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January 21, 2008
Life Changes
Much drama has centered on how lives change in an instant. Most of us live our lives and have some sense when things are about to change. We sense falling in love or when things are going sour at work.
Then there are those sudden events when things change in a blink. A fall breaks a bone or a car bangs into you.
And then there are those life-changing moments when nothing will be the same.
On Saturday, Robbie’s life, and our family’s life, irrevocably changed. After waking with back pain and leg pain, we took him to the doctor, who sent us to Bridgeport Hospital for testing. Based on what they saw in the blood work, it was decided to send him to hematology specialists at Yale-New Haven hospital.
Sunday afternoon, we met with Drs. Beardsley and Massaro and they finally had the news: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
Parents pray for the best and expect the worst and we’d both had leukemia on our mind since we heard the blood work didn’t look right with high white blood cell counts.
Being wired the way we are, both Robbie and I immediately began thinking about the alterations that needed to be made: withdraw from college this semester, stop his job, miss the Farpoint convention, etc. It was how we processed the freaking out and trust me; much of Sunday was given to freaking out and supporting one another.
Most immediately, this means he’ll be Yale-New Haven Hospital for the next month receiving treatment. The entire course of treatment should be about six months but since we don’t know how he’ll respond to the chemo, all we know for now is that he is getting top-notch care. We cannot be happier with the doctors and the nursing staff. (One example: Dr. Massaro called Kate to talk her through the situation after Robbie called to break the news.) His room is comfortable and the facility has wi-fi so Deb and I can try and get some work done while he’s here.
Long-term, this affects Robbie for the rest of his life. He needs to give up alcohol and take better care of his overall health. He needs to decide what he wants to do with the rest of his life as the results may limit some options.
I share this with you not for sympathy but because this will have dramatic effects on my professional life for the next year (I figure). I’ll still posting here and writing most of my projects but it may curtail some convention appearances.
Robbie’s outlook is very strong and positive. He wants to beat this and regain control of his destiny. You should see him with the staff and how concerned he is with how the rest of us are going to live our lives while he’s undergoing treatment.
He breaks our heart and makes us very proud.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at January 21, 2008 10:40 PM
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Comments
We're proud of him too but you knew that.
We're pulling for him and you as well.
Posted by: Kath at January 21, 2008 11:24 PM
{{{hugs}}}
Please let us know if there's anything we can do.
Posted by: Elayne Riggs at January 21, 2008 11:59 PM
Bob,
It's hard to put into words how stunned I am by this news. I'm sure he'll beat it. He's young strong and has an indomitable spirit that's bigger than this disease plus everyone to support him, including two great parents who love him. You know he's got fans everywhere, even in Baltimore. Julie, Rachel and I fully expect to see him down here as soon as he feels up to it so we can show him how much we're pulling for him. Our hopes and prayers are, as always, with all of you. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Bob Ahrens
Posted by: Bob A at January 22, 2008 12:00 AM
Best Wishes to all of you.
Posted by: Alan Coil at January 22, 2008 01:19 AM
I just read about Robbie, and I wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayer are with him, you, Deb and Katie. I still remember how excited he was to see gophers by Fort Calgary.
Posted by: Hermann at January 22, 2008 01:43 AM
Bob, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family - all the best.
Posted by: David Bishop at January 22, 2008 03:10 AM
Wow... This is terrible news, and I'll be anxiously awating further updates about Robbie's progress.
But at least he's very lucky to have a solid support system through his family. Staying positive will win you half the battle, so he's already got a big advantage.
Posted by: Geoff Trowbridge at January 22, 2008 06:59 AM
I'm so sorry. My best wishes to you, your entire family, and most especially, Robbie.
Is there, and I mean this with all sincerity, anything we can do or send?
Posted by: Bill Mulligan at January 22, 2008 07:03 AM
Bob, Rande and I are saddened to hear your news. WE are not too far from you, so let us know if there is anything we can do, or if visits would help.
Beth
Posted by: Beth Goodwn at January 22, 2008 08:21 AM
Thoughts and hopes for Robbie are coming from here. Best of the good luck for your son as he fights this.
In my reporting career I covered Relays For Life, and I've always been impressed with the resolve of the people I've known who've fought cancer and leukemia. And it's heartening to know it can be fought. I hope Robbie gets 100% healthy again.
Posted by: Christopher Walsh at January 22, 2008 09:05 AM
I'm sure you'll be a stalwart throughout this whole process, Bob. I've always admired your incredible devotion to your family. That's the kind of devotion that needs to be there when events like this are inflicted on a family. On the one occasion I met him, he and I were two strangers to each other who seamlessly struck up a conversation and had a ball just yakking. He's a plucky kid and I'm sure he'll beat this thing down in a way that'll provide a good example to others.
