To put my personal cancer journey into the proper context, here is a brief synopsis about me before I got cancer.
As a kid growing up, we moved around a lot. I was the first one in my immediate family to go to college. Then, while working, I attended graduate school as a part-time MBA student. At that point, I switched to full-time status and went on to get my Ph.D. And I became a professor.
I met my wife—and best friend Linda -- when we were both teenagers at Queens College in NY. We got married after graduating. Linda earned two master’s degrees, one an MBA, while working at a bank. Linda is truly the LOML (love of my life).
Our two grown daughters Jennifer and Stacey, and our sons-in-law Phil and Adam, are our treasures. We are fortunate to have them within driving distance of our home. In one case, within walking distance.
Because we moved around when I was a kid and I had virtually no friends, I set and have attained three main life goals: to marry one woman as my forever partner, to work for one organization for my career, and to live in one house so my own children never were uprooted. Linda will not let me say how long we are married. 
I finished 44 years full-time at Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business [where I still teach part-time as an emeritus professor] until retiring in 2019. And we have lived in our house in Commack, NY since 1977. I have truly hit the trifecta.
We have a number of great friends, some going back to our school days and others gained as married adults. We used to spend time together mostly talking about our families and careers. Now, we always start with the question: How are you feeling? [LOL]
I was quite fortunate to have had a great career. I reached distinguished professor status at Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business, won a teaching award, co-authored two textbooks that used around the world, won a best article commendation, and became a very active blogger. Several of my former students have also become my long-time friends.
I always enjoyed participating in sports, especially jogging, tennis, and gym activities. I actually started lifting weights for the first time in my 50s! Currently, I participate in walking as my main activity.
But not everything has come up roses. It’s how we deal with adversity that matters. When I was sixteen, I broke my collarbone for the third time. As a result, I’ve had an eight-and-a-half-inch screw in my shoulder ever since then. I blew out both of my knees from years of jogging on cement. And shortly before my cancer diagnosis, I ended up with rotator cuff surgery from falling down stairs in my own house.
In 1995, I learned that I had Type 2 diabetes. This led to a significant change in my diet and to my taking regular oral medications. After a few years, insulin was added to my regimen. At first, having diabetes was a downer— until I accepted it, learned that some things are beyond our control, and that the power of positive thinking makes a huge difference in one’s physical AND mental well-being.
Amazingly, I now credit having gotten diabetes as one of my greatest blessings. Because of it, I have gotten a full blood work up (not just A1C) every three months. In January 2015, my regular blood work showed a high score on a Bilirubin test and other blood tests. My endocrinologist immediately set into process all of the steps that have given me an extended life. Most people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed too late to have surgery and usually face an impossible prognosis. That’s why I am lucky EVERY day.
The personal journey from cancer diagnosis to my life today follows next. I pull no punches and unveil some of my most personal recollections. Why? Because if you are afflicted with a serious illness, I am you. And this is how I got through everything. One new chapter updates my journey—and encompasses life in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. A second new chapter deals with my growing involvement with the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
P-L-E-A-S-E feel free to contact me at the following E-mail address: