Trying to help when we can

I am frequently reminded of the good fortune Barry and I have had during these past years. While I have never sat down and compiled all the bills between my pulmonary disease and cancer treatment, it is safe to say that that there are a lot of numbers to the left of the decimal. Fortunately, we have had very good health insurance and been able to handle whatever pieces have fallen through the cracks. But the same cannot be said for so many people who struggle with chronic or acute illness, even those who themselves deliver the care those patients so urgently need.

One of Barry’s responsibilities in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine is to teach a course in clinical radiation biology to residents in radiation oncology. He has been teaching such courses for over 30 years, and although most individual residency programs in radiation oncology are relatively small, he is now teaching a total of about 40 students including groups from almost all of the programs in the New York City area who spend three years attending the course in preparation for their board certification examinations.

About two years ago one bright young resident suddenly found herself on the other side of the doctor-patient relationship. She has gone through grueling treatment and has recently been able to resume her medical training. But friends became aware of her financial struggles, and a young woman who works in Barry’s laboratory took on the task of starting a “Go Fund Me” page. Here is the note she posted.

Hi!  My name is Hindy.

Ava and I met earlier this year.  We worked in the same lab, and developed a friendship over scientific conversations and chocolate.

Ava was diagnosed with a Stage IV blood cancer in 2014.  She was finishing up her oncology residency at the time of her diagnosis. She went into work as usual, and within the course of a few hours, she was admitted as a patient in the oncology ward. Ava spent the next year in and out of the hospital. During this time, she received a stem cell transplant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Ava's graduation from her residency program would have been June of this year but she has been unable to complete her training and fulfill her dream of becoming an oncologist.

Medical related expenses have been steep, especially without steady income.  

She's particularly grateful to be celebrating her birthday tomorrow.  Can you help her celebrate what we hope are many healthy years ahead in the form of a small donation to ease the burden of her expenses?

$5 -- or any amount -- will be appreciated.  Your well-wishes, of course, are priceless :)

Thanks!

Here is the link to the page.

https://www.gofundme.com/2k8pmqc

I have so much to write about – we had a fabulous week with Maya and Ella will be coming back to New York with us tomorrow. I have started compiling pictures and will try to write very soon.

Love,

Rebecca

A moment of joy

People who have gone through a serious illness will often say that it turned their life around and changed their view of the world. I do not know if I would go quite that far, but what I do know is that I have more time on my hands than I did before the words “primary central nervous system lymphoma” or “diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia” had much meaning for me. To say I am making good use of that time would, admittedly, be an overstatement. Still, even if I cannot go quite that far, what I can say is that it has allowed me to pay attention to things on which I had previously spent very little time or energy.

An argument could be made that my timing was exquisite. I became less able to venture out and about at a time when we humans can access and feel a part of the world from the comfort of our own home offices. Further, I am seeing increasing numbers of people in public places with various mobility devices; whatever shame with which that may have in past times been associated has long since faded.

At the same time, having all this time on my hands is starting to make me long for the good old days in which I was barely aware of those folks sitting in those big white buildings in Washington D.C. Even in the early 1970s, when many young people were closely engaged in the actions of our government, I was relatively oblivious. While Barry was something of a “Watergate junkie,” (the break in was on his 21^st birthday) I had at best a passing interest.  So it has been with a mixture of surprise and some amusement over these past few weeks when I have found myself wondering how one becomes a delegate at a political convention.

Politicians always say that “the stakes have never been higher.” I do not know if that is precisely correct at this moment in history, but what I do know is that our lives, the lives of our children and grandchildren, and the existence of the planet may well depend on every decision being made over these next few months. I hope the American people will be thinking about this as they prepare to cast their ballots in November.

On a far more joyous note, Simmie and Ronen were married fourteen years ago today. Every wedding has its special moment, and for Simmie and Ronen it happened on the dance floor when Ronen just swooped up his new bride and swung her around. Fortunately one of the photographers managed to catch that moment: Rabbi Avi Weiss is beaming behind Ronen, and Ronen’s grandfather (may he rest in peace) is sitting right in front of Barry. There is no better example than this of a picture being worth one thousand words. Mazal Tov Simmie and Ronen! May you have many more happy and healthy years together with Eliana and Maya.

