Since Andy Rooney has retired from the TV show 60 Minutes I thought I'd give people a chance to see what or who could be a replacement for him and fill in the last 5 minutes of the show.So the death certificate for Steve Jobs is in and according to many of the news outlets the cause of death was respiratory arrest.
Excuse me, but what the hell is respiratory arrest? Are they saying that the man just stopped breathing so I he died? Even I know when someone stops breathing he or she dies. In fact I would even bet that Dr. Conrad Murray, and I use the title loosely, would know that if someone stopped breathing they are probably dead and that it was time to hide the evidence...quickly.
And another thing, whats up with that woman Margie Phelps from the Westboro Baptist Church tweeting that she was going to demonstrate and picket Mr. Job's funeral because he taught, "his neighbors to sin." I mean fine if that is what she really believes but did she really have to tweet it from an iPhone?
I think sometimes I really don't understand what's going on.
Respiratory arrest means that his organs began shutting down as cancer killed the vital cells. Most likely his cancer had spread to his new liver, or made his liver or lymph systems (thryoid) unable to function. Perhaps the kidneys. Toxins build up in the blood and the brain ceases to work properly as the blood-brain barrier is breached. Breathing become erratic. By this time the patient is on morphine to blank the pain. Eventually the lungs (or heart...usually lungs) cannot function properly as oxygen ceases to circulate in the bloodstream. Breathing stops as the brain begins a full shutdown to preserve what oxygen remains. This is known as respiratory failure and in the case of an advanced cancer diagnosis, there is not enough viable cells in key organs to continue the basic life functions. You need an intact brain (hypothalamus), lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, skin, endocrine (hormone) system, stomach and bowels, and delivery system to live. If any one of those ceases to function, you will die. The only ones that have been partially substituted are kidneys (dialysis, but it's only a prolongation of life), and endocrine (drugs, but only in mild cases). Loss of bowels through resection can also be performed, but with shortened lifespan.
ReplyDeleteClearly Steve Jobs' cancer had spread to a vital organ or two, and there was no means to cure him. The organ dies, it sets off a chain reaction, and the whole body dies. This is how we all die, save for violence.
Hopefully that answers your question.
I had no idea what exactly respiratory failure meant, but gathered it must had something to do with his breathing coming to a halt.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but chuckle after reading this piece about Andy Rooney retiring and you replacing him. Do go for it and believe me if he was able to capture our attention for the past thirty three years or so by all means you can captivate the audience as well and you're easy to look at and appreciate.
Wow! That first comment was very informative. I guess we never know what learned minds tend to read us.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the rant. I think to be considered for that 60 Minutes gig, one needs to not only rant well & on-point, but manage to look constipated while doing it.
I always felt if Andy had only taken a good s---, he'd be aiight.
One.
WHAT YOU WROTE WAS QUITE ALRIGHT... UMMM, I JUST HATE THE THOUGHT OF ANY KIND OF ARREST...LOL.
ReplyDeleteBUT YES, ANONYMOUS SUMMED IT UP WELL.
HOWYOUDURING ( IN MADEA VOICE)
Anon. - Now see if the news outlets gave information like like you just did instead of just relying headlines and titillation, not only would the public be better informed but society as a whole would be better able to make more considered and sensible decisions. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteChet - Thirty three years you say? That's a hell of a lot of bitching. Now that you bring that up, I think I can only do two or three weeks before feeling suicidal or something so maybe I'll pass on the CBS gig.
One - You know in these days of processed foods and saturated salts and sugars, that constipation thing maybe something that we can all relate to. That sounds like too much competition for the job.
Shar - To answer your question, good. You?