Randy Pausch was an extraordinary man in many ways. A brilliant professor, a terrific husband, devoted father and an inspiration to millions via his filmed 'last lecture' at Carnegie-Mellon university and the best-selling book that followed, along with his frequent TV appearances. Pausch's responsible, realistic view of his impending death and his equally responsible determination not to waste what time he had left on bitterness, anger or sadness is a lesson to us all, no matter what our situation. He tried to defeat his pancreatic cancer with every available treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, but ultimately all his efforts failed. So, instead of desperately clinging to life by chasing 'cures' or allowing himself to give in to depression or anger, Randy Pausch decided to appreciate what he had, while he had it. He smiled and laughed a lot. Not to hide his pain but to enjoy the parts of his life cancer couldn't touch; his love for his wife and children and his zest for life, something that Randy Pausch refused to allow his terminal illness to take from him.
It's become a cliché to say that it isn't what happens to you but how you deal with it that matters - but that cliché happens to be true. Randy Pausch proved it. He faced a terminal illness with honesty and what we like to call 'a good attitude'. He enjoyed his life; his wife, his kids, his profession. He continued to enjoy these things that really matter even after his cancer diagnosis, unpleasant treatments and, in his last few months, the weakening of his body that must have frustrated him. Randy Pausch may have lost his battle with cancer but he won the fight to make his life meaningful to himself, his family and to millions who have been inspired by him.
AN patients may not face imminent death but they often have to fight difficult, life-altering physical problems. Many become frustrated, angry and even depressed. I'm sure that Randy Pausch would be very pleased to know he's given some of us the ability to change our attitude and appreciate what we have, not what we've lost. To enjoy our lives, not resent them because we don't have exactly what we may think we somehow deserve, even if that is just the ability to smile widely or close an eye.
Randy Pausch is gone now. His fight with cancer is over, but yet, I think, in the final analysis, he won.
Jim