Love,

Rebecca

Catching up with the movies

We have seen a number of movies over the past 4-6 weeks but somehow I have not taken the time to write about them. A few of you have told me that you enjoy reading these and look to our advice, so I wanted to just take a couple of minutes and share some thoughts.

As I sat down to write this, the first thing I did was check with Rotten Tomatoes, and lo and behold their crew rated the movies in precisely the same order I had (from lowest to highest rating):

Film	Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Captain Fantastic	79%
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You	85%
Life, Animated	93%
Don’t Think Twice	99%

A few thoughts about each:

Captain Fantastic: The story is set in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, isolated from society. Viggo Mortensen plays a father who has dedicated his life to transforming his six young children into extraordinary adults. But when a tragedy strikes the family, they are forced to leave the isolated existence he has created and begin a journey into the outside world that challenges his idea of what it means to be a parent and brings into question everything he has taught them. Frankly, I found it ridiculously unbelievable and mildly annoying. 

Norman Lear: We have long been huge fans of Norman Lear’s work. He is arguably the most influential creator, writer, and producer in the history of television, and had an enormous influence on prime time television. Through comedy and well developed characters, his legendary 1970s shows such as “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” and “The Jeffersons,” encouraged many people to think outside the old boxes. It is only somewhat disconcerting to recognize that we still have not grown past all the old prejudices.

Life, Animated: This movie tells the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was diagnosed with autism and unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence. As you read this you might expect a rather sappy sort of story but it wisely resists going in that direction. 

Don’t Think Twice: When a member of a popular New York City improvisational troupe gets cast on a hit TV show, the rest of the group - all best friends - start to realize that not everyone is going to make it after all. The film was directed by Mike Barbiglia (who also plays one of the group members) and includes comic stars Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Chris Gethard and Tami Sagher and presents a hilarious and honest look at the lives of professional funny people.

Unfortunately, our beloved Mets are having an extremely disappointing 2016 season. We had tickets to a day game yesterday but we gave up after only 6 innings due to oppressive heat (our seats are shaded but it was still brutal) and the fact that it was clear our team was not going to come out from behind the score of 9-0 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. But I must say it was hard not to chuckle that the Diamondbacks have an outfielder named Socrates Brito. Socrates seems such a formal name, particularly for a baseball player. I wonder what his friends called him when he was growing up. Is he pondering the meaning of life while he stands out there waiting for the balls to come?

I have been watching quite a bit of the Olympics this week. I have only a faint memory of this during the summer of 2012, when I was just completing my chemotherapy. So I wanted to go back and see what I had written.

Written Wednesday 01 August 2012

Sleep has been a challenge during these last few months, but at least this week  the late nights can be filled with the wonder that is the Olympic Games. I am writing this paragraph in the wee hours of the night. I was moved to come to the computer after watching the US Womens’ Gymnastic Team win a gold medal. At the risk of sounding a bit melodramatic, it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps the reason the Games are resonating for me right now as they have never done in the past is that I, too, am engaged in a quest to accomplish a physical feat. Like the Olympic athletes, I have had to identify the very best of talent (their coaches, my physicians) and diligently follow their advice even when it is painful. Perhaps the stakes for me are even somewhat higher than for those athletes, because unlike their quests, winning the gold medal in this event is literally a matter of life and death. None of those athletes arrived at that podium without the love and support of their family and friends, and in the interviews many mention this. Similarly, I would have no chance to make it to the winners’ circle without the outpouring of love and support from all of you. And for that I will be forever grateful.

I do not think I could say this any better four years later than I did back then.

If it is hot where you are, stay cool!

Love,

Rebecca

Remembering camp

When I was growing up, summer camp was considered a luxury. Even local camps were barely within our means, and sleep-away camps were not even a discussion. But somehow, just once, when I was fifteen years old, my parents sent me to camp for three weeks. Although I can no longer remember the name of the camp or the names of my friends, I can remember what a great time I had there and can even conjure up images of some of their faces. So although we miss our grandchildren who are off with their Mom for four weeks at Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA,  I am elated that they have this wonderful opportunity.

