Page 14 - Talk of Tequesta - August '20

Page 14, The Talk Of Tequesta

Book review

Through The Lens Of Love: Facing Terminal Illness

By Nils A. Shapiro

The opening sentence of this This is a guide for those who itself as friendship, where such common interests as photography
book is unforgettable: must prepare for the worst ... as and gardens were shared and enjoyed as passions.
“These were the best two well as an inspiring story of how Second, because Robin was prescient enough to have kept
years of my life,” Dick said to one couple’s loving marriage so many of the letters, cards and other documents both medical
me. conquered fear itself. and personal that filled her crowded days and nights during his
What makes these words so Dick (as he was known to final years. She also records here so many of the treatments,
remarkable – and stunningly family and friends) had turned 64 travels and helpful ideas that enabled her to deal with Dick’s
poignant – is that they were in April of 2012, and he and Robin health issues – and at the same time extend his life and give
spoken to the author by her had then celebrated their 40th him comfort. This book is an excellent guide for anyone who
physician husband, Dr. Richard anniversary with a trip to Monet’s must serve as a caregiver for a loved one with a terminal illness,
Gross, shortly before he died ... Garden in Giverny, France and the including the importance of a wonderful support system. In her
and the years he was referring Keukenhof Garden in Holland as case, “LotsaHelpingHands,” a network of volunteers comprised
to were those they had shared after he had been diagnosed as part of a special tour where they of family, friends and Dr. Gross’s former patients offered to show
having glioblastoma, an incurable form of brain cancer that indulged their mutual passions for photography and gardens. their appreciation for his decades of devoted care by, for example,
often means only months to live! He survived two years, almost Back home in Lakeville, Massachusetts, the pride of their driving him to some of his treatment appointments – most of
to the day. beautiful home were the magnificent gardens they had designed them an hour away in Boston – and performed such other helpful
This is the disease that was described by our “Medical and nurtured, filled with butterflies, hummingbirds, frogs, a fish tasks as shopping, or staying with him while Robin had to handle
Matters” columnist in last month’s issue of Boca Club News, Dr. pond and even two pet peacocks at one point. outside matters.
Richard Nagler, as “one of the most lethal of all cancers ... with With their four grown children – three daughters and a son – And finally, as an example of Dick’s concern that Robin be
a two-year survival rate of less than 25 percent.” all now on their own, and Dick only a year away from thinking happy and well cared for after his death, he insisted that they
The book first came to my attention more than a year ago when about retiring from his private medical practice, he and Robin search together for a new home for Robin because – with the
its author, Robin Gross – who, through mutual friends, knew of were looking forward to a second honeymoon lifestyle, as much children on their own – their old home was too much for her
my background as the editor of more than two dozen published in love as they had ever been. to deal with herself. They found their perfect home in a lovely
books – asked me, as a courtesy, to examine her manuscript and Then, on May 20, 2012 their lives changed forever with that community, and arranged for a beautiful courtyard garden (birds,
offer my comments. I had very few to suggest because I found diagnosis – a tragic reminder that Dick’s brother, Sam, had died butterflies and all) while he was still here to ensure that she would
this memoir of her final two years of life with her husband so of the very same glioblastoma at the age of 65. be happy ... his final gift to her.
extraordinarily touching … and, equally important, recognized Through the Lens of Love is Robin’s memoir of how this *****
immediately how valuable it would be as a guide to anyone faced deeply committed couple decided to face so impossible a life Because this book has been self-published, copies of this
with such a traumatic situation. challenge. While the subject matter may lead some to assume this paperback are available only from Amazon.com – where it
Since I first learned of this book, the arrival of the coronavirus to be a depressing book, it is very much the opposite. It will be, rapidly made Amazon’s bestseller list – and from the author. To
and its threat of infection and rapid deaths of victims in hospitals instead, an inspiring and uplifting experience for three different order from the author, contact: butterflylady144@yahoo.com.
alone and without family for comfort has caused many to forget kinds of readers. Through the Lens of Love: Facing Terminal Illness is $14.95 in
that there are still those who must deal with the other medical First, more than a “love story,” it is a story of love between two paperback. A Kindle edition is also available exclusively from
issues that were with us long before the pandemic. souls – a love so full, so complete, so deep that it also expressed Amazon.com for $4.99.

Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, August 2020

“For the Love of Animals” Lucy had tuned into his condition and gotten him the help
features real stories happening he needed. This scenario has repeated itself on several
at Furry Friends in Jupiter. We occasions and, as a result, the bond between Lucy and the
are The Humane Society of son is everlasting. From being discarded to being a hero,
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the we are so proud of Lucy and what she represents for the
only no-kill shelter open to the many that we rescue!
public in northern Palm Beach When considering adding a furry family member to
County. We’ve been rescuing, your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW
rehabilitating, and re-homing Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100
the homeless animals in our Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE
community for more than 30 years. Our not for profit CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR TO VISITING EITHER Weenie is a seriously Mimi, at 11 years old, has been in
501c3 organization consists of our Jupiter based adoption LOCATION DUE TO COVID-19. handsome 1 year old and out of our shelter for most of her
seeking his forever family.
life and at no fault of her own. She
center, veterinary clinic (open to the public), thrift store, Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all He loves attention, laps and is an obedient and sweet girl who
and Palm City Ranch. for the LOVE of animals! other cats. Please call 561- likes being the only fur-child in the
747-5311 ext. 2 to learn home. She’s house-trained, healthy
more about Weenie! and available as an adoption or long-
Patricia Deshong, President
People and animals. The connections are real and often term foster. Let’s get Mimi into her
life-changing, as each can offer comfort, support and hope FOREVER home!
to the other. At Furry Friends, we live for and cultivate Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
these connections each and every day through dog and cat 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
adoptions, expert veterinary care, and our special programs Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
like Senior to Senior and Shelter to Service Dog™. 2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
One special connection we’d like to share with you is 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311
that of Lucy and her family. Lucy was brought to Furry ext. 3
Friends more than a year ago from the Redlands, an area “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
where pets are routinely dumped by their owners and left to happen for our Furry Friends”
fend for themselves. Mostly feral and extremely shy, Lucy
was accompanied by her 6 puppies, all of which were soon
adopted. We knew it would take months of rehabilitation for
Lucy and so our Adoption Manager kindly took her home
and worked with her. Lucy made tremendous progress in
our manager’s care, her self-confidence blossoming every
day.
Soon it was time for Lucy to meet a family that expressed
interest in her, mainly because they had adopted one of her
puppies and felt the two should be together. This family
agreed to foster Lucy, knowing that in her case, she would
need extra time to adjust to their home.
The son in the family suffers from medical-related
seizures. One night, the mother was awakened by Lucy on
her bed and pawing her. So uncharacteristic of Lucy, the
mother couldn’t imagine what was wrong until she went
to check on her son and realized he was having a seizure. Paid Advertisement