Monday, December 21, 2015

George's Battle

My brother in law and great friend, George Graham of South Weymouth, Massachusetts, married to my sister Karen, faces the battle of a lifetime. Tomorrow he begins five weeks of targeted radiation and chemo, after that four more for recuperation. Then they cut. Esophageal cancer is a tough one, and it took down Hitch, but Hitch was a lifelong smoker and it was all through him.  They never even gave him the option of surgery.

George, on the other hand,  is a big healthy non- smoker, an outdoorsman and naturalist, who shares my interests in birds and guns among other things; but for their love of the ocean, I have privately hoped they might move here when they retired. He has the best attitude I can imagine, as does Karen: healthy skepticism, black humor, and a determination to avail themselves of all of the wonders of modern medicine, with which my family is amply connected, in a great medical town. All concerned will do their blessed damndest to fight this thing...

So, say a prayer or just light a candle to modern science, but let Karen and George, and their sons,  know they have any support they need. I will.

He and Karen with Tom and Nadine Russell, Passim coffeehouse, Cambridge MA

 He and Karen at official Mass trapping class earlier his year, learning how to catch problem creatures dead or alive-- not a common suburban skill!



 With me at the Magdalena shooting range, and with us at the Spur- his accent, without the consonantal "r", delighting the cowboys: "Say 'Jawj,' George!"

"Ahh, you guys..."




 Telling cancer what to do:


19 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you Steve, for the kind words and love. We are optimistic especially being treated here in Boston - best doctors in the world and I do have an unbelievable network. Things may get tough but we are heading in Boston Strong... and I truly do believe in the village mentality and excepting everyone's spiritual strength no matter what it may be.
Thank you all

Phil Yearout said...

Good Kansas Karma headed your way George; go get 'em!

Anonymous said...

May the spirit of all survivors against man, beast or dread disease sustain you in your battle.

Jim Cornelius

Anonymous said...

You will all find inner strength to beat this - keep being positive ...

JohnnyUK

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and Prayers George and Karen... Kick Ass!
Eric

Keith Smith said...

Prayers for you both. You'll win this fight.
Keith

Unknown said...

Thoughts and prayers to you all.. Stay positive, keep the faith and battle on! Our family knows first hand about this disease and great loss it has caused. Love, family, support and perseverance will get you thru!❤️

Carolyn Cattaneo said...

You are all in my thoughts and my daily prayers when I visit Arch Street before work in the morning. You are a strong man George and will pull through this!

Unknown said...

George,Karen,Alec & Evan, thoughts and healing prayers heading your way. You've got this George. Your one of the toughest guys I know (and one with a huge heart). You have an amazingly loving Wife and two awesome Sons. We are honored to be a part of your village. Kick it's ass as hard as you can and remember to Bee-positive. ❤ you all. Barry, Laurie and Aaron XOXO (your village people forever)

Unknown said...

George,Karen,Alec & Evan, thoughts and healing prayers heading your way. You've got this George. Your one of the toughest guys I know (and one with a huge heart). You have an amazingly loving Wife and two awesome Sons. We are honored to be a part of your village. Kick it's ass as hard as you can and remember to Bee-positive. ❤ you all. Barry, Laurie and Aaron XOXO (your village people forever)

Unknown said...

George,Karen,Alec & Evan, thoughts and healing prayers heading your way. You've got this George. Your one of the toughest guys I know (and one with a huge heart). You have an amazingly loving Wife and two awesome Sons. We are honored to be a part of your village. Kick it's ass as hard as you can and remember to Bee-positive. ❤ you all. Barry, Laurie and Aaron XOXO (your village people forever)

Unknown said...

Well said, Steve. I'm lighting a candle AND saying a prayer. Love to you all.
Judi, Jeff, Jesse, Jake and Jenna

Unknown said...

Well said, Steve. We are lighting a candle AND saying a prayer. Love to you all.
Judi, Jeff, Jesse, Jake and Jenna

Anonymous said...

I'll light a BONFIRE and conjure my best ju-ju to send that cancer crap back whereof it crawled from, even though I don't know you from Adam(more's the power!)....from the Uwharries in North Carolina....L.B.

Caitlin Craig said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, George!! Stay strong!
- Caitlin, Jeff, Liv and Charlie Craig

Lynne said...

Stay strong cuzz !!!
U got this
💜

Lynne said...

Stay strong cuzz !!!
U got this
💜

George Graham said...

We're truly amazed at the depth and reach of our village, I can't even begin to thank each and every one of you for the support, the words of inspiration. Going forward, we'll do all we can to "use our superpowers for the good of mankind" as I've always professed to our sons.
"the best is yet to be" is by new favorite java mug, all words I can live by.
Rock on to 2016

Unknown said...

I met George on a number of occasions when he visited England and considered him a good friend, always positive and had a genuine and great love of the world in which he was part of. He loved birds of prey and spent many hours at our bird of prey centre in England flying owls and had a great love for eagle owls and the Harris hawk and we loved his visits as he always had stories of his travels. We even named one of our birds after him on his first visit to us.
In Feb 2016 we purchased a juvenile American Bald eagle and kept it quiet so he had something to look forward to on his next visit which unfortunately never happened.