3 ms·
My dad started his work as a Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist in the late 60s. He had a firm belief that cure rates could and would climb as a result of resear
by akharris 1y ago
My dad started his work as a Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist in the late 60s. He had a firm belief that cure rates could and would climb as a result of research and better clinical care. He spent his life pursuing both.
When people would ask him how he managed to stay so positive - he was one of the happiest people I’ve ever known - he’d reference the trends highlighted in this article.
That didn’t change how hard it was when he lost a patient, but I know he always had his eyes and his mind on the future.
This is an incredible example of science and medicine. Thanks OP for posting it.
- ErigmolCt 1y agoIt's hard to imagine the emotional weight of working in pediatric oncology back then, when outcomes were so bleak
- ethbr1 1y agoMy father knew a neurosurgeon in the 70s(?), when the outcome statistics were pretty bleak. He asked him how he handled it, and the guy said "Because the few that I save wouldn't be, if we didn't do anything." Sometimes, greater than zero is the win.
- akharris 1y agoI don't fully understand how he did it. I know he took a lot from the line in the Talmud that said "whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world." My mom says that his baseline was incredibly high and that he was incredibly resilient. He also had a big rebellious streak, an analytical mind, and endless compassion.
- throwaway2037 1y ago> the line in the Talmud that said "whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world." I am not Jewish but I learned about this phrase watching the film Schindler's List in high school. That phrase, and listening to Ben Kingsley's character say it, has lived, rent-free, in my mind for the last umpteen years.
- felbane 1y agoSounds like you already know this, but your dad's a hero. Infinite respect for the folks who dedicate their lives to helping others.
- akharris 1y agoThanks for saying that. Here's a bit more about him from the obituary my sister wrote: https://www.northjersey.com/obituaries/pnys1147090 https://www.northjersey.com/obituaries/pnys1147090
- hasmolo 1y agowhat a guy, your dad was a great person
- akharris 1y agoThank you.
- phonon 1y agoBaruch dayan emes. He seemed like an extraordinary person.
- akharris 1y agoThank you so much. He was.
- throwaway2037 1y agoThis obituary is so well written that it could be a front page star on HN. I am not joking. Incredible. You dad was the like the good guy version of the Terminator -- unstoppable in all forms.
- akharris 1y agoThank you. My sister is an incredible write and he was a perfect subject.