Reuven Ben Tova Chaya Kirshner is in remission. The results of a recent MRI have confirmed that there are no detectable cancerous cells in his body. My family is quite relieved at these results. It has been about seven weeks since his chemotherapy ended. And we all pray that these results are permanent.So how’s he doing? I had the pleasure of having the Kirshner children in my house this week and it was a pure joy to see the three brothers interact in the most normal of ways. Reuven is the one of most normal and happy children I know. When he smiles, he lights up the room! And he does that quite often.
In fact he has been doing that throughout his illness including the long chemotherapy sessions. You would never know how serious his illness is by looking at him. He has the same smile now as he did before he contracted this disease. The interplay between siblings is the same as it is between any siblings, there is good fun followed by teasing and fighting. Lots of laughter. Lots of fun. It was a real joy for me to see normalcy.
He still wears a brace on the leg where the fibula was removed. But his walk hardly reflects it. There is no detectable limp. Although when he runs it is obvious. But the doctors tell us that this will disappear with time.
Reuven and his two brothers stayed with us so that their parents, my daughter Tovi and son in law Neil could take a much needed vacation. From the moment they discovered Reuven had cancer they had an unbelievably grueling schedule. Long weeks in the hospital during chemo treatments, followed by sudden trips back to the hospital between treatments.
This was when Reuven developed a fever. Fevers are indicative of infections which endangered his life. Chemotherapy weakens the immune system and that increases the likelihood of infections. Infections can kill someone with a compromised immune system. And that required immediate IV antibiotics.
And as is often the case, fevers will strike at the most inopportune times. Like at a Shabbos Seudah. One moment they were eating Cholent, and the next moment they were in a taxi on the way to the hospital.
My daughter Tovi and son in law Neil handled this with a sense of calm and grace that was superhuman. For an entire year. I doubt I could have had done it. They never complained… always grateful to God for any progress made. I never saw my daughter or son in law complain about their obviously difficult life situation. They went from a normal happy family with a normal lifestyle… to a radically different caretaker mode doing whatever it took to assure Reuven’s care was at optimum levels. Always with a positive attitude. And they never for a moment forgot about their other children. Giving them the attention and discipline they needed. This has resulted in an amazingly well adjusted family. Parents as well as children.
The Tefila that requests of God that he grant complete health asks not only for the health of body but for the health of the soul. Reuven’s soul could have ended up a tortured one. But his soul… his spirit... is as healthy as his body. His soul in fact was never sick. It was never allowed to become sick because of his parents love and devotion. And because of a St. Louis community that cared and was always there for them.
And no less due to a caring medical team and the thousands of people who have prayed on his behalf. I am certain of that. God bless you all.