If not for summer camps, the quaint tradition of sending post cards through the mail would be entirely lost. But fortunately, these days, there is much more the parents and grandparents can do to keep up with their offspring at summer camp. It does require a fair amount of daily effort to scan through the hundreds of pictures that the camps post on their web pages, looking for your own special faces. I have a feeling that our grandchildren go running when they see the photographers milling around. I say this because we also have a niece attending the camp and I have seen far more pictures of her, all with big smiles, which is certainly quite heartwarming.

Somehow, last Friday, when Dina and family (Aaron has been coming up to camp for the weekends) had a moment together before the start of Sabbath, someone snapped a great picture that made it to the camp web site. This one is surely worth many thousands of words!

Love,

Rebecca

A fun and busy week

I really must be getting old. I am having a harder and harder time keeping up with all the things I want to do and/or should be doing. One case in point is this Blog. I really do enjoy writing it, and in many ways I feel it has helped me maintain some degree of sanity (however little I may have had). But following a very busy week, it can take me days before I can summon the energy and discipline to sit down and rise to the task.

We had a wonderfully busy five days with Eliana (now almost 11) last week. Before our time with her began, we had bought tickets for an afternoon Red Sox game with Joshua on Sunday. It was a pretty good game: the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 8 to 7. But I must say that even if I can appreciate the historical charm of Fenway Park, I far more enjoy the new and beautifully laid out New York stadiums. I am also beginning to understand how people become so devoted to “their” team. I guess I had a little of that baseball bug in my all along, but it took one amazing little guy and the joy this has given his grandfather to bring it to the fore.

First thing Monday morning we headed south from Sharon. We stopped for a few hours at Mystic Acquarium, always a fun place to visit. 

Here is a really neat frog we saw:

Brought to mind a great old song:

From Mystic we made our way to Riverdale. Eliana and Barry went off to the grocery store; we find it works best to just take each of the children at the beginning of their stay so they can buy what they like.

We spent much of Tuesday at the American Museum of Natural History. There was so much going on there. We especially enjoyed MacGillivray Freeman Film’s “National Parks Adventure.” Now in its New York premiere, the film is an ultimate off-trail adventure into the awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness of America’s national parks.

National Parks Adventure takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness of America’s national parks. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Robert Redford, the film lets audiences soar over red rock canyons, hurtle down steep mountain peaks, and explore other-worldly realms found in our country’s most legendary spaces. This new film is an action-packed celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service and a reflection on what wilderness means to us all.

Filmed in more than 30 national parks across the country, this immersive cinematic experience follows world-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe, and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb, and explore their way across America’s spectacular wilderness vistas. In Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite, and more, this stirring title reveals a tapestry of natural wonders that will inspire the adventurer in all of us. Captured on IMAX 3D cameras and shown in its full glory in giant screen theatres, National Parks Adventure celebrates the majesty of our national parks and treasured landscapes and highlights the importance of protecting them.

We also enjoyed many other exhibits, including (click on links below)

Dinosaurs Among Us

Dinosaurs Among Us examines how one group of dinosaurs evolved into fascinating living creatures we call birds. 

The Secret World Inside You

Explore the human microbiome and find out how rapidly evolving science is reshaping our ideas about human health. 

Dark Universe

Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, this Space Show celebrates the pivotal discoveries that have led us to greater knowledge of the structure and history of the universe and our place in it—and to new frontiers for exploration.

On our way home from our adventures we stopped at Menchie’s for frozen yogurt, served with copious amounts of toppings.

On Wednesday, Eliana and I went to see Mathilde. We had taken Ella last summer, and I really enjoyed seeing it a second time. As long as it maintains its popularity,  I am sure I will see it again with Maya in the next year or two. Eliana really loved it. She was familiar with the story and soundtrack and she has not stopped singing them since!

