Flarelatedad 0 #1 November 19, 2004 I'm having hemorrhoid surgery next week... Who cares you might ask? No one. It's no ones business but mine, yet when Condi Rice has to have female surgery it makes national news (see CNN article below). We the public need to say enough is enough to the media. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- National security adviser Condoleezza Rice, who was nominated by President Bush Tuesday to be the next secretary of state, will have a minor surgical procedure Friday at a Washington hospital, NSC spokesman Sean McCormack said. Rice will undergo embolization of uterine fibroids, which will not require anesthesia, he said. She is expected to go home on Saturday and return to work on Monday, he said. Uterine fibroids are among the most common tumors in women, CNN's Sanjay Gupta said. They are not cancerous and typically are not dangerous. About three-quarters of women have the tumors and don't know it, he said adding that larger fibroids can cause symptoms including pelvic pressure or pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstruation, incontinence, leg and back pain and in some cases infertility. Gupta said embolization is the most common treatment for fibroids. It involves injecting a small particle into the artery that feeds the tumor to block its blood supply, which eventually kills the tumor. Rice, 50, will not travel to Chile with President Bush for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this weekend, NSC spokesman Jim Wilkinson said. Instead, Rice's top deputy, Stephen Hadley, will make the trip. Bush has named Hadley to fill her post when she moves to the State Department. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #2 November 19, 2004 This is a very common thing and "usually" isn't ever serious at all. I agree with you on the minor issues. The media picks up on everything including a trip to the dentist. However, as conditions become more serious, it is all of our concern given the high level positions that they hold. I do agree, though The media is out of control. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 November 19, 2004 Actually disclosure of medical conditions is becoming a hotly debated topic in business circles. I can't remember the exec off the top of my head but one top exec was recently out on extended medical leave. Investors demanded to know why since they were unsure of the status of the company in his absence. When the company stalled and refused to say exactly why, investors got nervous and started to jump ship on the rumor that he was gravely ill and was near death. The company stock took a huge hit. The exec came back about about 3 or 4 months and after his stock took like a 30% loss. It was nothing life threatening if I remember right. I think he had like a kidney transpant or soemthing. But failure to disclose the information cost his company tens or hundreds of millions in stock.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raggdoll 0 #4 November 19, 2004 Adding to what PhreeZone said, and in a more humanitarian sense, those in power sharing information concerning medical conditions with the public is a good way of spreading information about such conditions. I’d never even heard of uterine fibroids until a few years ago when a friend told me she had hers removed. Think of Betty Ford and the attention she gave to alcoholism and breast cancer; these are conditions that “normal” people also have but, until someone well-known admitted to suffering, “normal” people may have thought these conditions were abnormal or that they were suffering alone, that no help was available. Because of Condi Rice’s exposure, women who are suffering needlessly with “pelvic pressure or pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstruation, incontinence, leg and back pain and in some cases infertility” might have their doctors check them for these fibroids. If that’s the case, then such exposure is doing the public well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #5 November 19, 2004 My aunt is CEO of Remax, and a few years ago (while she was not CEO, but still high up in the company), she had breast cancer, mastectomy, the works. It actually worked in her favor for increasing breast cancer awareness, Remax sponsors a huge research fund for it, good for Remax image, good for breast cancer research. She has even been on the Today Show in recognition for all she has done. It's really a double edged sword. I don't think that it needs to be smeared all over the news, it isn't the business of the general public, but at least in-company knowledge can be a good thing. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #6 November 19, 2004 It seems like it's becoming more and more accepted, even encouraged, to discuss or make public personal medical issues. And, for the most part, people are taking away an increased level of awareness while stigmas are being eliminated (or at least minimized.) Look at Dole with his Viagra ads, and Katie Couric's work to publicize colon cancer and its prevention. Then there's Michael J. Fox's crusade against Parkinson's, all the work Christopher Reeve did, not to mention all the endorsements for breast cancer research. Not that Condi is some big spokeswoman now, just that it's really no big deal anymore to talk about medical issues. Plus, pretty much any time a cabinet member goes to the doc for anything, it becomes public knowledge, and has for a while. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
