I am writing in response to the two letters concerning doctors leaving the Kootenai Cancer Center; letters written by Robert Guenther and Donna Favor. I fully understand the frustrations that a husband and wife deal with when their trusted doctor moves on; my wife and I have also felt that.

You see back in 2001 I finally received a much requested colonoscopy; which I was denied when living in Arizona. While in the short stay recovery I remember my G.I. doctor telling the nurse that I was not to leave short stay until I had an appointment set with a surgeon; I needed to have a portion of my colon removed because a cancerous polyp had been found.

The surgery was successful or so they thought. Six months later a 4cm tumor was found in my liver. This was devastating news; here I was new to the area and didn't know many in the medical field. I was introduced to my oncologist Dr. Grosset. His first words to me was an apology, he was sorry they didn't find the tumor sooner; but how could they have it wasn't even the size of a pin head at the time.

With this diagnosis I was told I had a 5 percent chance of surviving six months; that was July 2002. Over the course of the next 6 years I developed a trust not only in Dr. Grosset but also with the office and nursing staff at the then, North Idaho Cancer Center. Toward the end of the 6 years I began hearing rumors that Dr. Grosset was thinking of moving on. I asked him about this and he confirmed he was looking more toward teaching in a university; I was a bit stunned to say the least. He eventually left but returned a few times to wrap up things and on one of those visits I had the opportunity to take him out to dinner and thank him for his skill and knowledge that has allowed me write this letter today.

I eventually "graduated" from the new Kootenai Cancer center and was told by the nursing staff to only come back bearing treats. I must admit I have failed them in that request.

When I read Donna's letter she mentioned that wherever Dr. Samuels goes that hospital or community will be greatly blessed by his knowledge and skills; the same goes for Dr. Grosset as well. But the cancer center is not closing its doors; there are many other doctors who will come here and serve this community. I'm sure the doctors who come here from other communities are missed by their previous patients, just as the many, "Dr. Samuels" are missed by us when they leave here.

Now here's my question, what is the stabilizing factor in these comings and goings of doctors? Give up? It's the office staff; the nurses, CNAs and technicians. For the most part they are still here. As I look back I saw more of these people than I did Dr. Grosset. The nurses know their patients and encourage them to keep fighting the fight and never give up. Believe me there were times when it didn't seem worth it but I believe the medical staff who were familiar with my case could sense when I was down and would do what they could to lift me back up. The nurses keep the doctors informed of any changes in their patients.

So this letter goes out to all the "other" members at the Kootenai Cancer center with a big THANK YOU for what you did for me and many others. Doctors come and doctors go but the staff remains and for that I am grateful beyond measure.

Larry Barnes of Coeur d'Alene has been cancer free since 2008, and hopes to remain so.