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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, September 18, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 7, 2004 Cancer fighter hopes to find dog relief He’d like someone to help care for animals while he’s hospitalized By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER � A resident battling leukemia and facing long-term hospitalization has one simple quest: to find some good-hearted souls to care for his beloved canines while he is unable. Bill Gomberg is headed to Portland soon to have his stem cells harvested for a future transplant in hopes of curing his leukemia, which is in remission. Bladder cancer also will require surgery, and the combined hospitalizations may keep him away from home until well into November. Not one to let cancer slow him down, the 66-year-old has set up a personal work station in his room at Providence Medford Medical Center so he can conduct research, network with neighbors who are pitching in to help and organize doctor appointments for his wife, Leslie, who also has health concerns. But he worries about Leslie and his dogs during his coming absence. Leslie is recovering from a recent car accident and is unable to keep up with the couple’s three dogs — Bella, Bessie and Wolfie — on a regular basis. Advertisement "I’m not trying to throw myself on anybody’s pity. It’s just a statement of fact," he said Friday. "I’m trying to find somebody whom we can count on, and without family around it’s difficult. It’s not an issue of providing anything but time. I want very much to find a way to keep my wife from struggling with all this." Gomberg hopes to find someone who will visit his home two or three times a day to feed and water the dogs and let them outside for a romp. Providence case manager Linda Cail said Gomberg has been tireless in his efforts to minimize stress to his wife during his hospital stays. "He’s really remarkable. He’s online and on the phone all day. He brings a lot of energy with him," said Cail. "He’s very worried for his animals and he won’t have peace of mind to undergo this big ordeal until he has some type of coverage in place." Bella is a 4-year-old Tibetan mastiff, large in stature and in personality; Bessie is a 9-year-old flat-coated spaniel; and Wolfie is a 9-year-old dachshund with back troubles and difficulty walking. Friend and neighbor Hyiah Reder said neighbors have been pitching in since Gomberg’s diagnosis, but they could use some backup where the dogs are concerned. "They need somebody who’s animal wise, who understands animal behaviors, is sensitive and affectionate and physical enough with good enough reflexes to notice when the big dog wants to take a trip," Reder said with a laugh. "These are all great dogs, very, very personable — but there’s also a sadness about them. They know what’s going on." Reder said the Gombergs, known for spaying or neutering and providing food and water for neighborhood stray cats, would be first in line to help someone else in need. "The neighbors are helping out where possible � maybe someone could pitch in by shifts ... The dogs are what’s been keeping them going," she said. For more information or to offer assistance, contact Reder by e-mail, [email protected] or by calling 582-1445. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities