A surgeon of remarkable skill, courage and charisma
The Age
Saturday June 6, 2009
THIS was a very public dying. Chris O'Brien had accepted its near inevitability some time ago, although he clung to hope, and he didn't mind who knew.He knew what the tumour was doing to his brain. He knew that it is as natural to die as to be born. He was passionate about life - that is why he became a cancer specialist - but accustomed to the idea of death.His life had been very public before the dying set in. He was a regular on RPA, the reality television show about Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. When his malignant brain tumour was diagnosed in November 2006 - the cruellest irony for a head and neck cancer surgeon - he spoke out about it.He accepted his biological nature but, like Fred Hollows, the eye surgeon, went on communicating as long as he could. He had taught people things about living; now he was teaching lessons about dying. He gave an interview to The Age the day before he died, about his being appointed an officer in the Order of Australia, to be announced formally in Monday's honours list. He gave thanks to his family, particularly his wife, Gail, and to the thousands of dedicated people who were not recognised. "I really haven't achieved anything that was worthwhile by myself," he said.The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, flew to Sydney to see him in the RPA a few hours before he died. Now his funeral service will be very public.Mr Rudd announced yesterday that Professor O'Brien's family had accepted his offer of a state funeral for a great Australian. "I believe Chris O'Brien has been a truly exceptional Australian," Mr Rudd said.Professor O'Brien, whom the Prime Minister regarded as a friend, had persuaded him to fund Lifehouse at RPA, the first purpose-built integrated cancer centre in Australia. Professor O'Brien would not allow the Government to name the centre after him. "But it will be an enduring legacy to a great man," Mr Rudd said.Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull praised the way the doctor used his last years to pursue his vision for a world-class centre of cancer research and treatment in Sydney, adding: "Thanks to his advocacy, his charisma, his courage, that dream is being realised."Charlie Teo, the surgeon who operated on his colleague, said Professor O'Brien was "a great gold standard by which doctors judge themselves".Michael Boyer, another colleague, praised Professor O'Brien's surgical skills and ability to sincerely reach out to patients.Professor O'Brien had told The Age: "I'm not frightened of dying. I'm at peace with my situation, I'm not willing it to come quick but it will come soon enough."A person's dignity lies in one's ability to face reality, in all its meaninglessness. Chris O'Brien always looked reality in the face.
© 2009 The Age
