I’ve been asked to speak a little about Dr. Mel Goldstein on tonight’s FoxCT News at Ten . He and I worked together for 25 years. Here’s what I wrote.
When Dr. Mel’s cancer was discovered Jeff Bailey from Channel 8 and I went to Mel’s home to bring him a computer. It was a long time ago.
Once it was working we showed him how to do a web search and went to the site for multiple myeloma, his form of cancer. Silently the three of us read the page that showed the time from discovery to death. It was under two years.
None of us said anything, but you could feel the room turn cold.
I didn’t realize it that day, but Dr. Mel didn’t accept the verdict. He wasn’t going to give in or more accurately give up.
That he lived for sixteen years after his cancer was discovered, long beyond what anyone could have expected, is a testament to him. Dr. Mel and his wife Arlene became their own best advocates for care and treatment. They were eagle eyed in making sure no stone was left unturned, no possible treatment unexplored.
I suspect that is the legacy Dr. Mel would wish to leave with us all.
Don’t give up.
Don’t give in.
Be your own strongest advocate.
I watched him as he spoke to others who’d also been given death sentences. He was an inspiration because he showed what could be done. I am sure there are more cancer survivors today because Dr. Mel showed them you can fight and win.
He was in a great deal of pain from his cancer. More pain than you probably know. I’m not sure how he handled that.
For a guy who was anything but an athlete he was awfully strong!
As has been posted in the blog comments Dr. Mel and I had some seriously rough patches. None of that takes away from what his actions left for others. I hope that’s how he’ll be remembered.
