Sarah Bruck: One Family’s Story

A cancer diagnosis can be an unimaginable experience for those who have never been through it. No two survivor stories are the same, yet they all have common links: unique circumstances around moments of fear, weakness, strength, hope and perseverance.

For Richard and Sarah Bruck, the battle with Sarah's melanoma began only six years ago, yet it seems like a lifetime. Upon Mrs. Bruck's diagnosis of metastasized stage-IV melanoma in 2000, their days switched from a focus on family and career to most days consumed by medical appointments. And although Sarah was the one diagnosed with the disease, her family became, for all intents and purposes, a family with cancer - every bit as consumed by the situation as she was.

"The number of days that Sarah was in the hospital for blood transfusions, surgeries, radiation, and any number of other procedures during the first two years was astronomical," recalled Mr. Bruck. "It built an awareness and closeness with the caregivers and the hospital that is different from just having a sick family member. Being at the hospital every day and all those interactions with the professional staff give you a fine appreciation for the hospital. Our relationship with Hoag went far beyond a normal hospital experience, and during 2000 and 2001 I kind of fell in love with Hoag. You know it does good things for the community, but until you live it every day, and unfortunately have to be a beneficiary of those services, it doesn't really sink in the same."

For the Brucks' daughter, Zoe, the reality of her mom's condition sunk in at an early age. She was only three years old when Sarah was diagnosed. Although they did their best to keep Zoe distanced from seeing all of the lines and machines hooked up to mom, frequent visits inevitably became a scary part of her daily life. Despite Sarah's daunting prognosis, the Brucks did their best to remain positive, with the support - and often times humor - of family and friends.

"I remember talking to my brother in Houston to explain the situation and saying, 'The good news is it hasn't affected any vital organs. The bad news is I have a brain tumor.' There was a long pause on the other end, and then he replied, 'Well, I guess that means for a blonde, the brain is not a vital organ.' It's been a joke in my family ever since."

With the hand they had been dealt seemingly in perspective, there were still a myriad of unforeseen obstacles yet to overcome. The brain tumor meant that, along with the laundry list of treatments she was already having, Sarah would have to undergo a Gamma Knife procedure as well, with a second one later to follow.

After meeting with Radiology Medical Director Michael Brant-Zawadzki, M.D., F.A.C.R., and Christopher Duma, M.D., medical director of Hoag's Gamma Knife Center, this procedure became just another hurdle the Brucks would overcome in their journey.

"It was very comforting…the whole situation. There was such a downplay of danger," explained Mrs. Bruck. "He (Dr. Brant-Zawadzki) was so gentle about it that I didn't even realize that he was telling me I had something that was potentially life threatening. I didn't process it as that, so it wasn't scary."

"Mike [Brant-Zawadzki] was particularly responsive to our personal and human needs, and I think he deserves high accolades," explained Mr. Bruck. "He's a brilliant radiologist, but as a person he's an extremely compassionate physician."

The Brucks' experience with Dr. Duma was also extremely positive.

"Dr. Duma and the staff are awesome," said Sarah. "The nurses are just phenomenal, and you know that he's (Dr. Duma) going to run his medical practice - on me - with the same attention to detail, and care and concern as he shows in how he administers the medical team. That matters to me; that matters a lot."

It is this outstanding care that led Richard to join in the mission of the Choose Nursing, Choose Hoag committee.

"The nurses in the oncology department were particularly impressive to me," cited Mr. Bruck. "I watched them under the most difficult circumstances, and that's the catalyst that really made me join Choose Nursing, Choose Hoag."

"But it wasn't just the oncology nurses or surgical nurses. The quality of nursing at Hoag was omnipresent - every department gave superlative care. Having been to a number of different facilities, and observing firsthand the difference in patient care from the nurses…as soon as Sarah got well enough, I said, 'What can I do?'"

Since that time, Mr. Bruck has utilized his business contacts and knowledge of medical technology through his background in the industry to do his part to help, and is pleased to see the fruits of his labor.

"When I go to the hospital and see that people are getting quality health care, that's the reward I get," explained Mr. Bruck. "I don't know what greater joy there is than to see people healthfully reviving and restarting their lives after a devastating illness. I walked out of there every day saying, 'Thank God for Hoag, because they're giving these people life.'"

And after making it through to the wake of the storm, and beating cancer, the Brucks found their way to make peace with it; Zoe included. They were able to bridge the gap of fear for their daughter through Hoag's art therapy program.

After her first session of art therapy with her mom, Zoe sighed, "Well, mom, my dreams came true. I finally feel at ease now."

And so it can be said for the entire Bruck family.