Dr. Tae Park was the Radiation Oncologist 
Dr Eva Chalas Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stony Brook University Hospital
About 6 months after she arrived in US in 1991 she was bleeding heavily. As a Grad student I had health insurance, Chandra didnt. Finally one day we turned into the Emergency Ward of Stony Brook, University Hospital about quarter mile from the Grad Housing where we lived. The Emergency doctors took one look at her and rushed her as In Patient. Late told me if we had been a another day or two later she would have died. Diagnosed with Late Stage II Cervical Cancer
Chandra was in and out of the hospital for two years, Chemo and Radiation. Platino Chemo was brand new and were asked to if would like to try the experimental. Agreed and signed a waiver.
Marie Dr, Parks Secretary
Dr. Tae Park was the Radiation Oncologist
I was finishing my Masters Thesis and the Marince Sciences Research Center was just across the Hospital via foot path. I would go write my thesis and come back to take Chandra around for tests etc. Often I would sleep in the chair. Eat the hospital food which intended for Chandra which was quite good for me. Chandra could barely eat because of Chemo. One thing Chandra never complained, just had a smile. The perfect patient.
Map of Uni Hospital, Grad Student Apartments and Research Center
Some anecdotes
a) The first few days I used to translate to and from Dr. Eva Chalas to Chandra. Third day she realized I was just repeating in simple English to Chandra. Chandra was replying in non grammatical English. End of my translator role.
b) Chandra's hair was very sparse and thin. After Chemo became thick and curly
c) We were both immune to poison Ivy Allergy. There was big wetlands and Tidal Marsh at Flax Pond that was part of Marine Sciences. A short cut was thru an old mansion (Childs Mansion), which had poison Ivy. Other students warned us, but we did not bother as we were not allergic. Tested out on other Sri Lankans too when they visited. They too were not allergic. The chemical that gives an allegic reaction is Urushiol which is also present in Cashew which is quite abundant in SL. So I guess Lankans develop immunity to urushiol.
After Chemo Chandra became severely allergic to Poison Ivy. She had lost her immunity
Sandeep Mody and parents on Flax Pond Bridge
d) Money: Initially only I had Health Insurance thru the Grad Student Union. After about 4 months after Chandra was hospitalized the Grad Student Union allowd spouses too to have Health Insurance. However, there was a bill for about USD 100,000. Luckily NY State had a program where you paid only a percentage based on income. It was 5% (USD 5,000) which I paid at USD 50/month
e) As I was writing mt thesis, there was no Stipend. The fellow grad students, faculty and various church group to which fellow students belonged collected money. That paid rent for more than 4 months. I had a list of names, lost when my computer was stolen.
Chandra was certified Cancer free in 1996. She live 20+ years and passed because of a stroke.
