"I surrender"

Melanie wrote a breathtaking piece about a miraculous cancer recovery in today's paper. I'm sure you all read it. I thought I'd share it here anyway, just in case any of you missed it.

I love the way the story develops, progressing with Karen, allowing the reader to take part in her decision to refuse further treatment--something which makes the revelation of her remission all the more powerful for the reader. Well written!

Surrender, followed by a miracle
By MELANIE CONKLIN
608-252-6187
mconklin@madison.com

So in 2005, she sat in the Sauk City office of her primary physician, Dr. Tim Bartholow, and told him of a pivotal decision. She wanted to refuse further treatment.

"I didn’t see the point in all these scans and diagnostic work when there’s no remedy," Dennis recalled. "There’s anxiety that accompanies all this testing — not only for me, but for my family and friends. I told Tim, I’m feeling pretty good right now, and I just want to be that way for as long as I can."

Then she asked the doctor she had grown to deeply trust: "Do you think I’m crazy?"
Bartholow was silent for a very long time.

"No," he finally replied. "I think you’re wise."

He grabbed a piece of paper and wrote this prescription: "You have my permission not to accept your diagnosis. You have my permission not to accept your prognosis. Go celebrate the miracles in your life."

So she walked away from the cancer that had dominated her life for 13 years.

Maybe Melanie can talk about this story at the next writers meeting?

Story endings

I thought we could talk about story endings (and whatever else people want to talk about) at our next writers' group lunch at noon in the board room on March 25. I liked the endings of these three recent articles in our paper. Maybe you have seen others in the WSJ or elsewhere you want to share? Also, I have a confession: I think I rely on quote endings too much. But they're so easy; how to get around this? Any suggestions?

(By the way, I'm testing out Nick's new, easy way to post blog entries. We'll see if it works…)

Chris Martell:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/443075

Deb Ziff:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/top/441562

Karen Rivedal:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/440697

David

Sensitively exploring a school's struggles

Coverage by Doug Erickson:

Queen of Peace principal Bolser's illness challenges students and staff

Last January, Steve Bolser, the principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Madison, brought in a guest speaker to train staff on how best to help children cope with illness and death.

At the time, fifth-grader Rumer Thomas was in the final stages of brain cancer, and Bolser wanted teachers to be prepared for the difficult questions that were sure to follow.

The full value of the training session soon became evident. Twelve days after Rumer's Feb. 29 death, Bolser suddenly fell ill and was found to have a cancerous brain tumor — the same diagnosis that Rumer earlier had received.

Short stories done right

We discussed this well-crafted obituary by George Hesselberg at our session on Nov. 25:

MADISON WOMAN WAS PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL LEADER REBECCA YOUNG: 1934-2008

From Wisconsin State Journal, Wed Nov 19 2008

Rebecca Young, an approachable icon of achievement and congenial modesty for 30 years in Madison's political landscape, a steady and informed advocate with a welcoming ear for issues involving women, children, transit and the environment, died Tuesday at home of cancer at the age of 74.

She took buses, raised four daughters with her husband, Crawford Young, and kept a breathtaking schedule from the moment she arrived in 1963, starting with the League of Women Voters. She ran for election 12 times, winning every time, including County Board, School Board and seven terms in the state Assembly.