FOREWORD

 

On July 20, 2005, eighteen-year-old Kevin Triplett came to the emergency room with shortness of breath and chest pain. His oxygen level was very low, and a chest x-ray showed no air at all on the right side. We knew he had cancer that had spread to his chest, and the logical assumption was that it was growing. There was little doubt in my mind that Kevin was going to die soon, probably within a few days, maybe a few weeks at most. I had a heart-to-heart talk with Kevin and his father, Wayne, about my prediction. It was time to talk about a “Do Not Resuscitate” directive, get affairs in order, and plan a funeral.

 

Kevin lived for another sixteen months. He not only recovered from that episode, but was able to resume much of his normal daily activities for well over a year. It just goes to show how much mystery still remains in medicine. This episode also illustrates Kevin’s fighting spirit and will to live.

What an honor and privilege for me to write this foreword for Wayne Triplett’s book about his son, Kevin. As one of Kevin’s oncologists, I obviously came to know him quite well. I will leave it to you, the reader, to judge the kind of young man he was, based on this book. Wayne’s tribute to his only son is his expression of turning grief into joy. Despite having survived cancer twice himself, Wayne continues to share his faith, his earthly possessions, and his love and compassion for others. Kevin was definitely a chip off the old block.

Perhaps the greatest tribute I can give Kevin is this: In my career, I have known hundreds of patients who have died, many of whom have touched me deeply. Of all those patients, Kevin is one of only two whose pictures hang on my office wall.

Although progress is being made in the fight against cancer, we still have a long way to go. Kevin helped us inch closer to a cure by his willing participation in clinical trials. The knowledge we gain from these trials will help us cure patients in the future.

I implore you to apply the lessons from Kevin’s life and this book. Live life to the fullest, show kindness and compassion, give generously, and turn your grief into joy. Finally, if the opportunity arises, enroll (or encourage a loved one) in a clinical trial. You’ll be helping us inch closer to a cure. Kevin would’ve wanted it that way. 

Thomas W. McLean, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

                                                                          June 2007