The median isn't the message (from David)

Home is the best healing! I’ve had the opportunity these past couple of days to speak with many of you and I must say these conversations are uplifting and I (as do Nicola) so appreciate the words of “encouragement”. The conversations with you also give Nicola’s ears a deserving break and I know she really appreciates that too! Now that I’m “minus” a couple of brain cells, my master life plan of surrounding myself with people much smarter than I seems to be paying off.

I spoke with one of my extremely smart and talented friends, Kurt Jones. We were finally able to re-connect since the accident. Kurt and I have worked together for the last several years and he has become a true friend and confidant. Kurt is without any doubt, one of my smartest friends and one whom I’ve turned to many times over the years for advice on work matters. A couple of years ago, Kurt ran across an article on statistics and during our conversation this week he reminded me of the article and encouraged me to read the article again. All I can say is, “Thank you Kurt”! Your brilliance and counsel has proven itself again and I would like to post this for all to read. I have included it below.

Many of you might be looking up statistics and data on brain cancer for the first time. It’s scary! Don’t believe everything you read. One key thing to remember when looking at any information dealing with brain cancer: (1) Is the data on primary brain disease (cancer that originates in the brain)? or (2) Is it metastatic disease (a cancer that originates in the body and travels to the brain)? I have metastatic melanoma to the brain.

So here’s the request for today: Read the article below. If you have questions related to “this” article, please post to the blog. This may help others with similar questions. We have a host of knowledgeable people viewing this site whom I’m certain will help with any questions. Now anything you may have read previously, prior to becoming a statistical expert, go back and re-read armed with this new information. It may give you new insight and perspective.

I really don’t want our blog to become a spot for medical information posts but felt this information was too important not to share.

Also, big thanks to Gareth for fixing my fence yesterday! My neighbor’s tree came down during the hurricane and took out part of my new fence. I’ve obviously done something right in my life to have a brother-in-law like Gareth. The only problem is that not only did he fix the fence, stain the replaced wood to match the rest of the fence, and clean the whole project up; he did it all on the same day. Now, Nicola is totally confused because I had her believing you could never paint or stain on the same day of a repair!

Keep praying, have faith, and we'll beat this thing together, David

Here’s the article along with author information (click the link):

The Median Isn't the Message by Stephen Jay Gould