As I was growing up, my heroes were mostly athletes. In the last few turbulent years they’ve been the men and women who gave of themselves unselfishly in our fight for freedom. Today my wife, Patti, and I have many new heroes to personally thank:

1. Our 5-year-old daughter, Catie, who’s recently fought courageously through an appendectomy, a childhood cancer of the kidney by the name of Wilms Tumor, and the beginning of a regimen of chemotherapy treatments, only to resiliently return to her kindergarten class three weeks after the surgery to remove her kidney and the tumor.

2. The best pediatrician in the world in our eyes, Dr. Gerald Berkman of Westlake Village, who did not sleep well during the three days following the appendectomy as our Catie had an unexplained fever. He suggested the CT scan that would find that there was a mass on her kidney; he transferred Catie to UCLA Medical Center; he drove to UCLA at 11 p.m. in the pouring-down rain to personally give us the results of a negative spinal tap; he called so often to check up on Catie that the nurses were always expecting his voice on the other end of the line; he told us that she and we would get through this; he came through on his promise to always do what is best for our children. If you’re having a child in the near future, I suggest you interview Dr. Berkman.

3. The surgeons, nurses, oncologists, healthcare workers and playroom volunteers at UCLA Medical Center who cared for Catie and our family with skillful professionalism. We were presented with the most brilliant medical genius in this nation to make our daughter well and comfort her and the family. I think I’m getting old: most of these doctors and nurses could have auditioned for a new Doogie Howser TV drama series.

The experience renewed my faith in the advancement of youth, education and technology in this great country.

4. The wonderful support group of friends in Thousand Oaks. They all came together to offer their prayers, thoughts and kind generosity in our time of need. A special thank you to all the staff and parents of Weathersfield Elementary School, the staff and parents at Horizon Hills Parenting Program, friends at Body Focus Health Club, our Zenith Avenue friends and all of the countless others who participated in prayer chains across the country.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, and God bless you all. You are all our new heroes.

Kelly, Patti, Casie

and Catie Trotter

Thousand Oaks