Ask Professor Randy Pausch

Whit all the years, and the millions spend on research do you trust
the drug corporations to stretch the finding for a cure for $$$$ reasons?

Dear Professor Pausch,

I am about to get married but sometimes a great anxiety fills me when I think of the comittment I am about to make. How did you know your wife was the "one?" and what is your best advice for the newly married?

Thank you.

My mom was given her death sentence after years of going to a doctor who never saw the mass in her lungs ( her on call doctor did).

I wanted so much to discuss death with her but she chose instead to just sleep and watch television. She would get upset with me and say, "You just don't understand what it is like to be told you are dying..."I know everyone is different, but what are those questions you ask yourself when you are dying. When your kids want to talk and hear your feelings, do you try to protect them at all costs? Your kids are going to miss you, let them know your feelings, I so appreciate what you are doing for those left behind.

Some days I feel like becoming a history professor and other days I wish I could become a CEO or photographer. Do you have any advice for those of us with multiple "childhood dreams"? How are we supposed to ever decide which one to choose?

In your lecture you described "Brick Walls" as something that keeps people without sufficient desire away from the glories they really don't want.

MY question to is more of a quandry- can brick walls benefit by keeping a person safe? Or is the whole point to live life as close to the edge so to keep a greater view of "it all"?

I just wanted to tell you how remarkable I think you are and God bless you for your courage, I have followed your story and pray for you and your family. Thank you for all you stand for in grace, strength and most of all, your courage, you truely are an inspiration to us all.

At your weakest and saddest moments, what is your greatest source of comfort, what is it that takes the pain down and lets you close your eyes and sleep. I ask this, partly from my own failed attempts in a similair situtation.
Your story and your courage have touched a lot of hearts, and may legacy and your family be eternally blessed.

I watched your speach and I was moved on a variety to levels. One was when did your push-ups to show your fitness despite you cancer. I am a push-up maniac and although I run the risk of sounding dumb and like a Neanderthal, how many push ups can you do?

Dear Professor Pausch,
Your speech was brilliant! You obviously are bright and I would assume open minded. Have you tried any alternative approaches to heal yourself or do you have an internal knowing that your time is up? There are so many alternative ways to heal cancer. I realize that you must be open to them or they will not work. The pharmaceutical companies want us to believe there is only one way. I hope you have tried everything you can. We need inspiring people like you around. Light to you and your loved ones.

I'm looking forward to our book.

Are you worried about heaven and if God hears your prayers? Has he talked back?

p.s. Heard you bought an Apple? Isn't it Great!! Kinda like being aboard the Enterprise.

We all have a "death sentence", it's called life. the sooner we can appreciate how short time really is - the sooner we can aspire to live purposeful lives.

The fact that Professor Randy;s body will not allow him to continue to live is all the proof I need of the fact that we are not guided by some cruel and senseless "god". Only a sick perverted god would torture, crucify or otherwise kill one of us as "inspiration " for the rest.

How awful that so many whiney, dumbasses (certain celebrities come to mind) are lucky enough to be so healthly and yet so useless to anyone, while a fine individual such as this man is sick. Terribly unjust.

I am aethist, but if anyone thinks a prayer circle would help heal him - I'm in!

What do you ask someone who is dying?

Dear Professor Randy Pausch,

How have you shared your incredibly powerful and positive message with your children in a way they can relate to the inevitable - losing their beloved dad?

Best regards,
Klaus Feldam

I have watched several friends and family die from cancer. In my observation there appears to be no madate to find a "cure" for cancer when there is so much money generated in "treating" cancer
I hate to use this analogy and it seems so jaded but it appear to me that the drug companies are relying on the "comeback" for treatment as opposed to a one time visit for a cure.
. Do you think that curing cancer is really economically feasible when the drug companies make so much money from the treatment?

How do you celebrate achieving one of your goals?

Dear Prof. Pausch, I often wonder whether or not these drugs on the market are doing any of us any good, considering all of the "side effects." It is my belief that some of the older "herbal" medicines are still the best. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Hello Professor Pausch
This is a very simple, straightforward but nonetheless important question: what where your happiest (or the happiest) moments during your whole life, both in your personal life as well as in your academic career.
Best Regards.

Dear Professor Pausch,

Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your lecture. It really hit home and made me realize what is truly important. I am the mom to two adorable children, and I promise you, if either one or both want to draw on their walls in their bedroom, I will let them!

God bless you and your beautiful family.

Randy,
I don't have a question for you but just wanted to tell you that I admire your courage and your openness regarding your disease and prognosis and your willingness to use yourself as an example which ends up being a tremendous inspiration. Love and prayers for you and your family.....
Chris

What are your religious beliefs? Has your current circumstance strengthened your faith or pulled you away from this notion?

What would you have done careerwise if you couldn't have done what you did?

Thank you for making yourself available to us (your new legion of admirers and fans!)

What do you hope for your children? How do you think you can help to make those hopes and dreams come true?

You are in my prayers. You have blessed my life and that of my son. Thank you.

How much has the success of “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” surprised you?

Did you expect that it would lead you to be in TIME?

Dearth be not proud...rock on randy

I saw the segment you did on Oprah just days before my grandmother died of cancer (I watched the original lecture later). I can only tell you how touched I was. She lived a full life and wanted only to spend her last days with her famiy. I learned so much more about her battle at her funeral. I was glad that she spent her time with us not discussing the cancer details but living life, as hard as it may have been. Thank you for the inspiration and love that your shared with us.