A Tale of Two Forwards, Part II

John Wayne in True Grit.

Mom had not one but two forwards.  The first I posted last week from Dr. David P. Wilkinson, fearless leader of the St. Francis of the Foothills community in Tucson in the 80s when we attended.  The second forward is from another doctor altogether, Dr. George Sisson.



Not very often does a head and neck cancer surgeon have the opportunity to write the prologue of a book written by a three time cancer survivor.  To be a long time survivor itself takes "true grit."  A person must have deep inner faith not only in his or herself, but also in mankind.  Spiritual inspiration  must be mentioned, for it is available to anyone who will open their heart and mind.

Dr. Sisson served as mom's surgeon in the 1990s at Northwestern in Chicago.  Besides mom, he had another more famous and eccentric celebrity as a patient, Mr. Yul Brynner.  Mom never met Yul, but was introduced by Dr. Sisson to the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, co-founded by Yul and Dr. Sisson in 1981.  From Dr. Sisson's forward he states the mission of the organization was to "financially give support to young investigators whose projects on the cure and treatment of head and neck cancers merit pilot funding."

Wow- I never know where these posts are going to take me, and its always some cosmic full circle.

A minor mention of "true grit" I never noticed before. I knew it was a John Wayne movie, but today the eye patch connection has me all aflutter. Add to that a strawberry moment from my own life, a breakfast with my dad and husband at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgeway, Colorado a few years ago. I even have a shirt from there. Funny the web life weaves.

Anyway, back to the Forward:

With these words may I introduce Janet Trever, a highly educated, worldly and wonderfully kind of human being who has, by facing serious challenges head on, highly motivated other cancer patients to "keep their faith" and thereby somehow, someway, undeniable encouraged healing.  Cancer patients who have been through this experience know full and well the truths expounded by Janet.

Janet has not only given of herself to other cancer patients on a one to one basis, but she has actively participated in programs such as the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation which was established by Yul and myself in 1981 with the charge to financially give support to young investigators whose project on the cure and treatment of head and neck cancers merit pilot funding.  The results of these studies and investigations are of valuable help to the National Institute of Health when it selects cancer programs worthy of even more intensive funding.

Having practiced my specialty for over 50 years and been the witness of the sorrow and elation of many patients and their families, I am delighted and especially honored to make a brief statement.  I cannot overemphasize the healing power of persistent optimism and faith not only by patients, but by their doctors, other care givers, and their families--and also by the inspirational contributions of patients like Janet Trever.

To read more on the history of the Yul Brynner foundation or on Dr. George Sisson, please visit http://www.ohancaw.com/history/ and http://www.headandneck.org/.