :o

I actually managed a smile just now.

You rock, Siu. :)

Of course, you do bring up the point that I would almost certainly lose both pups in the deal--it's not like I can singlehandedly take care of one dog, much less two, with the hours I work.

DrPete,

My ex left us in the middle of the night after 13 year of marriage. By us I mean me, my son 6 and my daughter 4, at the time. For me it was tough, NO devastating. I pulled through, regrouped and moved on. She has not spoken to the kids since. That was 13 years ago.

All will get better. I raised my kid’s just find. :) My son is now a US Marine and my daughter is looking at attending Villanova or Penn State. ;)

For those who don't know, I apologize for the vagueness. I'm having some major marital problems right now, and after a long string of personal sacrifices, frustration, hurt, and suppressed anger driven by hope that things could work out, I sorta learned the hard way that the only one who really wants to work/try/put in the effort anymore is me.


Wow. Hang in there bud.

DrPete,

My ex left us in the middle of the night after 13 year of marriage. By us I mean me, my son 6 and my daughter 4, at the time. For me it was tough, NO devastating. I pulled through, regrouped and moved on. She has not spoken to the kids since. That was 13 years ago.

All will get better. I raised my kid’s just find. :) My son is now a US Marine and my daughter is looking at attending Villanova or Penn State. ;)

Great job, Tasr!

See Pete? There's hope! :)

Unfortunately the odds aren’t that long these days. Hang in there Doc, things will brighten again. I’ve been going through the same thing this past year.

Best wishes Doc. Keep your chin up!

Great job, Tasr!

See Pete? There's hope! :)Well.....Thanks Siu!

I don't know if my words will provide hope to DrPete, but hearing my plight might help. It can be done with backbone, encouragement and hope of a new start. The Dr should have some backbone and discipline to get where he is in his career. For me it was the military and being the only child. I did a lot of fighting for myself and not just physical.

Good luck to you DrPete, we are here. :)

Dude, you can always rock with me. Crazy **** happens. Crazy. F'in. ****. It'll be fun.

Well.....Thanks Siu!

I don't know if my words will provide hope to DrPete, but hearing my plight might help. It can be done with backbone, encouragement and hope of a new start. The Dr should have some backbone and discipline to get where he is in his career. For me it was the military and being the only child. I did a lot of fighting for myself and not just physical.

Good luck to you DrPete, we are here. :)

^^^^ Listen to the man, Pete ^^^^ ;)

well, i'm glad it's not your health pete. Not that this is a good alternative, but know where thinkin about ya and I hope all goes as well as it can for you right now....

now I feel stupid posting my little story, I really thought he was gonna tell us he was sick ( thank god he isn't) keep your head up pete:)

I've been through that too, Pete. It sucks.

For those who don't know, I apologize for the vagueness. I'm having some major marital problems right now, and after a long string of personal sacrifices, frustration, hurt, and suppressed anger driven by hope that things could work out, I sorta learned the hard way that the only one who really wants to work/try/put in the effort anymore is me.

Kinda thought that's what it was. Hang in there, Doc.

Dr. Pete - It will hurt like heck, but if things can't be fixed, a new start will be better. Hang in there, and remember to take care of #1 (like someone else said). You've almost made it through so stick with it. Someone once said that success is the ultimate revenge. Hopefully it won't come to that, but if it does, there's some motivation.

now I feel stupid posting my little story, I really thought he was gonna tell us he was sick ( thank god he isn't) keep your head up pete:)You should not feel stupid for that post. It is inspiring to us ALL. It's great to see that love spread through life. Your mom is proud of you. :)

I'm sending some positive vibes your way. I hope all works out for you somehow. Sometimes in these hard times, there is a lesson to be learned. I hope and pray that it will not be too painful or too long. Keep your head up high. This too shall pass.

I think it's normal that people don't think things will happen to them. Otherwise, i think most of us would be too afraid to get out of bed. Bad things do happen. As a surgeon, you know that better than we do, but ignorance is bliss. (trust me on this one- i dated a girl with that last name for 5 yrs.)

Even though I feel as though I walked into a private area of a party (first time through Foo), my thoughts are with you. lodi781, wonderful story, please don't feel sorry for posting it. At the time it was exactly what some of us needed to read. I just went through someone looking me in the eye to tell me "get your affairs in order" - I didn't understand the nurse, thinking affairs... you mean the homework for class tomorrow or the yard I need to clean?? No, she meant FINAL affairs.

The power of those words can be staggering - as can the belief that I'm not done yet. As it turns out, I've fought the fight and won. There will be no "most people live productive lives" statement as it is gone forever and I've beaten the statistics... I'm a 1%'er that can somehow defy science. My doctor calls it the "power of the pedal". I'm OK with that. This has all transpired since August of this year.

Divorce... I'm not proud to say I have that t-shirt. But, I can tell you the sentiment of breaking a marriage is easier to swallow than getting affairs in order. Though it's all relative. I wouldn't wish either on anyone. Best of luck with you and yours.

Hey DP - I know what you're sayin' and where you're coming from. I'm in the same boat, so to speak...PM me if you wanna get things off your chest or call me between 7-4:30 if you want a real person to talk to.

Sorry, Doc.

If you need a beer and/or to REALLY kick someone's backside on the bike then I'm up the road. I'm a good listener and rubbish cyclist.

Hang in there Pete. I pray I'll never know the feeling you're feeling right now, but I do know that you can make it through.

P.S. - Craigslist for cheap furnature.