According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
"Randy Pausch is a 46-year-old computer science professor who has incurable pancreatic cancer. It's not that he's in denial about the fact that he only has months to live, he told the 400 listeners packed into McConomy Auditorium on the campus, and the hundreds more listening to a live Web cast."
WSJ video
After months of experimental chemotherapy at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Pausch had one of the most aggressive recurrences his doctors have ever seen and reportedly has only a few months to live.
"With his oldest son, 5-year-old Dylan, Dr. Pausch went on a recent trip to Disney World and to swim with dolphins, thinking Dylan may be the only child who will have strong direct memories of him."
"If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you," he said during his lecture.
References:
Randy Pausch's Cancer Update page. CMU.edu.
CMU professor gives his last lesson on life. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
A Professor’s Farewell Sparks a Media Frenzy. NYTimes, 11/2007.
Link via Kevin, M.D.
Related:
Keeping Priorities Straight, Even at the End. NYTimes, 04/2008.
A Final Farewell. WSJ, 05/2008.
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture Video Available with Transcript & Slides. Digital Inspiration, 08/2008.
Updated: 08/14/2008
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer a year ago, but in the body of the pancreas. Fortunately they managed to operate and removed my spleen at the same time. After the op I had an number of abcess's, survived all this and am now on chemo, which does not seem to be helping that much.
Even though I am a pharmacist I decided before the op not to know percentages as they are meaningless- I decided that I was going to get through it, and with the support of friends and family I did. I told them before that the hardest part would be for them- I just had gto lie back and "enjoy" it- they had to look at me!
I Look great, do as much as I can, walk, get out and about, and have decided to (excuse my language) "sod the cancer".
If I can add here that looking at the stars makes me aware of how insignificant I am, and looking around at the beauty of life.
Even though I am a pharmacist I decided before the op not to know percentages as they are meaningless- I decided that I was going to get through it, and with the support of friends and family I did. I told them before that the hardest part would be for them- I just had gto lie back and "enjoy" it- they had to look at me!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in June 2008. She and my family are really having a hard time dealing with this horrific disease. If anyone who is reading this has had or still has Pancreatic Cancer or knows someone who had Pancreatic cancer and wouldn’t mind communicating with me via phone or email, Please, Please do so. Email kaylan.berry@gmail.com Remember only contact me if you have the word fight on the brain because that’s exactly what we have to keep on stressing to my grandmother you have to get mad at this cancer and fight it, FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE.