the good doc

Everyday I get to take a peek into somebody else's world and experience something unknown to me through a different perspective. As you've seen so far, most of my projects have been lighthearted as I ease my way into the world of the Free Press but this story took a different turn. Reporter Terri Hallenbeck and I met with a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Giselle Sholler, several weeks ago at Fletcher Allen Health Care here in Burlington. Dr. Sholler is developing a new treatment for neuroblastoma patients - generally children - with a drug generally used for parasitic infection. Besides being in complete and total awe upon meeting this woman, I was completely blown away with the way she nurtures these children.

Terri and I interviewed six-year-old Jack Brown from London who barely muttered a word as he was hooked up intravenously to his chemotherapy treatment. As I snapped away and collected audio, both Terri and I and Jack's father tried to nurse a few words from him - no such luck. The moment Dr. Sholler stepped into the room, Jack's eyes drifted from his Thomas the Tank Engine DVD and deadlocked on her. Smiles and giggles, stories and show-and-tell, Jack was illuminated.

Soon thereafter in rolls Dustin. Standing on the wheels of his chemo cart, Dustin rolls into Jack's treatment room to hang out. Kids constantly surprise me, but Dustin was a true gem. Dustin's a dry-whitted nine-year-old Southern boy from Atlanta with a drawl that'll melt any Yankee heart. When the nurse asked for his lunch order he mulled over the cafeteria choices and "settled" on a flank stank, hold the corn relish, cooked medium with a side of mash. Oh, and a beer, too. What a little firecracker.

These two boys were incredible and nobody can ignore their strength and will as they deal with this terrible disease. I'm lucky to have met them and hope they continue to touch the lives of others. Click below to watch the audio slideshow for some great commentary.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/legacy/slideshows/040808neuroblastoma/index.html

Dustin with his coy smile.

Little Jack perks right up with Dustin and Dr. Sholler by his side.

A tender moment between father and son.

Tickle torture to pass the time.

Dr. Sholler's got the magic touch.