Everybody's Got Something by Robin Roberts, Veronica Chambers Page B
Authors: Robin Roberts, Veronica Chambers
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appeared on ABC Television hurried into the newsroom and congregated by a TV mounted on the wall. Someone cued up that morning’s show and played Robin’s announcement. Faces darkened and BlackBerrys appeared, and then she walked in and the phones went back into pockets and the faces tried to smile.
Robin, flanked by her cohosts and Dr. Richard Besser, stood at the front of the room underneath the televised version of herself and walked everyone through her disease and her plan. She was stoic, passionate and strong, but most everyone else lost the battle and cried. She, however, insisted that she would not. She was a fighter, supported by God and her family and friends and statistical advantages.
I got to talk with Robin when she had (increasingly rare) free time, and we spoke about how we had met years ago when she was friends with my mom, and she told me how she admired my mom for her strength and resiliency, and that she looked up to me, of all people, for those same qualities. I told her that I got by on luck and the love of family and friends, and that she deserved my admiration far more than I deserved hers. She said that that’s how we all get by.
A few days before she left to prepare for her transplant and subsequent quarantine, Robin handed out these multicolored bracelets. She said the colors represent springtime and regrowth. Wear them if you want, she said, so you don’t forget about me completely while I’m gone. At least remember the prayer. It’s called the Prayer for Protection.
I shed a lot of tears reading Will’s paper. He embodies resilience, strength and courage.
After addressing the staff, I went to my private office to catch my breath. Sonny, my rock, quietly stood at the door, gently telling my colleagues not to come in right now. I needed a moment to myself. I didn’t want to check my e-mails or voice mail. I just wanted to be still. I closed my eyes and took deep, long breaths. Time seemed to stop. When I opened my eyes, Sonny was still standing guard. Thank you, Sonny.
Chapter 14
Assembling My Team
W hen Sally-Ann and I got to the treatment room later that day, we turned on the TV. It happened to be on CNN and at that very moment, they were doing a story on what I had disclosed that morning. The anchor, Alina Cho, was sensitively and thoughtfully discussing my situation. Then she began to interview Dr. Gail Roboz, the director of the leukemia program at New York–Presbyterian Hospital. Even though I wasn’t her patient, Dr. Roboz explained my condition better than anyone had at that point. There was something special about her that resonated and comforted me.
The nurse preparing me for chemo spoke highly of Dr. Roboz. Although she was at a different hospital, the nurse was very familiar with her work. Sensing my interest, she asked me if I wanted Dr. Roboz’s phone number. I think my response was: “Uh, yeah!” It was at that moment that I realized good doctors and nurses want only what’s best for the patient.
How many medical segments had I done on GMA ? You hope that it helps people. You hear from the viewers that they were sitting at the breakfast table or ironing a shirt for work and they heard something on TV that saved their lives. Then it happened to me. Television, the medium in which I work and have dedicated my life to, helped me find a great doctor when I needed her most.
I called Dr. Roboz from the car on my way home. I thanked her for her professionalism in discussing my case. She knew I was seeing another doctor at another hospital and simply said I could consult with her any time. “I’d be happy to help in any capacity,” she said. She was obviously knowledgeable, but also upbeat and humorous. She was realistic about the odds, but she also made me believe that I could beat this.
Sally-Ann could tell how much better I felt after talking with Gail. I knew I wanted to switch doctors, but how? It was a real dilemma, because I’d just started my pre-treatment
Robin, flanked by her cohosts and Dr. Richard Besser, stood at the front of the room underneath the televised version of herself and walked everyone through her disease and her plan. She was stoic, passionate and strong, but most everyone else lost the battle and cried. She, however, insisted that she would not. She was a fighter, supported by God and her family and friends and statistical advantages.
I got to talk with Robin when she had (increasingly rare) free time, and we spoke about how we had met years ago when she was friends with my mom, and she told me how she admired my mom for her strength and resiliency, and that she looked up to me, of all people, for those same qualities. I told her that I got by on luck and the love of family and friends, and that she deserved my admiration far more than I deserved hers. She said that that’s how we all get by.
A few days before she left to prepare for her transplant and subsequent quarantine, Robin handed out these multicolored bracelets. She said the colors represent springtime and regrowth. Wear them if you want, she said, so you don’t forget about me completely while I’m gone. At least remember the prayer. It’s called the Prayer for Protection.
I shed a lot of tears reading Will’s paper. He embodies resilience, strength and courage.
After addressing the staff, I went to my private office to catch my breath. Sonny, my rock, quietly stood at the door, gently telling my colleagues not to come in right now. I needed a moment to myself. I didn’t want to check my e-mails or voice mail. I just wanted to be still. I closed my eyes and took deep, long breaths. Time seemed to stop. When I opened my eyes, Sonny was still standing guard. Thank you, Sonny.
Chapter 14
Assembling My Team
W hen Sally-Ann and I got to the treatment room later that day, we turned on the TV. It happened to be on CNN and at that very moment, they were doing a story on what I had disclosed that morning. The anchor, Alina Cho, was sensitively and thoughtfully discussing my situation. Then she began to interview Dr. Gail Roboz, the director of the leukemia program at New York–Presbyterian Hospital. Even though I wasn’t her patient, Dr. Roboz explained my condition better than anyone had at that point. There was something special about her that resonated and comforted me.
The nurse preparing me for chemo spoke highly of Dr. Roboz. Although she was at a different hospital, the nurse was very familiar with her work. Sensing my interest, she asked me if I wanted Dr. Roboz’s phone number. I think my response was: “Uh, yeah!” It was at that moment that I realized good doctors and nurses want only what’s best for the patient.
How many medical segments had I done on GMA ? You hope that it helps people. You hear from the viewers that they were sitting at the breakfast table or ironing a shirt for work and they heard something on TV that saved their lives. Then it happened to me. Television, the medium in which I work and have dedicated my life to, helped me find a great doctor when I needed her most.
I called Dr. Roboz from the car on my way home. I thanked her for her professionalism in discussing my case. She knew I was seeing another doctor at another hospital and simply said I could consult with her any time. “I’d be happy to help in any capacity,” she said. She was obviously knowledgeable, but also upbeat and humorous. She was realistic about the odds, but she also made me believe that I could beat this.
Sally-Ann could tell how much better I felt after talking with Gail. I knew I wanted to switch doctors, but how? It was a real dilemma, because I’d just started my pre-treatment
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