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the incredible survival story of Business Mogul

Barry Reiter LOVE AND RACISM WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF IT WERE YOU?

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CANCER SURVIVOR ISSUE: Help us spread awareness!!

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www.creativmag.com | Aug - Oct 2015 | CREATIV | 19

WINNING ON PURPOSE A Survivor's Story written by Dr. Cynthia Jean

Treat the patient, not the number. Those six words were indelibly etched into every student’s mind when I was in pharmacy school. They were repeatedly told to us in an effort to help future medical practitioners realize that we must see the BIGGER picture when it comes to dealing with our patients. They are more than just a mere set of lab values. A patient’s illness does not define who they are. Therefore when administering treatment, we strive to care for a patient who has cancer, NOT for a cancer patient. As a medical professional, I make it my aim to use all my resources to treat the WHOLE patient. Barry Reiter is a patient who has pancreatic cancer. He is more than just a collection of lab values and test results. The approach and attitude he’s taken as he deals with his diagnosis and treatment plan is a testimony of a patient who isn’t merely defined by a diagnosis. He is a husband, a father, a beloved colleague, and my Chief Operating Officer. I first met Barry about 10 months ago, when I interviewed for my current career position. His upfront yet kind leadership style were some of the things I appreciated then and still do. It is my delight to share the conversation we had regarding the battle he is valiantly undertaking. 1. I still remember the day you sent the email out to us regarding your diagnosis. What was that day like for you? What do you remember?

I believe I sent the original email out a day or 2 after I was informed of my diagnosis. I received a phone call at about 9am from my old oncologist who treated me for Lymphoma in 2011. He asked me if any other of my doctors had spoken to me yet. I had not. So the MRI that was a test ordered prior to having my prostate removed

3. I’ve heard you speak to others about the disease. You’ve spoken frankly about the facts of pancreatic cancer. What’s your mental outlook?

5. How has the support from loved ones and colleagues helped you along this journey?

The support has been ENORMOUS! I could have never imagined it. My immediate My mental outlook is realistic and family, extended family, friends, co-workers, optimistic. I understand that I will probably people I do not even know have touched me be gone in 5 plus years unless there is some in ways I could have never before imagined. I dramatic change in research and treatment am thrilled that in 9 weeks of chemo I have results. I cry to myself at least a few times a only missed 3 work day due to the side effects day. I try and keep those tears away from of the chemotherapy. My co-workers started others to show my strength. Hildee and I my team for The Lustgarten Foundations sometimes have mutual breakdowns. Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk which will Writing this has brought the tears again. be held at Jones Beach On Sunday October Why? When I am gone, my own suffering 11th. My team has already raised over $8,000 ended up being the MRI and phone call that will be over. But not true for Hildee, Josh and probably has about 40 registered walkers. changed my life forever. I knew what kind of and all the others who have suffered with me Lustgarten gives 100% of every dollar donated questions to ask him as I had a very close in life but their suffering will only be due to a grant they receive from Cablevision. friend that passed away about a year after his beginning once it’s over for me. That is Yes 100%. What charity or research diagnosis and surgery for Pancreatic Cancer. I WHY I FIGHT! My wife doesn’t deserve to organization can make that statement? basically collapsed after the call. I then went be a widow and, well, you get the rest. I must mention this one private Facebook to go get my son Josh. I was crying, shaking site Hildee and I joined that is only for and thought that I had just be handed the patients and families. Everyone shares. death sentence. Basically I was. Is it going to Everyone cares. The love and support I feel be 3-4 months or 3-4 years. The average PC every day from being on this site creates lots patient lives only 27 months after diagnosis of emotions, good and bad. But this group is and only 6% of all PC patients live to the 5 award-winning for me. It’s called Pancreatic year make from their diagnosis. Cancer, Together We Fight! And our moto is What was my day like? I left work. Josh drove “NEGU” NEVER, EVER GIVE UP. me home. I was Crying with my son Josh, crying with my wife Hildee, phone calls to 6. Post diagnosis describe what a parents, children, step-children, sister-in‘bad day’ is like?…… How do you laws, my lawyer (to re-do my will), my 4. What was behind your decision to fight through it? account and stock brokers, etc. I was continue to work? A bad day for me is like having the flu. Fever, preparing to die. It was HORRIFIC! A few reasons. 1 = I need to keep working. I body aches, headaches, stomach issues. The am not in the financial position to not be side effects go on and on and on. My feet are 2.What compelled you to be so open working. 2 = I love my job, the people I work numb from the balls of my feet to the tip of with us? with and the two great men a work for. 3 = my toes (everyday). Even if I could afford to be home I would not I didn’t want to hide behind my disease or choose that route. Being home alone allows have people talking about me behind my me to think of all of the BAD things there back. After notifying family, friends and the necessary professionals I decided everyone at are to think about. I cry a lot when I am alone. Writing the responses to these work needed to know. questions has got me all choked up. Alone is For me, being “alone” in this battle would without any doubt, end in failure and I would BAD. With others and doing things and end up having a shorter life span. So public it using my mind and just trying as much as possible to be the me that I was before July is and I am glad I made that decision. It is 1st, is GOOD. and will continue to help me deal and cope with PC. www.creativmag.com | Aug - Oct 2015 | CREATIV | 29

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ABBI

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CHILL' OUT