Two Icons pass: Michael Jackson at 50 and Farrah Fawcett at 62
It's hard to believe we've had two major icons die on the same day from two very intrusive health conditions. It sure hits close to home for me at 49. I watched Farrah, as an angel on TV, and danced the moon walk with Michael Jackson while watching his infamous Thriller video. Farrah, 62 years old, fought the fight for patients rights while advocating for her own health. She became her own advocate and taught so many of us how we should advocate for ourselves. And then just hours later, Michael Jackson goes into cardiac arrest and cannot be saved. May we take this moment to realize how precious our health is. And become our own health advocate as a tribute to these two icons who touched all our hearts. When was your last physical? PLEASE take this moment to advocate for your own good health.
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It's a strange day indeed. Two such vibrant people, now gone. Two people who had such impact on the worlds they performed in; who affected millions throughout their lives. Perhaps now they'll do so again, through the circumstances of their deaths. Especially if Farrah Fawcett continues to bring attention to the cause of anal cancer, and if Michael Jackson's autopsy shows that he simply had a heart attack and died. These are the kinds of things that resonate for a long time.
People still shake their heads over journalist Tim Russert's massive heart attack and sudden death a year ago now, and many of those people got checkups after his death. These two deaths may have an even greater effect.
Unfortunately, many people will look at Farrah Fawcett and/or Michael Jackson and find some reason why those two are different from the rest of us -- and that, therefore, the same thing can't happen to us.
In reality, the same exact things can happen to us. And the only weapons we have are information, good nutrition, exercise, good medical care and a sense of urgency when it comes to our own bodies.
If you don't feel well, find out why.
If you suspect something is wrong, trust yourself and go to a doctor.
If you can't afford a doctor, find a low-cost clinic (we can help you do that) and see if they can help.
They were 62 and 50. She had more projects to do. He was beginning a new tour in July. They both left children behind. And we should have had each of them for many more years to come.
What a sad day in Hollywood. They will both go down in history for their innate talent and gift. My husband is devastated-- he grew up listening to Michael Jackson and was a huge, huge fan. And he couldn't believe an "angel" was gone.
My mother is 56 years old and losing her right now would be a nightmare. When I spoke to her she said "we are all headed that way--I'm just not ready to go" and I am not ready to lose her.
It is important that we value our health more than we value our careers, our careers pay our bills, but if we are in poor health then we will NEVER go back to work, as opposed to taking a few days off. My mother in law and I have this discussion all the time. She has had a lump on her breast that I continue to tell her to get checked out. But she tells me "I don't have insurance" and I say "so what? When the hospital bills you, then work out a deal with them. If they don't cooperate, who cares. Pay what you can monthly and let that be that--you're health is more important than what a hospital will bill you for seeing you". That is the HUGE problem in America-- no health insurance. And unfortunately, both of these stars were likely to have it and still when it's your turn to go, you go.
Rosa, that's heartbreaking about your mother-in-law. She's not even willing to get a mammogram? There are places that do mammograms for free, we could easily help her find one. It must be horrible to watch her wait and wait and wait to get something like this checked. How old is your MIL? No chance she's near AARP age?
Rosa, as a Brest Cancer Survivor and one who found the lump (just as your sweet Mother in law has) but waited apx. 5 months before I went to the doctor, and Yes, it was cancer, stage two, and I did have surgery...But the good news is I'm fine, 4 yrs a SURVIVOR....I beg your Mother-in-law to go get it checked and it just may be nothing, but the mental stress that will be gone, Stress is the worst of all, FEAR of the unknown is not good on any level! I agree about paying the medical bills, do what you can to just get her to take ONE STEP at a time, she is not alone, she has YOU and she has others at EmpowHER...Once she finds out the condition then she can handle the costs, but don't cross that bridge until afterwards...MAMOGRAM first, results and then more on to the next steps.
She is VERY lucky to have YOU!
Thanks for sharing,
with Love in Metta,
Princeline
Unreal! This is the only word that came out of my mouth yesterday. I was already aware early in the morning that Farrah was gone and lost her life after a long battle with anal cancer. I could see this coming. Michael Jackson…I was dumbfounded.
I was working late when I received a text message from a friend that indicated that Michael was gone. What? He is such a young man still. I tune into CNN and MSNBC and periodically refresh the page to catch up with the scoop. After several refreshes, there it was, “Michael Jackson Dies”. How does this happen? I never met the man in my life but I felt a sense of loss. I am too young to be an idol of Farrah but there are not too many people that don’t know Michael Jackson.
This morning as I was driving through the bustling traffic of downtown Cleveland, I am listening to the radio in my automobile and singing his tribute songs that were playing on every radio station. There goes a musical icon and dancing genius, at age 50.
If there is one thing that we can learn from his life and death is that no matter what you do or how weird we act, we are still human. Try and love everyone no matter how different they are. Rest in Peace.