From: Isaac@BeteshRealty.com
11/18/2008 6:24:42 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Health and happiness
“ La Chaim – to Life”
As my daughter Terry recently said “Dad, thanks for working (really more like slaving) for 35 years behind the counter, for me and my brother and sister”. Even then parenting wasn’t easy. I was more fortunate than many, after the basics such as food, clothing, shelter and a Jewish education for the kids I still had some left over for the occasional vacations and pleasant sundries to keep life interesting. All this was done out of a miracle retail store on Madison Avenue. The miracle seeing Hashem’s handy work bringing us customers from off the street, every day and buying our latest novelties cameras and electronic gadgetries. My rule of thumb was to always make sure to pay our staff of eight on time. With high rent and so many expenses that was not such an easy task. With many years of hard work we were able to accumulate a little money to start dabbling in the real estate market. Once again Hashem was steering us to good fortune. Without much effort our miracle retail store became secondary to our real estate business, sort of a place to only hang our hats.
Life was good I was able to make weddings, Sebbets and Bris with all the SY trimmings. My three little ones are now big and have their own thoughts and children to raise.
I’m an admirable exerciser- cycling, tennis and golf (I never do anything before my golf game) but one beautiful sunny day before my golf game I made a routine doctor’s check up. I continued my daily routine of golf in the afternoon which concluded with two weddings that evening. “What a perfect day”, I said to my wife. The next day, without so much of a negative though, I had a meeting at doctor’s office. Then as if a bomb went off I was stung and stunned by what the doctor said, “You have bladder cancer” it wouldn’t register in my mind. Depending when you find it it’s curable / semi-curable or not curable. I could not believe this was happening to me. Not I, it’s always happening to someone else, I thought, not me. How can it be “I’m a good healthy guy” I said, but I also know that “Hashem is my Manager and Boss” His path is not always shown to us. That day and night I spent sobbing in my tears. All plans were canceled. At first I was compelled to keep it a secret, but then I thought I will make it public to tell people to be aware of this deadly disease, to promote people to go for regular checkups (I didn’t) and lastly to accumulate needed prayers, the more prayers the more beneficial. I guess bad news can travel as fast as good news. I could not believe the outpour of compassion, calls from everywhere, not just family and close friends. Emails and more calls from acquaintances from a list of fifty years of friendships and associations. There was nothing my fellow community member wouldn’t do for me. (Thanks for taking me to chemo, Eddie, Charlie and Marvin). One of my greatest joys was on Yom Kippur night when I was given the honor to opening the Hachal for good Health and Parnassa as a gesture of Rafuah Shelma from my shul, Ohel Simcha, (real name – Park Ave Shul). They say the pain dissipates by to one sixtieth with prayer, so far I was blessed with little pain (Although my first round of chemo was no picnic) and that’s after eight rounds to date.
Today is day six after the operation, I have not eaten in six days and have gained 10 lbs, (Some diet huh?), but I am happy. With over 500 phones calls, emails and an abundance of Tehelim readings, I am confident, your prayers, my prayers, will be answered and I am on my way to a full recovery. Although I thank Hashem every day for His hands’ of glory, I cannot forget the others who help me get over my pain and anguish. My friends and acquaintances, too numerous to mentions by name have given me a reality I never knew existed. My dear friend Rabbi Goldwasser, who not only helped me find the right doctors but also sat in on my 8 hour surgery to watch them perform the Robotics Surgery procedure. His organization, Refuah V’Chesed is number one in locating the right doctor for any aliments recovery. At the same time the Bikur Holim team headed by Nancy Sutton was a tremendous helped is getting me started on my road to recovery. Thanks to all their combine efforts. I would be amiss if I did not mention my doctor of Oncology and his team of surgeons, Dr. Douglas Scherr of NY Cornell Presbyterian Hospital for the delicate care and kind words he gave me during my ordeal. Lastly without my dear wife, Rhonda, and her support I don’t know what I would have done not just now, but through out my life. G-d has really blessed me.
What I learned from my ordeal is that we have the most spectacular community in the world. We should honor it by always remembering our Jewish heritage and traditional values of kindness and unity. Lastly very important everyone must get regular checks ups. No “Ifs, ands or buts” to be sure they are healthy. Do not take for granted your health or your family or friends and when you trust in Hashem and have emu nah in Him your troubles will disappear and your life will be a source of great blessing. Don’t get side tracked by small headaches Remember every day really is a gift and should be enjoyed as such.
La Chaim – To Life
Thank you,
Isaac Betesh /908-902-2942
