profiles in courage

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R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
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Gorgeous, Star-Fucking Hillary Clinton Aide Buys Fake Handbag, And Other Stuff 'Vogue' Left Out
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jigglyball
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
I realize that I am possibly violating the whole de mortui thing, but CNN's article featured this gem of a quote from her. "Everybody gets something. Some people are ugly, some people get cancer."

First of all, why would a news outlet with access to all of her public speeches pull that quote, and secondly, does it sit badly with anyone else?
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J.D.Regent
06/24/09

@jigglyball: yeah i definitely winced just because there are so many other quotes that better express what she was obviously trying to say, which was that you gotta roll with the punches.
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jigglyball
06/24/09

@jigglyball: And also, because I am clearly an asshole, she sounds phenomenal, and is most certainly an inspiration.

However, I just can't understand why someone would use that quote in a tribut article; makes no sense to me.
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jigglyball
06/24/09

@J.D.Regent: Yeah, and she may very well have been saying that tongue-in-cheek, because she seems to have been incredibly self-aware, but in the news story, in read matter-of-factly.
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NefariousNewt
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
NASA needs to honor her with a Martian crater -- she was rough, tough, and to do what she did at the bottom of the world took guts. When others might have folded, she just got on with business. I salute you, Dr. Nielsen -- Rest In Peace.
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NellMood
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
Oh, I am really sad about this. She was a truly amazing woman. What an incredible life she had.
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TheFormerJuneBronson
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
OMG, I am so sad. She was really one of my personal heroes.
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Spaceman Bill Leah
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
I am sad to hear this. I am also extra amazed that I did not know she lived in Southwick (the town over from where I grew up) because I would have been standing on her front porch begging her to bestow some awesome on me.
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JinxyMcDeath
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
I was wondering when ya'll were going to post about this...she was quite a tough lady.

Also, this story chills me to the bone because I have a terrible theory that cancer comes back a 2nd time to kill you. I know, I know. I shouldn't say it...but I have plenty of family members who have gone through Round 1, are in remission, and I pray everyday that Round 2 never happens...
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J.D.Regent
06/24/09

@JinxyMcDeath: yeah it can happen like that but every cancer is different. anyway folks in my family have definitely survived several bouts of it, but of course, survival is always provisional...
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jigglyball
06/24/09

@JinxyMcDeath: If it makes you feel any better, cancer treatment, and specifically breast cancer treatment, has changed since the early and mid-90s specifically to counter the high rates of recurrence.

The more you know :)
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J.D.Regent
06/24/09

@jigglyball: it's true, but i am still going for early mastectomy the minute my cells start to mutate.
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HarpMadness
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
Aw, this really makes me sad. What an inspiration she was and will continue to be.
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J.D.Regent
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
This woman is my hero; I only heard about her today but I hope I never forget her. There were other articles about her life today that were quoting her talking about her illness and facing death just being another part of life, about the freedom that comes from facing your deepest fears (like DOING YOUR OWN BIOPSY AND GIVING YOURSELF CHEMO WHILE LIVING ON A FUCKING ICEBERG WITH NO FAMILY OR FRIENDS [or doctors!]). She was talking about how real life was the whole way, about how much you can still give to others even when you yourself are sick or close to death. Her life was so full and so beautiful, full of adventure and sacrifice; I just want to live like her no matter what I "achieve."

For whatever reason I started crying about Dr. Nielson this morning and can't fully stop.
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pantsless economist...access RESTORED
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
That's really sad news. She was one tough woman.
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Kali Mama
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
That's not actually an instrument in front of her, it's one of her massive balls.

Resilient, hardcore. Absolute shame she didn't make it.
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J.D.Regent
06/24/09

@Kali Mama: perfect observation! i don't know if i would say she "didn't make it," I mean only in the sense that none of us make it out alive. She did so fucking much, and she survived for ten years after her self-diagnosis. That's a lot of living.
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DinaRonson : Elizabeth Cady Stanton
06/24/09

In reply to R.I.P. Jerri Nielsen
This makes me incredibly sad. I so associated with her at the time.
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