Terminally ill Stanford professor teaches class about dying from cancer
A Stanford University professor's new curriculum explores the multiple aspects and phases of a person dying of cancer, and it comes from a person with first-hand knowledge.
Dr. Bryant Lin has been a professor for almost two decades. He's used to being the teacher, not the subject of his classes. But that all changed in 2024 when he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
"I ended up having stage four, which is the most advanced stage of lung cancer. Which is not considered curable at all," explained Lin. "So, I am going to die from this."
The diagnosis was a dose of cruel irony. Lin co-founded the Center for Asian Health Research and Education. One of the priorities for the foundation is researching non-small cell adenocarcinoma, also known as "never-smoker lung cancer," the same cancer diagnosis that Lin received.
"Lung cancer in people who have never smoked ... disproportionately affects Asians and particularly Asian women," said Lin. "I have become the poster child for this disease."
Within weeks, Lin was in a chemotherapy infusion chair receiving the same treatment as his patients. It was here that he saw an opportunity.
"How can I make lemonade from lemons?" said Lin. "When I was a student, if I heard of a class that was taught by somebody who's both a physician and a patient, it would have so much changed my perspective."
The class is called "From diagnosis to dialogue: A doctor's real-time battle with cancer." Within minutes of being posted, the class and the waitlist were full.
"It was really surprising: our first session, we kind of violated probably some fire codes by having too many students show up," recalled Lin.
"What really stood out to me was like from the first class he very openly, very upfront said that this is a terminal diagnosis and that he might not die in the next month or two months, or he may live for another couple of years, but that he almost certainly will die from this," said Isabella Heferman. one of the lucky students to get a seat. "I was just really in awe in how well he's able to discuss this and just the bravery, but also the emotions he brings in."
The 10-week course covers the entire spectrum of cancer as seen through the eyes of someone who is living it.
"I really wanted to share that personal experience of what it's like to suffer from side effects from chemotherapy, to talk about nutrition with my wife, what do i eat, to spiritual care," explained Lin.
Each week has a new topic and a new guest lecturer, like Lin's oncologist, Dr. Heather Wakelee. She believes Lin's course is providing a unique lesson to the next generation of physicians.
"In medical school, we learn a lot about the pathophysiology, like, you know, the disease itself, all of the details, the molecules ... we also learn about the interactions with people. But sometimes connecting the two can be a little harder to see," explained Wakelee.
Lin's wife, Christine Chan, has also been a guest lecturer for the class, sharing her perspective about living and loving someone with an incurable disease.
"What's happening today is something that you have control and don't read too much actually about the statistics or outcome of what is happening to other people," said Chan.
Lin plans to teach his class for as long as he can, but acknowledges the syllabus, like his cancer journey, may change. But he stands firm in his belief about the importance of his mission: Physicians with a better perspective about what their patients are going through will be better doctors.
"This is going to impact somebody you know, somebody you know closely, maybe yourself," said Lin. "I want them at an early age when they are young and healthy ... they're seemingly invincible, to really get a sense of what people go through as they deal with a very serious illness."
Stanford University recorded every session of the class so that they could live on for future physicians. If you would like to watch them, they can be found on YouTube.
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USA Today
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USA Today
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Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US
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Yahoo
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Yes, biking can be a lot of fun. But is it good exercise?
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As a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, it boosts cardiovascular health by elevating your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure, strengthening cardiac tissue, improving respiratory fitness and reducing your risk of heart disease. "It's also helpful in stabilizing blood glucose levels, lessening insulin resistance and lowering cholesterol by improving blood lipids," says Daryl Parker, emeritus professor of exercise science at Sacramento State University. Such benefits are among the reasons research shows "a strong relationship between commuter cycling and decreased all-cause mortality," says Fredericson. Cycling also builds endurance, releases feel-good hormones and improves flexibility and joint mobility. And the activity burns plenty of calories, with research from Harvard Medical School showing a 155-pound person burning 252 calories in just 30 minutes of moderate intensity cycling and close to 300 calories when doing so vigorously. The exercise also "enhances metabolic function," says Brad Schoenfeld, a professor of exercise science at Lehman College of the City University of New York, which means it's using more energy that other movements, leading to burning more fat stores for energy. This is why studies show that cycling can be helpful in preventing obesity and maintaining a healthy is aerobic exercise? And what are some examples? Along with such cardiovascular and weight management benefits, regularly riding your bike can also help you build muscle. While cycling involves muscle groups throughout most of the body, most growth occurs in the lower body and hip flexor muscles. "The quadriceps muscle group is particularly heavily engaged during pedaling," says Fredericson, "and the hamstrings are also activated." He points out that hip flexors are involved to aid with balance and stabilization and glute muscles are also strengthened. "And it's fair to say that upper body muscles such as the trapezius, latissimus dorsi and anterior deltoid are also engaged," he adds. Cycling accomplishes such growth through the force of resistance that propelling one's weight forward, but it also releases "chemicals known as metabolic stimuli in the muscle that can lead to an increase in muscle size," says Parker. What's more, the activity has the advantage of aiding in muscle growth and maintenance while still being a low-impact exercise – meaning it's unlikely to aggravate your bones and joints. At the same time, you're only likely to keep building muscle to a certain point before most of your time on a bike will be spent maintaining the muscles you already have. Because you're not able to keep adding more and more weight to the exercise, "cycling does not progressively overload your muscles," Schoenfeld says. "For continued increases in muscle size, a person would need to perform resistance training." 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Parker agrees, noting that local bike shops can be helpful with fitting you to the best size of bicycle. "And don't neglect learning how to handle your bicycle effectively," he adds. "The knowledge of how to stop quickly and dismount and how to make quick turns to avoid obstacles, other riders and automobiles are all important skills in staying safe." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is biking good exercise? It's better for you than you might think.