Posted by: Rhett Thomas at January 22, 2008 09:31 AM
As others have said, Robbie's got the right attitude to beat the thing, to say nothing of the family and friends who will be fighting alongside him. We'll keep him and all of you in our thoughts.
If there's anything we can do or send, please don't hesitate to ask.
Posted by: Dayton at January 22, 2008 09:31 AM
Best wishes, good thoughts and prayers to all of you, especially Robbie. Farpoint won't be the same without you there.
Posted by: Sharon Van Blarcom at January 22, 2008 09:32 AM
Best wishes.
Posted by: Bill Leisner at January 22, 2008 09:45 AM
Sending my best for everyone involved...
Posted by: Dwight Williams at January 22, 2008 09:46 AM
Hi, Bob,
I will keep Robbie and your family in my prayers, he's young and strong, he'll fight this and come out stronger in the end.
Posted by: Dawn Swingle at January 22, 2008 09:50 AM
Bob, we're all thinking of you and your family.
Posted by: Amy Sisson at January 22, 2008 09:50 AM
Add me to those keeping a good thought for your family. These times are never easy, are never good, but I hope you can draw some measure of strength by knowing how many folks there are out there who you've touched, all of whom are keeping you in their thoughts, hoping for the best right alongside you.
Posted by: Ali Kokmen at January 22, 2008 10:42 AM
Bob, I know at this point factoids and research and survivor stories are less than useless. Just know that you and your family are not alone. Valerie and I hold you in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, let us know.
Posted by: KeVinK
at January 22, 2008 10:44 AM
Please give Robbie our best, Bob, and the offer of anything we can do obviously holds for us as well.
*big hugs*
Posted by: KRAD
at January 22, 2008 11:42 AM
I'm not usually the praying type, but for this, I can toss one skywayd.. Of course, anything we can do to help we will as well..
Hopefully we will see you BOTH, hail and hearty around the summer...
Posted by: Jeff Linder at January 22, 2008 11:44 AM
Sorry that you and your family have to take this particular journey through life, but I know you all can win this fight. Good luck and all my best wishes.
Posted by: gordon purcell at January 22, 2008 11:57 AM
As I've already told you, Nomi and I wish best of luck to Robbie and the whole family. Any support that we can offer, let us know.
Posted by: Michael A. Burstein
at January 22, 2008 12:17 PM
My thoughts are with you and your family. Be strong for each other and be positive.
Posted by: Marv at January 22, 2008 12:41 PM
Bob, I'm so stunned to hear about Robbie. Please know that your family will be in our prayers and thoughts. Please tell Deb that I'm sending both of you all my love. If you need anything at all, just let us know.
Posted by: Diane Sahar at January 22, 2008 01:12 PM
Hi, Bob
My nephew was diagnosed with the same form of leukemia when he was 16.
That was 20 years ago and he made a full recovery.
We'll be praying for Robbie and your family.
Best,
Mark
Posted by: Mark Ellis at January 22, 2008 01:26 PM
Hi, Bob.
We haven't seen each other in quite a while and I've never met Robbie, but word reached me about this in a flash. You and your family will be in Eddie's and my thoughts as you deal with this health struggle.
Howard
Posted by: Howard Cruse at January 22, 2008 02:08 PM
Best wishes to everyone in your family.
Posted by: Julio Angel Ortiz at January 22, 2008 02:08 PM
John and I will be sending our best vibes to Robbie.
Posted by: Martha Thomases at January 22, 2008 02:08 PM
Hi, Bob.
We haven't seen each other in quite a while and I've never met Robbie, but word reached me about this in a flash. You and your family will be in Eddie's and my thoughts as you deal with this health struggle.
Howard
Posted by: Howard Cruse at January 22, 2008 02:09 PM
Best of luck through it all.
Posted by: Rich G at January 22, 2008 02:10 PM
Sorry to hear about this, Bob. Here's to hoping your son fights the good fight and overcomes this quickly and with as little an impact upon your lives as possible.
Posted by: Craig J. Ries at January 22, 2008 02:39 PM
Hugs to all of you, B. We're with you.
Posted by: Diane Duane
at January 22, 2008 02:58 PM
Hugs to all of you, B. We're with you.
Posted by: Diane Duane
at January 22, 2008 03:00 PM
God, Bob, what terrible news. I'll keep Robbie and all of you in my thoughts. Here's hoping he's as lucky as Mark Ellis' nephew. Please let me know if there's anything I can do.