On Thursday we headed off to CitiField to see the Mets play the Colorado Rockies. Eliana really enjoyed being able to eat a kosher hot dog, but unfortunately the Mets lost 2 to 1. We are sure her father is pleased to have a fellow Mets fan in the house! We bought Eliana and Mets cap and a t-shirt so she is all decked out and anxiously planning to go to at least TWO games next summer!

All in all, a terrific and fun week.

It is quiet here now, and I am just trying to play catch-up and get some rest.

Love,

Rebecca

Two minutes of pure joy

For all of you who have long since reached your quota of presidential politics, here are two and a half minutes of pure joy from a delightful little person (no bias whatsoever).

Enjoy!

Love,

Rebecca

15 July 2016

Escape to the movies

We managed to squeeze in a few movies over the past few weeks. Actually, I think there were four, but for the life of me I cannot remember what the fourth was, so I will write about the three I remember.

The first bore a long title, “The Music of Strangers:  Yo-yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.” We could not see this without remembering that amusing bit from Emanuel Ax, who proposed a trio with colleagues Yo-Yo Ma and Violinist Anne-Sofie Mutter be named “Axe Yo Mutter.” 

The movie shows scenes from numerous performances by “The Silk Road Ensemble,” a group of musicians first assembled by Mr. Ma in 2000 who have been playing concerts all over the globe. While following the group to various performances, the musicians discuss the role of their music amidst the violent world as well as the challenge of coming together with all their different styles while remaining true to each of their own. The soundtrack is exquisite but the cinematography is also quite breathtaking. If you enjoy music or art or both, you will appreciate this film.

On a completely different note, we saw a movie called “Weiner Dog.” This is not to be confused with the movie we had seen some weeks back about a New York politician. This movie really is about a dog, or perhaps I should say more about the dog’s various owners.

When the movie begins, the dog belongs to a family whose young son is seriously ill. The parents have a troubled relationship, and their inability to care for the dog properly literally makes a mess of their ownership. The dog next goes to live with a young man and woman (Kieran Culkin and Greta Gerwig) who had at one time been a couple and accidentally run into each other just after the young woman has rescued the dog from being euthanized. They eventually end of giving the dog to the fellow’s brother and his wife, a couple with Down Syndrome. From there he lives with a screenwriter (Danny DeVito) who has his own pathology. Weiner Dog’s final home is with an older, unhappy woman (Ellen Burstyn) whose granddaughter visits only when she needs money.

Writer and director writer Todd Solondz has apparently made a number of similar films, but this is the first one I can remember seeing. I would not recommend it all that highly. It was a starkly bleak view of the world. Only the sick young boy, the couple with Down Syndrome, and the dog seemed to be reasonable beings; everyone else was selfish at best or downright mean-spirited at worst.

Earlier today we went to see one of the first showings of Woody Allen’s new release, “Café Society.”  This one has not gotten fabulous reviews thus far, and I know that many people cannot see his films without thinking about some of his unpleasant attributes. But for better or worse, we still enjoy his work. This one reminded me of a James Taylor quip during one of his concerts, “here’s a new song, sounds pretty much like all the old songs.” Woody could say “here’s a new film, pretty much like a lot of the old films.” And that’s just it – he is doing here what so many have enjoyed for so long. Mr. Allen directed but does not appear in this one, but you could say that he has replaced himself and Diane Keaton with Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart.

Bobby Dorfman (Mr. Eisenberg) is a fellow who moves to Hollywood where he falls in love with Vonnie (Ms. Stewart) after having grown up in a colorful family in the Bronx.  But Vonnie is also being wooed by Phil (Steve Carell) and when she decides to marry Phil, Bobby returns to New York, where he becomes a part of high society nightclub life and meets and marries Veronica.

I have been struggling the past few days trying to write something about all the horrific things going on in the world right now. But I simply cannot find anything meaningful or inspiring to say. I want to believe that each terrible event is the last, but unfortunately it does not seem to be so. Watching movies provides only a brief escape. When the lights come up, we are still right where we were.

Love,

Rebecca