Larry Boller:  

Workplace I have been married for 51 years and have three married daughters 4 granddaughters and one grandson Here is a story that appeared in my college alumni news that I wrote: Two years ago, just a few days before Christmas, I got the call from my doctor following up on a routine test. He needed to see me. When I got there he told me that he had "found something he didn’t like." This led me to believe that I was going to like it even less. While doing an upper endoscopy (which looks at the esophagus and stomach) he had found areas that he thought might be cancer! Esophageal cancer had two characteristics: one, it was relatively rare so I would have to go somewhere else for treatment and two, it is usually fatal. At the same time, they also saw a shadow on my liver with a CT scan, but I knew that had been there for several years so it was probably nothing. So, over Christmas 2006 I awaited my appointment with the the Large Very Prestigious Medical Center with anxiety and denial, but also some sense of Hope. I went to the Medical Center on January 3rd 2007 it was a terrible visit. They told me I did have cancer; I did not want it. The main doctor they assigned to me had all the bedside manner of my shoes! After being seen by a team of doctors, they were in agreement that my only Hope lay in a complex operation. The surgery they were talking about would open me from stem to stern and remove all of my esophagus and hook my stomach up with the back of the mouth they would also take a peek at that "shadow" on the liver--nothing guaranteed and not particularly pleasant, but certainly better than the alternative. Leaving that appointment, the only Hope appeared to be in the form of this surgery, which they reported would alter my lifestyle considerably. But, with Faith in God, to whom I had assigned the role of "Case Manager," I agreed to have it two weeks hence. I started my negotiations with God to see what could be arranged. Wasn’t there a simpler procedure? Should I not have the surgery and let nature take it’s course? Was he sure about this whole Heaven thing? Were my parents there waiting for me? Would I be able to watch my children and grandchildren? Did he realize that I was only 56 and that all of my grandparents, great grandparents and parents had died of heart disease… no cancer anywhere! While I knew better that to demand things I did ask for some consideration on these issues. It was the first in a series of conversations we would have--my Faith prodding me along toward Hope. I went back to work, and at the urging of one of my coworkers, I called a staff meeting to let my staff hear the story directly from me. I must admit to being heartened by the outpouring of sentiment, hugs and words of encouragement. It was the first of many such outpourings until I had prayer chains, whole churches, fellow Catholics, Christians, Jews and one Muslim praying for me. I could feel a ball of energy surrounding me I am sure it was the power and goodness of the Spirit. St. Paul clearly new what he was talking about--Love truly is the greatest of the virtues. They simply “Opened and Closed” me, which usually is a bad sign. They told me and my wife (who actually could remember, I was lost it in the haze) that I would likely be dead in six months. My wife, an RN, and I have both been in healthcare for 42 years each and have always tried to act as extensions of His Healing Hands. While we prepared for what the Medical Center had told us, we had the Hope to keep looking. We knew lots of people who knew people and with the guidance of the Spirit we reached out, there were people searching the entire country and Internet ...Expand for more