The Big C, as in Champion

Roger Carlson

Chemotherapy and colon cancer surgery, it doesn’t get any more

serious than that.

So today as Pat Taylor’s boss meets his 7:30 a.m. appointment with a

surgeon at Hoag Hospital it’s pretty understandable that little else is

being considered.

So if you would, would you close your eyes for a few seconds, hold on

to something and say a prayer for her boss?

She’d appreciate it. So would I.

Family members, of course, will be nearby. And, well, it’s Hoag, so

you know you’re in the lead on the scoreboard before it starts.

But for Pat, she’ll be where she always is, at her desk, answering

phones, tinkering around like most secretaries, who daily seem to run

around and clean up the mess strewn by others. Waiting for the news by

telephone.

Sons Scott, Jeff and Michael are in Florida, Reno and Orange, which is

another factor which brings her closer to a workplace which is described

as “Interesting, never a dull moment and we laugh a lot.”

A resident of Corona del Mar with secretarial background at a lumber

company, the Newport-Mesa School District and Disneyland, she’s far from

a public figure.

We have them here, everybody does, I guess. They are the hard drives.

The keys to the system. But seldom visible beyond the workplace. I think

they like it that way.

The daily routine begins before 8 a.m., and today’s no exception.

Much of the routine revolves around the telephone. The boss has never

cared much for answering gizmos, and as news filters in, she’ll act as

the conduit for an anticipated flood of inquiries.

“We’ll all be thinking about him,” was her reaction to the moment

It is but one more chapter in a 10-year association with myriad

activities and endeavors.

“I remember when I was here for only about three days and he told me,

‘Get President Ford.’ ”

“I said, ‘OK, could you give me a clue,’ ” said Pat, chuckling over

the response: “You could start with the rolodex.”.

Today’s surgery has been preceded by difficult months, but there are

residuals.

“I hate what he’s had to go through, but it has been quite an

inspiration and learning experience,” she continued. “We’ve sort of taken

the lead from him. His courage, grace and humor. It’s been business as

usual.

“Even during the worst of treatments. It has never changed. Very

remarkable.”

At some point today you would hope Pat’s nerves would be soothed a

little, and that good news has answered the prayers of so many. I know

there’ll be a lot of them. Her boss is Paul Salata.