miller|cathy

a baby boomer's second life

When Statistics Don’t Matter

February 21, 2013 By Cathy Miller 6 Comments

bigstock-Live-life-handwritten-in-sand--19587326We rationalize life events with the odds stacked on our side.

  • Most people do this
  • The majority do that
  • Chances are, I’m right

When I received the dreaded call-back on the heels of my mammogram, I knew the odds.

Statistics were on my side.

  • Only 8% to 10% of call-backs require a biopsy
  • 80% of those biopsies will be benign

Sometimes, statistics don’t matter.

Cosmic Joke

Although I should know better, I couldn’t help viewing this event as God’s little joke.

With 2013 being the 10th anniversary of my Fight Like A Girl team’s participation in the 3-Day Walk for the Cure, was I going to be the next team member diagnosed with breast cancer?

Turns out – statistics were on my side.

Further tests proved negative.

But, I couldn’t help but think how little statistics matter.

  • To those diagnosed with cancer
  • To parents of a sick child
  • To survivors who beat the odds

Statistics are just numbers.

What’s in our heart is what matters most.

Live life to its fullest.

=================

Live…Laugh…Love

BigStock Photo Credit

 

Filed Under: Miller Musings, On Everyday Life

Comments

  1. Lori says

    February 22, 2013 at 7:02 am

    Amen for the negative results, Cathy. You’re right — statistics only matter when they’re affecting you directly.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 22, 2013 at 7:09 am

      Thanks, Lori. Even then, they don’t seem to matter in terms of what we feel. I appreciate you dropping by. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Anne Wayman says

    February 22, 2013 at 9:20 am

    whew! The trouble with stats is they don’t address just me. So hard to stay in the moment with those calls. hugs

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 22, 2013 at 9:25 am

      Whew is right, Anne. 😉 I’ve always said with numbers & stats, there are so many ways you can spin them. Thanks for the words & hugs, Anne. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kaylors says

    February 23, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    Nice read, so many people live their lives by what other people do and what everyone else things. I definitely dont think its the way to go and if anything I go against that common trend after been few a few hard times and having time to think about the decisions I made to get there.

    Just because the last 100 people suffered because of an illness does not mean a cure will not be found tomorrow and that 100% suffer rate could flip to 100% survival overnight.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 23, 2013 at 1:03 pm

      Well said, Kaylors. I like that view on life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply

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