Susan Fishman (Orlins)

Haha David, as if he needed that career move! Thanks as always for your humor and your movie reviews!

David Fertik

Sue as far as I remember his career was in eclipse by 1977.  He was a fat druggie and his Vegas days were behind him.  The 60s and 70s music left him behind.  I may be wrong because I didn't care for his music beyond 1955 or '56.  I was a "snob" and thought his Twangy country sound was unsophisticated, corny.  I liked urban R&R.

Check out the reviews of ELVIS &NIXON.  They are mixed and I haven't seen it yet.  I only saw the preview trailer

I have been out of the film loop dealing with Arnold's "Merkle" cancer for 7 months, a rare and invasive cancer.  We found it early but it was in his neck lymph nodes, the "staging" area was on his forehead.  It seemed to be all removed after the 2nd operation but radiation was recommended.  We could not find any expert who would advise against it.  This is just to warn you that after 28 radiation sessions, the next few months were hell.  My vital powerful husband was weak, without apetite, had insomnia and was waisting away.  He wanted to update his will, had to be driven everywhere, drink organic Ensure.  Scarey,  He is now on the mend.  I have always had sardonick, gallows humor.  I told everyone he had caught Merkle cancer in Berlin last May when we walked along the Spree river in front of Andrea Merkle's townhouse.

Marsha Dishler

David, I am so sorry that you and your husband had to go through such a stressful and frightening  time. I am glad to hear that he is on the mend. The human body is amazing , and despite what he went through, he can once again become vital and strong. My thoughts are with you both, Marcye

Carol Kutner (Winig)

 David...   A cancer note to you and others. My husband was diagnosed with going into stage 4 esophogeal cancer and told he had at most 6 months. It has a life expectancy at the time of 5%.   That was 16 years ago and he never even had a relapse.    So hope is always there.They took him to deaths door to give hime back life and all by a fluke that it was even found.  So rejoice and enjoy life in front of you.

Sunny Ingber (Drohan)

David and Carol, I am so overwhelmed with joy when I hear stories such as yours. I am a firm believer in miracles. As long as there is breath, there is life. It seems one has to be thrown into drowning before a renewal back to life can occur. I loved the movie Miracles From Heaven because it is a true story of the impossible. May both your spouses live long and pain free lives. They have super caregivers who love and nurture them. Live is very powerful.

Harriet Frankel (Withstandley)

Dear David and Arnold-  I am so sorry for what you went through, but you are very lucky.  I lost a good friend to Merkel's Cell cancer last week.  He was diagnosed in February, and the disease had already spread to his liver, so no surgery was possible.  He was enrolled in a clinical trial, but, after 2 infusions, and radiation, he deteriorated dramatically, and died at age 68. Carol, your story is heartwarming and wonderful.  David, Carol, Arnold, and all of our classmates, enjoy every day with those you love.  .   

George Trapp

Am sorry to read about all these cancers. Strongly believe God is in control of the timing of life but it is good to  follow the optimistic "Yogi-ism", "It ain't over 'til it's over." About 10 years back one of my good buds appeared to be a walking dead man. I was wondering how soon I'd be looking at him boxed up. Hasn't happened yet so now he's 80.

Carol Kutner (Winig)

Thanks Sunny. You right, one must never give up.

Carol Kutner (Winig)

Harriet we do live that way and we apend a lot of time and energy giving back.

Carole Grossman (Chasen)

Even though my sweet dear husband died from kidney caner about 20 months ago, I was and still am and so was he a believer that one never gives up.  You just never know and you live every day and embrace every moment, every hug, sunset, flower just everything.  In truth, we have always lived our lives like that,  I also am a believer that you want to be in control as much as possible about your end of life, too.   SO to all I wish long lives of good health, happy memories to make and share with those you love/

Marilyn Ford (Evans)

David I am so sorry to here about Anorld.Cancer is a pill that does not swallow easily.

My dad passed with bone cancer, Stay strong and allow God to lead the way. CHS

has a class of strong  individuals who will be there with you and everyone else that needs us..

On another note will their be a mini Reunion on the 20th of May? I will be in Philly and

hope to see whom ever can come. Let me know. THANKS

David Fertik

Thank you everyone for your support and caring.  I now know how blessed we are.  I did remember several times that I should remember to smell the roses.  Then I heard a small voice in my head tell me that all life is roses!   WHAT A BLESSING JUST BEING ALIVE.

Jerry Chonin

David, everyone comes in contact with cancer at some point in their lives. 3 of my 4 grandparents, both of my parents, my sister and even me. We can never give in or up. The longevity of this forum is proof that our class has the strength and collective desire to forge on. The love and fight we have will always light our way. 

Carolyn Ford (Swain)

CAROLYN (FORD) SWAIN

Jay Ginsburg

Dave, so sorry to hear about your illness.   Two of my cousins, both doctors, ended up with prostate cancer, and I lost a judge friend of mine to it, though several other judges I know have been treated and are fine.   

