Dear Dianna and Kari~ Please accept my deepest sympathies at the loss of your daddy, and the most compassionate Dr. I have ever known. How blessed you must feel to have had sure a wonderful man as your father. I first set eyes on your dad in May of 1997, on a local news station. It was a morning show that discussed health issues, and he was talking about intractable pain management and the lack of proper treatment. As I listened to him, your dad discribed my husband to a tee, and all the things he had been through to receive relief from a failed back surgery. I called the news station to track Dr. Rose down, hoping against hope, that he would see my husband Michael. When I called his office, Gloria answered. She told me that your dad was not taking new patients. She said his load was overwhelming already. I broke down in tears on the phone, and explained why I was calling. She listened; bless her, and when I was finished, she quitely said; " It never hurts to write a letter." So a letter I wrote. I documented all of Mikes experiences, including hospitals and Dr.'s names, and the dates of all the contacts. To my complete amazement and delight, your dad called me on a Saterday evening. He said I was a "darn good letter writer", and would we be able to meet him in his office Sunday after church. This is how our patient/Dr. relationship started and grew to so much more. Harvey educated us both on pain management. He inlisted me as an activist 'letter writer' for proper pain management. He put my talents to work and my first letter was to Senitor Green. Dr. Rose was especially interested in detailing Michael's horrific experience at U.C.Davis. He used that in his arguments about U.C.Davis being on the cutting edge of pain management in the fight for the pain patients bill of rights. I asked Harvey to be my Dr. also, as I had been seeing a rheumatologist for 3 years for Forestier's Disease, spondylosis, and fibromyalgia. This Dr. did not believe in treating patients with a triple script medication, so Dr. Rose taught me the proper defense in argumenting for my rights, but the Rheum. would not budge. Dr. Rose asked me if I had the courage to sue for those rights, and accepted the answer that I had little fight left in me after the ordeal with my husbands medical malpractice suit. Your dad graciously took me under his care also, with no condemnation. I looked forward to my visits to Dr. Roses office. We live an hour away in Lodi, so he would make sure the trips to the office were 'as needed', for proper documentation. He was so thoughtful of our meger income, and charged me very little for the visits, as I have no insurance. I never left his office before pinning him down for a big hug, and a grateful thank-you. Over the years, I know he looked forward to those hugs as much as I did. Your dads office was in need of updated machinery and I use to daydream of "If I won the Lotto, (which I don't play), the first thing I'd do is replace all his old stuff." But, I don't think he would have wanted that. His office walls were always a source of entertainment while waiting for my visit to begin. While in the room, if he walked by and saw me, he would run in with an artical and say; "I want you to read this". We would discuss it before my exam started. I miss that. I miss him. God knows how much we all miss our Dr. Rose. He served so many, so long, so faithfully; with little thought of his own needs. thank-you Dianna for giving us an opportunity to share how special your dad was to us. Your dad incouraged me many times to write. When I began to write poetry, his incouragement to continue, was so uplifting. I'd like to end this memorial with the poem I wrote to him. God bless you both. He is a big God. The great Comforter and Healer. May you rest in Him as you walk through this valley. Most Sincerely and Affectionatly~ Diane and Michael Woodward Lodi, California ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Physician~Gift Every morning... starts the same Five a.m.... in mad'ning pain Alarm goes off, though I'm awake Rocking self, till meds can take Away The cutting edge To move To floor from bed To feel More than pain To live My life again To hope A day will dawn To pray This pain be gone I'm scared to think what I would do If there were not a soul like you Who knows the pain I'm dealing with Dr. Rose~ Physician, Gift... You brave the mass of ignorant power Who'd let me suffer; hour by hour Never-ending... just because Fear of Opiate... and what it does Diane Woodward 3/3/2006