By Mark Wozniak
Buffalo, NY – As many of you know, I have been the local host of this program for many years, and I have been fortunate to be on the WBFO staff since the day Morning Edition began in November 1979. I have tried my best to present the area's news, weather and traffic to you each morning, hopefully in a professional and friendly manner.
But since October 1996, and especially in recent weeks and months, it has been difficult to exclude my personal life from my professional life. During the past eight years, my wife Karen, our 12 year old daughter Carrie, and I have been dealing with the serious illness of our son and brother Alex. He was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on October first, 1996, two weeks before his ninth birthday. We then came to know the health care professionals that would care for Alex, first at Children's Hospital, then at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Not only did we establish physician-patient and doctor-family relationships, but close friendships also evolved with staffers in various clinics and Roswell's pediatric in-patient unit. Many of the residents and interns wore University at Buffalo coats, and I was proud to be associated with them thanks to my employment at WBFO. We met other patients and their families, giving us insights and support on how to deal with leukemia and cancer. We learned more about the field of medicine than we ever expected, as many of the procedures necessary for Alex's care would be done at home. And, we became acquainted with the wonderful folks and service at Camp Good Days and Special Times, which provides fun, activities, and diversions for seriously ill kids and their families.
We were encouraged as Alex quickly went into remission following several weeks of intensive medical therapy. He was able to keep his healthy status through medications and frequent clinic visits, until a relapse in late 1999. This time, Alex underwent stronger chemotherapy, and for the first time, radiation. He lost his hair, and his classmates at Hoover Middle School in Tonawanda held a Crazy Hat Day as a fundraiser in his honor. Again, remission followed, and he remained clean until last fall.
After complaining of pains last September, Alex was diagnosed with another relapse. This time, his doctors said he would need a bone marrow transplant. We were lucky to find a compatible donor right away, and the procedure was performed this past January at Roswell. But the bone marrow transplant required the suppression of Alex's immune system. Dietary restrictions were imposed, and Alex was placed on numerous medications, including steroids, to minimize side effects and infections. He developed steroid-induced diabetes, and Alex quickly adapted to the routine of giving himself insulin injections. And, there were infections and reactions. Alex suffered severe skin rashes and some seizures in April. Medication levels were adjusted, and he recovered.
Through it all, Alex managed to continue excellent school work. He was always an honor student, and his good grades never wavered during his illness. During this past semester, Alex received in-home tutoring because he was not able to attend school. In March, he was inducted in the National Honor Society at Kenmore East High School, and he took Regents exams from his hospital bed in mid-June.
Alex's strength had been sagging in recent weeks because of an apparent infection due to his compromised immune system, and that led to his hospitalization at Roswell. Ironically, in early June, tests showed Alex was in remission, and that the transplant was working. But he continued to weaken, and after suffering seizures, he was transferred to Women's and Children's Hospital intensive care unit. Despite several days of outstanding care, and a belief that he would pull through yet again, this time Alex never regained consciousness, and he passed away on Sunday June 27th.
We extend our thanks to my WBFO family, including Howard Riedel, who was almost always available to fill in, frequently on short notice, so I could take Alex to clinic appointments. News Director Mark Scott gave a moving tribute to Alex on the air three weeks ago. (Mark Scott also spoke at Alex's memorial service on July 2.) That marked the first time many of you heard about Alex's situation. When I returned to work last week, program director Dave Benders handed me a large envelope filled with sympathy cards and notes sent to us at the radio station. We have heard from many listeners, plus WBFO staffers, volunteers, and the WBFO Advisory Board.
Our family has experienced a tremendous outpouring of support in the time since his death, and we are deeply grateful. The most frequent comment has been "we have no words." That's true, there are no words to explain the death of a teenager. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. But illness and death touch everyone at some time or another. The thoughts, cares and gifts of people who have extended best wishes is what sustains us at this time. To those of you who know us well, to those of you who provided medical, emotional, and other assistance over the past eight years, and to those of you who know us only because I read the news to you every morning, thank you for your friendship and kind words. Although I will continue to bring you the stories of war, crime, economic hardships, political pettiness and ineptitude, and injustices that are the day's news, please be assured that in the darkness of grief I have seen the unheralded kindness and goodness of people... you people. That is news that is worth reporting, even though it does not always get heard or read in the media.
Mark Wozniak is the host of "Morning Edition" on WBFO.