Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

[Return to Poems and Thoughts index page]

A Delayed Tale. Well, I waited for over an hour for my 1:40 PM appointment yesterday, With my dear oncologist of the last 17 years, Dr. Alali. When I first met him, for our appointment after I began to mend, I suddenly blurted out, "You have a third, middle incisor!" He was originally from Iran and I, having lived in Turkiye, Had a great deal of cultural overlap with this gentle man. He reacted appropriately, with soft surprise that I had noticed such a thing. I explained I was a biologist and that I observed a full gamut of phenomena. Over the years, we have had many wonderful 'extra medical' discussions. Now, continuing--Dr. Alali, very late, finally arrived, being the only oncologist on duty. (I offered to voice a complaint to the administration, But he answered that things were being rectified.) Towards the conclusion of our chat and a little examination, Dr. Alali recollected what he had seen 17 years ago while passing, As I was lying in the exam room with my then new assistant oncologist. He told me that he saw a very sick man and he figured in his head, "That man has six months to live". I never knew this and it took a moment to comprehend just what that implied! We smiled together and Alali added that I now looked--cancer-wise--just great. He said, "I don't always get the timeline correct and when asked, Must qualify my answer by saying so." Well, it was profound, especially not knowing his thoughts previously. I left the room, not really too phased, having gone through so much in my life, From flying through snowstorms, walking through the Kalahari Desert, And having been, nearly fatally, attacked twice by very large African elephants! At any rate, I have 'been given' many extra years-- All the more reason, I wish to give back as much as I am able. Frank Maurer 14 February 2024 1905 Hours.