Max McGrath: Battling Cancer Takes the Patience of Job and Ike
Oct. 9, 2013: I'd like to talk about dogs! Not the ones that you place between buns with mustard spread on top or the ones that take you from here to there, although my feet are a story of legends. I mean the kind that is "man's best friend."
Dogs have great patience and trust. In contrast, my own portrait of patience is just shy of Jack the Ripper. Just ask the "Burg." He will verify through years of observances my shortfalls in patience. I am known for bruising the social contract at least once a day.
Patience is an attribute that I so admire in my pooch, Ike. When Ike doesn't understand, he will yawn in frustration and watch what develops. He patiently decides what actions are necessary; fight or flight or just take another nap because his master, "Max," is screaming at a guest on Fox's O'Reilly Factor again.
Ike just rolls his eyes and goes to sleep under the dining/drawing table until the storm blows over. TV to Ike is the street window; anything else to him is pure visual frivolity.
So yesterday I bruised the contract again, reminding me to admire Ike's patience further.
It is important in any cancer treatment process that the afflicted have crowning faith, patience, and trust in their doctors! Information is essential to understanding in human terms the whys, options, and expected percentage results of treatment.
Fate momentarily brushed bad luck aside, assigning me to an oncologist who is an extraordinary doctor. He and his nurse practitioner are serious professionals who have my ultimate respect and faith. It doesn't hurt that his practitioner resembles Natalie Wood. Back in the day, I would have given her my beloved car . . . enough said!
In a meeting with the oncologist, a concept was hatched to consult with another doctor to investigate limited use of an expensive supercharged treatment to promote faster results to the affected area, incorporating a chemo partnership.
Off I went yet again to see another white coat. All the white coats are starting to look alike.
I met with the doctor with whom I had had a previous underwhelming history and decided that I was not sure of the supercharged procedure. It sounded good, though. I learned from him the procedure doesn't mix well with certain chemos, specifically the one keeping me dancing at parties. You didn't know I'm a rug cutter, did you?
I met again with the oncologist, and it was decided to change the chemo cocktail and put aside the supercharger, then evaluate how I do--a reasonable direction.
The phone rings and it's Han Solo, MD, selling me on the procedure. He would not allow me to explain that the plan had changed for the short term. I had to yell into the phone to stop his over-talking and selling.
I have noticed a few of these doctors have an escalated view of themselves and get dismissive with people, particularly if the patient has difficulty understanding the medical procedure discussed. I'm the wrong hombre to pull that on.
When I ended the call, I felt bad about not following Ike's civil examples.
It crossed my mind, however, "It's not about curing me, it's about the Star Wars expensive treatment" . . . not a good way to feel.
Today I visited Frankenstein for the toxic "drip" that powers my home at night. The recliner chairs filled with 50 fighting souls, most with brave faces to the wind, defying "the silent bastid." I talked with a former Marine 0311 who fought through Peleliu. At 87, he's back at war with bent and gnarled fingers, but he's still punching at "Satan's Bastid."
These are real fighters--focused, determined, battle-hardened eyes fixed on the Piper's face and screaming back, "HELL, NO . . . not without a fight." These folks are tough. They are young and elderly and their resolve is to never go down! My admiration has been given fully.
I'm asking another favor. Please send short notes of encouragement and prayers that you're backing their fight, and I'll post them on the chemo room bulletin broad. What a lift it would give these warriors!
Thanks for sending prayers and good wishes to Kelli and Read. Please send a short note to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll try to be more like Ike--do we have a deal? . . .
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
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