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A Pilot’s Deeply Personal Trip that Encapsulates Life Itself

“Here’s to many more adventures in the cockpit with you.” Pixabay
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A retired surgeon is unexpectedly drawn back into a medical advisory role when his young nephew, Xan, is diagnosed with aggressive metastatic pancreatic cancer.
  • Defying grim odds, Xan undergoes successful treatment and exhibits remarkable resilience, thriving in life by becoming a CrossFit champion, pilot, and father.
  • The narrator and Xan share a deep bond over aviation, which culminates in a memorable private jet flight for Xan and his brother, creating cherished family time amidst Xan's ongoing health journey.
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The phone rang and rang. It was well after 11 p.m. in Tampa, Florida, and I was deeply asleep. Though I had spent 40-plus years as a surgeon and was accustomed to calls at any hour, I thought I was done with all that.

Dick Karl

Dick Karl is a cancer surgeon who appreciates the beauty and science involved in both surgery and flying. Dick’s monthly Gear Up celebrates the human side of flying. He writes about his enthusiasm for both the machines and the people who fly and maintain them.

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