I'm Back

I have never felt like sharing anything personal on this forum before, but this story transcends the personal aspects of my life. In mid-July, I was diagnosed with a rather large retroperitoneal liposarcoma. After working through the immediate shock of how I (someone who took my health and fitness very seriously and went to the doctor for regular check-ups) could have a tumor the size of a football in my abdomen, I began searching for answers. But this cancer is rare, and Dr. Google was not helpful in providing me hope and solutions. I’m tough, but I’m not invincible. I was pretty sure this cancer was going to kill me. Other than beginning to process the situation and read every journal article I could on liposarcomas, I didn’t know what to do next. I needed help, but I wasn’t accustomed to asking for it.?That’s when people in my professional network stepped up to help with a path forward.

When I informed clients that I would be taking an extended medical leave, they immediately responded asking what they could do, to help me. My clients are leaders in the Life Sciences (pharmaceuticals, large molecules, and medical devices)—these were not empty gestures. Clients with a background in radiology offered to walk me through my scans. Medical device clients offered me products to help with pain reduction and recovery. Biotech clients offered to help analyze the genetic profile of the tumor to help find potential solutions. Others sent heart-felt messages and thoughtful care packages.

Clients and colleagues also connected me with top sarcoma specialists all over the country. In speaking with them, I felt some comfort that my tumor wasn’t the largest they had ever seen, and equal discomfort that none could provide very promising overall survival statistics. Then I met Dr. Vijay Trisal at the City of Hope . It didn’t take long for me to realize that he was the doctor for me. He took the time to answer my endless questions, and most importantly, made me feel like I could come out of this a victor. And then I met his colleague, Dr. Kristen Limbach , whose calm and caring demeanor mirrored that of Dr. Trisal’s. Dr. Limbach would later perform most of the surgery. My medical dream team provided me with kindness and patience, coupled with surgical excellence—a combination you rarely see in medicine today. (Pictures of the removed tumor are below).

Now those of you who know me, know I don’t do “down time” well. The lead up to surgery was a flurry of planning, processing, researching, and getting my personal and professional affairs in order. In comparison, limited by my physical capacity, post-surgery was very quiet. And in those quiet moments I was frequently overwhelmed with gratitude for those that helped me when I needed it most. It was that sense of gratitude, together with my reflection on just how meaningful my job is to me, that motivated me to share this here.?

I’m not a fan of the phrase “work-life” balance. Not only does it imply that there is some sweet equilibrium between the two that once attained can provide you with mental health bliss, but it suggests that there are these rigid boundaries that must necessarily exist. For me, these boundaries diminish the multi-faceted aspects that work brings to my life. The connections I have with my clients and colleagues add to my life experience and bring me energy. Being part of teams that bring life-saving technology to the market gives me joy. And experiencing the impact of my client’s work firsthand, reinforced just how significant their contributions are to millions of patients, including me.

When, during my recovery, people asked me whether this experience made me reconsider whether I would live my life differently and take more time to “enjoy life” rather than “work,” the answer was easy.?This isn’t just “work” for me, it’s my community. So, to my community, thank you for caring for me, and thank you for all the help you’ve given me over these past weeks.?

Thank you to those that told me to “just focus on getting better” so I could “get back in business.” Thank you to those that connected me with key opinion leaders and thank you to the key opinion leaders that spoke with me. Thank you to those who responded to my out of office message request for positive energy, healing prayers, and bad jokes, with exactly what was requested. Thank you to those that kept me company or just periodically “checked in” to see how I was recovering. Thank you to my Cooley LLP colleagues, especially the Patent Posse, who took on more than their share of my workload. ?Thank you to Dr. Trisal, Dr. Limbach, and the entire care team at the City of Hope .

Thank you to my family, who took time off work and put their lives on hold to care for me. You made the humiliation of being back in a place where I was not able to tie my own shoes, a whole lot easier to handle. A special thanks to my sister, Maya Fidler , who in the end was the one that connected me with Dr. Trisal. And thank you to my wife, Colette Reiner Mayer , who held my hand through all of this, stayed up with me during my sleepless nights, and took care of me with an unconditional love usually reserved for children and pets. You are the kindest and most patient person I have ever met, and every day I wake up grateful that you are my wife.

I appreciate all the prayers, well-wishes, and positive energy everyone has sent my way. I’m getting stronger every day and am back to work. Please reach out—I’m looking forward to reconnecting!