Cancer seems to be an epidemic, especially among women.  My dear wife came down with a very aggressive breast cancer late last summer, and although her prognosis is excellent, the chemo and radiation treatments have been brutal. Since she became ill, I have heard dozens of stories from other women who have had to deal with it.  It is positively horrifying.

The good news is that new treatments are approved almost monthly.  One of the chemicals they have my wife on was just approved about three years ago, so stay strong and hang in there.  .

Be well and take care of yourself.

Very  best regards,

Jay

David Fertik

Thanks again to Jay and Jerry and all of you.  I feel stronger knowing the support is out there.

Think about the chemicals in our soil, water and air in the last century and vote for what you think is appropriate.

Protect your children, grandchindren and our future generations.  Sorry to be political, perhaps I've been watching too much TV this year.

My love to you all.

David

Mark Glickman

Mini Reunion in Phila on May 27th ?

Mark Glickman

David Fertik

THANKS again Carolyn, Jerry and others.  Just reread all the messages from our dear classmates.  How blessed we all are.  The support and caring are so moving.

Arnold is getting stronger.  He is again working out with our knowlegable trainer, a phsical therapist.

This morning Borodin's "Prince Igor" was playing on KUSC our L.A. classical music station.  In a flash I was back in Mr. Farrar's music class in Elkins Park Jr. High's auditorium, c.1959.  He played Prince Igor on the Victrola.  I and some others asked, isn't that "Strangers in Paradise" a Vic Damone pop disk. (A Broadway song from the musical "Kismet".)  Yes, he found the nexxus for us teens to appreciate a classical piece.  Another fine teacher many of us enjoyed.

I also remembered he told us a story about a drunk husband who stumbled home at 3am.  His furious wife confronted him but he tried to calm her down by saying he was actually ill with "syncapation".   He had her sympathy until she looked it up in the dictionary and found the definition of "syncapation",  "an irregular progression from bar to bar".   What an entertaining teacher.  Obviously I never forgot.

Eileen Tyrala

I continue to be amazed and amused by the cleverness of your responses, David. You are a very talented writer, and raconteur, indeed! Thanks for so many of your contributions to this forum. I enjoy reading them all!

Susan Fishman (Orlins)

David, I'm so glad to hear Arnold is getting stronger! I'm sure that being with you and your sunny, funny, bright, creative nature adds to his well-being!

Marilyn Ford (Evans)

See Everyone On Friday at 1:00pm

David Fertik

Thanks Sue.  Arnold is the actually the bright sunny character in our relationship.  I am so in awe of his charm, wit and warmth.  When I met him 35 years ago I thanked God.  Now I know we are both blessed. 

By the way Eileen, Arnold is a great storyteller.  I may have learned from him.  I did have a wonderful 9 years of screenwriting after 30 years of writer's block.  So I am trained as a storyteller.  I wish I had developed earlier in my life.  Most writer's agents will not take on clients who are over thirty.  Unfortunately none of my scripts have been made into a movies.  I call myself "a cult failure."  However I did develop a "voice".

If anyone wants to read my scripts let me know.  dfertik@yahoo.com.  I'll send a PDF.  Probably the most autobiographical script is FEAR OF A RUBBERBAND.  A Penn grad goes to USC gaduate school in the late 60s, and accidentally joins a commune.  Does drugs, becomes an antiwar demonstrator and thinks he has found the California surfer girl who will save him from his homosexuality.  Get real!  Yes, it's a comedy.

Eileen thank you for your kind acknowledgment.  You have always been the most sweetly grounded "mensch" (even if you don't know what it means )  You are a gift to humanity, a healer.  Not a surprise that you are a doctor healing children.

It is difficult for me to end a scene without a funny line - I suffer from Neil Simon Syndrome.  So here is an old Hollywood joke from Oscar Levant.  "Underneath all the fake tinsel of Hollywood is the real tinsel!"

David

Andrew Egendorf

Hey, Gang,

A friend of mine in the Ft. Myers-Naples Florida area needs a lawyer for some simple commecial-type matters she wants to get done before she moves away at the end of the month.  Can anybody recommend one?  If so, please contact me directly at egendorf@comcast.net.

Andy

Amy Shelanski

Hi Everyone,

I am happy to say this is the busiest real estate season I've ever experienced, but sad to say I haven't had a chance to keep up with this forum or to do anything about mini-reunion lunch. If someone else wants to pick up the scheduling that would be great. All I ever did was post a time and place on this site and people would show up. We did it every other month. Feel free to take it on!

Amy

Janet Hoffman

Sunday September 18:   How about a mini-reunion at my place in lower Manhattan, as we did a couple years ago in May?  I'm game!  Any takers?  Thinking noonish.

Janet and Pulpito (himself pictured below)