Paul
Posted by: Paul Balze at January 22, 2008 03:01 PM
As you said, Robbie's a great kid (I guess that's young adult now -- oh how the time flies). He'll beat it.
Posted by: De Baisch at January 22, 2008 04:33 PM
Oh God, I am so sorry to hear this. I read it on Kate's blog yesterday. Robbie has always been an incredible person and I've always appreciated his help and enjoyed his company. I love Robbie and I'm devastated by the news, but I know that he will do all in his power to beat this and that he can count on his family and legions of friends to help him. If there is ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING that I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask.
In the meantime, please be assured that the Boogie Knights will not let Kate go through this alone down here. (After dealing with my Mom's cancer from 400 miles away, I understand all the conflicting feelings that Kate will be dealing with.)
My love to the whole family,
Smap
Posted by: Smap at January 22, 2008 07:02 PM
I'm sorry to hear the shocking news. Sounds like you guys are holding up pretty well given the circumstances. Best wishes and good vibes to you, Robbie, Deb, Kate and your entire families.
Posted by: badMike at January 22, 2008 07:06 PM
My thoughts are with you and your son. Be strong.
Posted by: Luigi Novi at January 22, 2008 07:13 PM
Bob, you are a strong person....I don't know Robbie but suspect he is the same. My thoughts are with you for the battle, but I wouldn't bet against either of you.
Best,
Heidi
Posted by: Heidi MacDonald at January 22, 2008 08:49 PM
Sorry to hear of this. Here's hoping that the treatment nukes it entirely and that any side effects are minimal or absent.
**hugs**
Posted by: TBonz at January 22, 2008 09:00 PM
You will not find a finer hospital than Yale-New Haven; I've had 3 kids and three separate surgeries through them, and always had the best doctors and very best of care. That news alone gives me great confidence that this is merely a speed bump on the road of your lives. I do hope they waive parking fees for you - if not, demand it, because their parking will cost more than the treatment. Don't forget to laugh, for laughter is the best medicine.
And eat well for strength! Pepe's Pizza is just around the corner, rated the Best Pizza in CT by Connecticut Magazine several years running, with good reason. If you need it delivered, we'll be more than happy to oblige. We're cheering for you.
Posted by: Susan O at January 22, 2008 09:40 PM
As I've said elsewhere, my thoughts and prayers are with Robbie and your entire family. I have faith and confidence that he can kick this, and look forward to seeing you all soon. [[[hugs]]]
Posted by: Jean at January 22, 2008 11:37 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about this, Bob, but you and your family seem to have as good a handle on it as anyone could hope for. Best of luck to you all over the course of the treatment, and here's hoping for many long, fruitful days for everyone involved.
Posted by: Matt Forbeck at January 23, 2008 12:35 AM
Read about this on Peter David's blog. Sorry to hear it. I'll say a prayer for Robbie.
Posted by: Delmo Walters Jr. at January 23, 2008 02:55 AM
Bob,
This is terrible news. I'll be hoping for the best…
best wishes
Posted by: Joel Meadows at January 23, 2008 08:43 AM
Bob:
My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
Give Robbie a hug for me.
--Pete
Posted by: Peter Krause at January 23, 2008 09:28 AM
I don't think we've corresponded in over a decade, but I heard about this over on Peter's blog and had to come over. What awful news.
I have a cousin who works at Yale-New Haven, and she's had nothing but good things to say about the place. I'm sure Robbie is going to get the best of care. (And as Susan pointed out, at least you've got Pepe's Pizza nearby!)
If you're ever in need of an extra consultation or opinion, my mother's oncologist (specialist in hematology) is up in that area (New London, but that's close enough) and was a huge boon to us. If you're interested in details, let me know and I can e-mail them to you.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family. Let's hope he beats this.
TWL
Posted by: Tim Lynch at January 23, 2008 09:36 AM
Oh, Bob, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll be cheering you all on as Robbie fights this off.
Posted by: Carrie Wright at January 23, 2008 09:56 AM
Ah, geez... I'm with everyone else here, that if you and the family need anything -- and I do mean ANYTHING -- all you gotta do is let me know. I'm really proud of Robbie, and of you, for being so strong and upbeat. And I'm hoping that there's never, ever cause for that to change. - JS -
Posted by: Jim Spivey at January 23, 2008 10:14 AM
Bob,
My prayers are with you and your family at this time. Please, just as everyone else has said, if there's anything at all I can do , let me know.
