When I was diagnosed with a lethal virus twenty two years ago, the odds for survival that they gave me were one to three years.  I was thirty four years old, an accomplished distance runner (3 NYC Marathons in the top 10%) smart, confident, and more than a little cocky, so I told them that in my case they had it wrong, and I have prevailed.  It has not all been a bed of roses though, and in those twenty two years; I have been treated for many issues, by a wide array of doctors, and at countless institutions.

Over the course of the past two months; I have had the extraordinary experience of being treated for two different issues at The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology.  I went through the centers web site prior to my first visit, and as I read the patient stories; I though this is all well and good, but I am not really interested in an ethereal experience; I'm interested in getting efficient, and long lasting treatment for my cancer.  I got that, and much, much more.  During my initial exam, Dr Leonard Farber, the centers founder, noticed a small spot on the bottom of my left foot that two other doctors had missed in a full body exam.  He didn't think it was an issue, but something to be watched.  During that exam he was bending over looking at something, and looked up at me, and said "We're going to help you." There was something about his level of confidence that immediately led me to believe that he was correct.  I knew when I walked out of the center that day-that this was where I wanted to be treated.  Since I am in a position where I am responsible for a large portion of my medical co-pays; I called Vivian, the centers office manager, and told her that while I admired Dr. Farber's optimistic attitude that anything could be handled; I knew that she was the one that I would have to deal with on the financial issues.  She told me that she had to get in touch with her billing people, and determine what type of plan could be negotiated, but closed that conversation by saying "If you want to come here, then you should come here, we will make everything work." I had no reason to doubt her.

Treatment at the center was an unbelievable experience.  I always arrived for my treatments a little early, and most of the time I was whisked away to one of the private dressing rooms to change into a terrycloth robe (no paper gowns here) before I could even get half way through my cappuccino latte espresso, one of the abundant choices of gourmet coffee's available for fresh brewing.   The treatment team including Amy, Kim & Andrew was consistently extraordinary in their level of professionalism-with unerring attention to detail, and always quite sense of empathy.