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Leadership, Opportunity, Integrity and Cancer

by by Herb and Erna Buller

Profile on: Herb Buller: Co-founder of Midland Concrete Product, Kitchen Craft of Canada and Norcraft Canada.

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Today is a day of celebration for Erna and me. Exactly ten years ago today we were in the Winnipeg Clinic at the ophthalmologist. I had just been subjected to a bunch of tests on my left eye. After looking into my eye with his various instruments including an ultrasound the Doctor gave us his diagnosis.

“You have a large cancerous tumor in your left eye and the only treatment is to remove your eye.”

I was stunned and all I could say was, “I think I’m going to barf,” while Erna asked, “How do you know.” I had the distinct feeling that I would faint if I stood up.

I sat there with the garbage can in my lap as Erna took over the conversation.

The drive home was a blur as I lay in the passenger seat totally shocked. We couldn’t talk--both lost in our own thoughts of impending doom.

A second opinion a few days later confirmed the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma, a tumor at the back of my eye that had to be treated by enucleation, i.e. removal of the eye.

However, we learned that there was another option; radiation, which could not be done in Winnipeg. Within 2 weeks of that black Monday we were in Philadelphia for radiation. The radiation did its work as it slowly fried the tumor. My eye was saved but I lost my vision because the procedure damaged my optic nerve which had been expected.

Before I was discharged from the hospital we had a session with a counselor. I was again my usual jocular self, but she pulled me up short with the words:

“This is not about your eye, this is about your life.  You have melanoma and it can easily metastasize to your brain, your lungs or your liver.  You have to distress..”

Theodore Roosevelt in a speech in Cambridge, England in 1910 said,

“of course a man has to take the advantage of opportunities but the opportunities have to come. If there is not the war, you don’t get the great general; if there is not the great occasion, you don’t get the great statesman; if Lincoln had lived in times of peace, no one would know his name now.”

My life has been filled with opportunities. This was the most challenging one of all.

Frankly, I did not initially see this as an opportunity at all but as time went on and particularly now that I have the privilege to look back, it was a great opportunity and it still is.

TRANSPARENCY WITH EMPLOYEES
I had always believed that a leader should be transparent and should keep the employees informed. Regular meetings were common in our business where we shared the latest news including topics like; profit share, areas that needed improvement and future goals. This was a completely different kind of sharing. It’s easy to share good news but bad news is not what anyone wants to hear especially about the boss. I was encouraged by some of our people to wait until I really knew what was happening.

Erna and I both knew, we had done the reading, we had talked to the right people and we knew how serious my cancer was. However, I knew that if we didn’t share with our people the rumors would be worse than the truth.

At that time we had more than 1000 employees and before we went to Philadelphia for treatment I shared my story. I said to them, “I know that many of you pray and I ask you to pray for me in this time of need.”

Because of my candor people did not avoid me in fact they kept telling me that they were praying and that members of their extended families were praying as well. What a blessing it was for us and still is. The support was overwhelming; To this day people still ask me how my eye is doing. Cancer is not a word people feel comfortable saying.

Many leaders believe that they should be the invincible supermen and they miss the wonderful experience of people caring and that they want to help as much as they can. Leaders do not have all the answers, in fact it is the people in the trenches who know more than anyone else and yet leaders think they are a failure if they admit that they need help to solve a problem.

Since my diagnosis I have had many meaningful encounters with others who had cancer. One of them was already in the advanced stages of this terrible disease. He contacted me after he heard about my cancer. Interestingly I had tried to touch base with him before I knew about my cancer to encourage and pray with him. He had not responded, but now he came to MY rescue.

Another one asked me, “Herb, how did you feel when you found out that you had cancer?” That began a deep time of sharing.

A third one was diagnosed with melanoma in his eye as well. This was highly unusual because cancer of the eye only affects 6 people out of one million. We were able to talk at a very comfortable level about similar treatments and how we were doing.

Four of my cancer buddies have already died and all were younger than I. By the grace of God I was able to help them along in their spiritual pilgrimage. I am confident that I will meet all of them on the good side of the other side some day in the future.

Furthermore I have a special bond with anyone who has or has had cancer. We are a special group.

What a tremendous opportunity my cancer has given me and I am so grateful that I did see this as an opportunity to help others. The proverb:

“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” is certainly true for me.

Five years ago I was a 42% survivor with my type of cancer. Today Erna and I are celebrating 10 years of being cancer free. I continue to be tested every three months and my results continue to be very good. Praise God.

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Do you believe in the power of prayer?  Would you like to know the God that answers these prayers?  Like Herb, you can decide to  follow Jesus Christ and start a relationship with him.  You can start today by praying this prayer.

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be. Amen.

Is it the desire of your heart to make this prayer yours?

If yes, pray now and according to his promise, Jesus Christ will come into your life.

I have a question or comment
about this article or about the Christian faith.

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PART 2 of Herb's story

The Bullers are the Co-founders of Midland Concrete Product, Kitchen Craft of Canada and Norcraft Canada. Midland and Kitchen Craft were sold. Norcraft is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with various locations in the United States under the name of Norcraft Companies. (Herb is the Chairman of the board) The company manufactures kitchen cabinets in 5 plants scattered throughout the US with national distribution.

Herb is also a Board member with Teen Challenge and Family Life Network both located in Winnipeg.

The Bullers have four married boys and as of June 2007 they had 12 grandchildren.

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