I would be sitting in the exam room at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) Clinic, staring at the back of the closed door, waiting for the requisite "Are you decent? knock (FYI: no disrobing is necessary for any of my exams or procedures). The door would finally swing open, that elfin-like, cherubic (though svelte) Dr. Strair would come bounding in with tons of energy and even more questions about how EVERYONE in the family is doing - especially Jessie (he was a bit star struck by her “Hollywood” connection; he loved to talk about his cousin who was a writer for the Dora the Explorer cartoon series). Every visit lasted as long as he needed it to be and as long as I wanted it to be.
Don’t get me wrong, the new Dr. S is great, but it’s just a different vibe. Not better or worse - - just different. Perhaps it was generational relatability with “Roger" (he is about three years older than me). Or maybe it was that we started this journey together and he was always such a great guide and partner. Net/net, we probably spent more time talking about family and fun-things other than cancer, but clearly it was all time well-spent. My disease is under control and I turned out ok, so I think he managed it all very well. A mixture of schmoozing and science that is his proven formula for success. Equal parts disease management and distraction - combined to keep me completely informed about every step of my journey, while benevolently (or subconsciously) helping me find and maintain a perspective.
It turns out that he didn't stay retired for very long, and is now running a clinic in an underserved neighborhood of socio-economically challenged Camden, NJ. So, I know that he's happy, fulfilled and still sharing his genius and unique bed-side manner with the cancer-stricken world, while mentoring the next generation of similarly patient-centric physicians.
It's been about two years now since Dr. Strair retired, Dr. S has stepped in to keep the SS Cancer ship on a steady course, and my treatment remains world-class. But I still miss him.
