I have two spinal lesions (at the last count) and they freak me out a lot too...especially when my back or neck hurt. (especially the neck...one of the lesions is at C4)

I'm totally creeped out about the spinal lesions...as far as I know, I dont have any brain lesions yet...at least not any obvious ones. (told me I had little white dots, but that they're not "typical" of MS)

Thanks for that....It's scary stuff! :(

Yep, smallpox is the only one so far.

And the thing is the virus' are mutating all the time so we're finding new diseases.

And with air travel this stuff spreads more easily than it was previously able to.

PBS had a program about the WHO sending out ppl to 3rd world villages and trying to get them innoculated for polio and the trouble they had at first b/c the ppl didn't want their children taking the vaccine. Which I don't blame them. Who wants strangers coming to your town and giving your children a drug you have no idea what it is.

Very interesting topic.

The thing about cigarettes is that they can cause so many preventable conditions. I think the focus is that this would be a very easy way to decrease many of these cancers, respiratory, circulatory problems, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I loved smoking more than eating and if I thought I would be one of the lucky ones that could smoke for 60 years and be fine I'd be puffing right now but the odds aren't in favor of that so I quit, hopefully for the last time.

Its interesting to me that it is "socially acceptable" in our politically correct climate to be nasty to smokers but something also preventable like obesity is fluffed over. It should be getting more attention and it looks like there is a shift but not enough, imo. Being overweight causes so many health issues that are largely preventable. I just don't get it but then again food was never my thing.

In the USA malaria, polio and smallpox seem to be knocked out, BUT once in awhile they rear their ugly heads and in 3rd world countries with poor immunization and clean waters/sewage programs,are not so eraticated. Think you can find a disease somewhere if you really look. Let's all give a hurray that US is pretty good!!!

Boy, your'e making us THINK, aren't ya Moose??

I get what your'e saying. I wonder if it's all really just "in the Cards" for us. I know two people who had the exact same CA DX. One is alive today; the other lived a matter of months.

My Mom smoked for 30 some yrs, gave it up and passed away 12 yrs later from lung CA and multiple myeloma. I don't know. We may never know the what if's or why's that we all seek. I've never been a smoker, so can't claim to know the effects of that other than my Mom's health issues.

I think there must be a plan for all of us.

Gee, I'm thinking way too hard this morn. Thanks Moose!!! :hug:

Like I said, I do see your point. My DH always says there's alot of people in their 80-90's out there still drinking and smoked non filter cigs all their life, plus grew up eating LARD in everything.. Mind boggling.

I watched a segment awhile ago (can't remember exactly when it was) on a news show with a woman who was either 100 years old or very close to it.

Anyway, she still lived and functioned all on her own. They asked her her secret to long life and she said cigs and bourbon. I love this lady!!!:D

See what I come up with when you make me think too hard first thing in the morning Moose? Kinda scarey isn't it?:wink:

Leprosy?!!
 

http://www.kfsm.com/Global/story.asp?S=7841296

Just saw this article and thoughts about this discussion. Immigrants are bringing all kinds of diseases into our country. Another reason for better border control! :mad:

I agree that we are all predisposed to illness and disease. Some can drink and smoke well into their ninties while others die in their forties for the same reason. Genetics play a vital role in how this comes to be in each of us. Our bodies were made to die, and something has to kill each of us. Sad but true.

I do believe there are things we can do to prolong our lives, but when disease finds its way into our bodies, all we are left with is the fight to survive, some succeed where others don't. Why this is true I don't know....but those who do bring hope to those newly afflicted.

I also did a search about eradication, and found only small pox. I was surprised to see leparcy still raging in the world!! AIDS has to be the biggest threat right now in third world countries and I just don't know how we can kill off a disease that is transmitted sexually. It's human nature to enjoy this gift.

Thanks for such a great thread moose!

Unlike the over-indulgers of today, they probably drank and smoked all their lives, in MODERATION.:p

I smoke in moderation. Even though I go through a pack per day, I only inhale lightly and sometimes, like now, when I have a cold, I don't inhale at all....Just call me Clinton..LOL

So sorry about your Mommy, DM..:hug: