Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February 2001

“A Neurologist Dealing with Cancer and Disability”
The Story Of Chris Newman, M.D.
by Jane E. Bradley, Illinois DDS

Dr. Newman was a young ambitious neurologist whom by 1998 was doing research with a placebo controlled study and with new medications for stroke victims. He was going through a difficult divorce, was in private practice, was planning to get engaged and married. On the morning of 3/8/98 while showering, doing his morning sit-ups and getting ready for work; he noticed a left bilateral loss of vision. He paged his now wife and went to the hospital. At the emergency room, he was put through a long series of tests: CAT scan, angiography, MRI, blood tests, etc. The tests came back with yes, there is something wrong in the back right side of the brain in the occipital area. It looks like a tumor and he went through a stereoscopic biopsy. The initial pathology at the point of biopsy was thought to be not bad. They surgeon felt that the tumor piece did not look too bad. Dr. Newman waited one week for the final pathology. Then he got the call on a Friday night. It was a time and date that he would never forget. The pathology results showed an anaplastic astrocytoma-grade III. He knew that even after resection, this diagnosis carries a poor prognosis of recurrence within 2-5 years and death within 12-18 months. His life was a blur. He had an engagement ring for his now wife and had asked her parents for her hand in marriage. Between them, they had five children, ages 6-12 years of age. He began to think, will I even see my children graduate from middle school little lone high school? The biggest question of all was how could he asked his now wife to marry him and stay by his side through this ordeal? His now wife chose to stay by his side and they were married. Within that first year of marriage, Dr. Newman went through five craniotomies, courses of chemotherapy, having a cath port placed in the back of his head for antibodies. Proteins to fight the cancer were introduced in the cavity of the brain. He had to be isolated for a week because these antibodies were lased with radioactive isotopes to fight the cancer. Within that first year after being diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Newman tried to go back to work three times. He would fall asleep on the first patient. This was in spite of the fact that he was only working three days a week and for only five hours. At this point, he was in denial of his condition. He wanted to provide for his family. In late February 1989, Dr. Newman closed his office. He took his office staff and wife out to eat. By the next Friday, his was in the hospital with viral meningitis. This was due to poor wound healing from compensation of the blood supply because of the radiation. Cerebral spinal fluid was leaking out of the back of his head. He was given IV antibiotic and oral antibiotics to fight the infection. The surgeons wanted to do a muscle flap surgery to increase the blood supply to the brain and head to promote healing. But, they found that the skill flap and dura of the brain were infected. The surgeons didn’t know what to do. They decided to close the incision and wait for six weeks of IV antibiotic therapy. After six months of waiting, the incision finally closed on its own. During this time, Dr. Newman was afraid of dwindling finances, losing his family and the loss of reality and self. He decided to try for disability. Dr. Newman went through a time of depression. He had a loss of his livelihood, a job he loved. He felt worthless, didn’t have anything to offer. He was angry with God each morning because He hadn’t taken him in the night. Disability approved his claim and used 12/98 as the onset date. Dr. Newman couldn’t have health insurance (Medicare) for two years. His personal insurance was pulling out as of year’s end. He reapplied for his onset of disability to be changed. The appeal was frustrating. It was lost on someone’s desk. It took someone in the Regional office to notice. He is now a Medicare beneficiary. Dr. Newman’s current status is one of an individual whom is homebound and can’t drive. His dream of setting up a new stroke center at the local hospital with his wife and having a community out reach is gone. He has just finished his last round of chemotherapy last month. The cancer has been in remission for 2 1/2 years. He is looking at life from a different perspective. He totally enjoys life now as a husband and father. He view life as an opportunity to watch the kids grow up, God willing. Everyday he stops and thanks God for choosing life and for his help. Although Dr. Newman misses practicing medicine, he is thrilled with the progress he has made after being diagnosed with cancer. There is so much to do everyday. He has a great support network of friends and family. He can exercise, can still see to the right by stiffing his head. Dr. Newman stated that we as Disability Examiners have a tremendous charge to help others through the disability process. Remember what they are going through and that it is difficult for them. It is a loss for these individuals and it is a time for understanding. Also, take time to introspect. Look at your own life. Look at what you have and appreciate it. life can turn at any time. Take time for the present, work, yourself, your family, your life and God. When asked about human contact in the disability process, he stated that is was important. But, the most needed in the process is our human touch. Electronic cases would be isolating and cold. Face-to-face interviews are not always viable because of the nature of people’s illnesses.