Greg isauniqueman. Ihaveknown
him forabout20yearsand itwas
myhonour tocare forhimduring
hisbattlewithkidneycancer.
I try not to care for those whom I know
personally. It is purely a selfish motivation –
as Oncology is hard enough when you don’t
know someonewell –butwhen it is someone
you know personally it takes a certain toll
emotionally.
However, when I was asked to care for Greg
I could not say anything but of course, I will
dowhatever it takes, even if I can’t domuch,
it will be anhonour. I knowmany otherswill
talkaboutGreg’s longhistory in theFaith, so I
would like to focus some thoughts andwords
onhis last fewyearsandhisbattlewithcancer.
Should I say care for him? Maybe it would
be better to say we cared for each other. He
gave me more laughs and more spiritual
encouragement than perhaps I gave him, so I
amnot surewhowas the better doctor in this
relationship.
Sometimeshe saidhewouldmixupmyname
with thenamesofGodwhen reciting the long
healingprayer (insteadof “OThouKindOne”
hewas sure itwas sometimes “OThouKynan
One”) which I am surewas heavenly inspired,
but Malini insisted was simply the effects of
hismedication.Gregand I feltquitesure itwas
divine inspiration!
But in all seriousness, Greg’s radiant
acquiescence in dealing with his terminal
diagnosis,hiswill to livea lifethat is full,giving
and good, his generosity of spirit, his amazing
senseof humour and justice and above all, his
love for his family, friends andmusic, were an
inspirationandexample forusall.
Greg is famouswithinourclinic,withallof the
secretarial staff in thecancercentre remarking
tomehowpositiveandglowingGregwas and
how different to many of the other patients
whom they encountered. He had a kind and
funny word for each of them every time he
enteredand leftmy rooms.Theywereamazed
at his positive attitude and recovery with his
manybattleswithcancer.
It is oftenwith howwe treat those whomay
be less in rank or power that we can see true
character shine – and this is an example of
Greg’s character. Everyonewas amirror of the
likeness and image of his Beloved and in that,
hegave fromhisspirit toall equally. -DrKynan
Feeney
A littlenote:WehadFeast todayat ourhouse.
My daughter Haifa wanted to say a prayer.
Unprompted she said, “Iwant to say ahealing
prayer forMrGreg.”.
KynanFeeney