Posted by: Jamal Igle at January 23, 2008 10:25 AM
Sending all prayers and good thoughts your way, Bob. {{hug}}
Posted by: Trisha Mulvihill at January 23, 2008 10:31 AM
Sending good thoughts your way, Bob. Do what you gotta do and we'll all hope for the best!
Posted by: Richard Pachter at January 23, 2008 10:39 AM
Bob:
There's not much more I can add to what everyone else has already said so well. Know that Carmela and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts.
Be sure to take good care of yourself, too.
-- Roger
Posted by: Roger Stern at January 23, 2008 11:09 AM
Good luck to Robbie and your whole family. My thoughts are with you.
-Andy Holman
Posted by: Andy Holman at January 23, 2008 11:23 AM
Keep fighting Robbie. Our prayers are with you.
Posted by: Fred at January 23, 2008 12:17 PM
Prayers and best wishes to you, Robbie, and the rest of your family, Bob.
Posted by: David Young ("YoungTrek") at January 23, 2008 12:32 PM
I know we don't have much opportunity to talk to you anymore, but know that Brian, Karl, and I are pulling for you. Please give Robbie and the rest of your family our regards. You're in our thoughts.
Posted by: Cully Hamner at January 23, 2008 01:05 PM
I know we don't have much opportunity to talk to you anymore, but know that Brian, Karl, and I are pulling for you. Please give Robbie and the rest of your family our regards. You're in our thoughts.
Posted by: Cully Hamner at January 23, 2008 01:05 PM
I know we don't have much opportunity to talk to you anymore, but know that Brian, Karl, and I are pulling for you. Please give Robbie and the rest of your family our regards. You're in our thoughts.
Posted by: Cully Hamner at January 23, 2008 01:06 PM
You know how I feel about your kids. Tell the young paduwan that his Jedi Master tells him to kick the dark side's A**!
Posted by: T A Chafin at January 23, 2008 01:42 PM
I'm so terribly sorry for your family to have this awful burden, and can only wish you the very best. I can only hope for the speediest possible improvement and all the good will in the world.
Posted by: Gail Simone at January 23, 2008 02:13 PM
Has your family faced leukemia or a similar health condition prior to this, Bob? Sounds it. You guys seem to know what you're doing already.
I'm glad to hear your description of your reaction, and Robbie's reaction -- launching into practical steps to face this un-asked-for challenge. Hooray for you guys! Medical treatment and management programs for people with leukemia are vastly improved since you or I were kids. (That's when I saw it in my own family.) Your reaction is perfectly appropriate. I'm really sad to learn Robbie faces this burden, but hooray he's a Greenberger, who as far as I could tell do not panic -- or if they secretly must, they do so in such a practical way. That's good wiring, both of you!
Best wishes to all Greenbergers.
Posted by: Mike B.risbois at January 23, 2008 02:47 PM
My best wishes to you and your family Bob.
Posted by: Rafael Kayanan at January 23, 2008 04:59 PM
Bob, I am so sorry to hear about this. I have been following your blog for some time--ever since we both did not attend the Jericho High School reunion--and have been so interested to read about you and your family. I am sure that with all the love and support that you all have for each other that your son will respond well to the treatment. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Laura Lawrie (Greenberg)
Posted by: Laura Lawrie at January 23, 2008 11:33 PM
man, hang tough brother and please let me or amanda know if there is any way we can help at all. stay strong for him, and keep an open conversation, and most important, stay positive .
praying for a speedy recovery!
Jimmy
Posted by: JIMMY PALMIOTTI at January 24, 2008 08:57 AM
All I can offer is my best wishes for your family. We had some health issues a while back and found out that a good attitude is at LEAST half the battle. Stay strong and be there for each other.
Posted by: Sean at January 24, 2008 10:35 AM
You folks are in my thoughts. Take care.
Posted by: Bob Kahan at January 24, 2008 06:52 PM
Bob,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kee the Faith,
D.
Posted by: David Stepp at January 25, 2008 09:37 PM
Bob,
So sorry to hear about Robbie's condition. Life seems to have been hard for both of us recently... so I pray for all the best for your family.
Take care
Jose
Posted by: Jose Marzan Jr. at January 25, 2008 10:18 PM
Mr. Greenberger,
Kate called me earlier in the week to let me know what had been going on. I've written to Robbie and hope to hear back from him soon, though I'm sure he's heard from so many people this week. Please know that I'm thinking about him often, and keeping your family in my prayers.
Lots of love to all.
-Allie
Posted by: Allie Mucha at January 26, 2008 02:44 AM