Letter to the editor from today's News Sentinel...
It was sad when Johnny Cash passed away. During my residency at Loma Linda University, I had the honor of providing his anesthetic care on two occasions.
The first operation he had was in December 1990. Without any fanfare or publicity, he and June Carter Cash found a guitar and on the night before his surgery went down to our pediatric ward to sing Christmas carols to the children.
It was so obvious that he and June genuinely loved each other. He told me she was a prayer warrior who never left his side. They were so kind to all the staff and never failed to thank us for anything we did. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first met them, but they instantly put you at ease.
I know many of their fans would have liked to have met them personally. Take it from someone who did: They were the true article in every way.
JOSEPH W. BONDRANKO JR., M.D.
Methodist Medical Center
Anesthesia Group
Oak Ridge
The first operation he had was in December 1990. Without any fanfare or publicity, he and June Carter Cash found a guitar and on the night before his surgery went down to our pediatric ward to sing Christmas carols to the children.
It was so obvious that he and June genuinely loved each other. He told me she was a prayer warrior who never left his side. They were so kind to all the staff and never failed to thank us for anything we did. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first met them, but they instantly put you at ease.
I know many of their fans would have liked to have met them personally. Take it from someone who did: They were the true article in every way.
JOSEPH W. BONDRANKO JR., M.D.
Methodist Medical Center
Anesthesia Group
Oak Ridge