Doctors, Saints, and Secrets - George Lombardi

“I said, 'Let’s get that pacemaker out.' And they looked at me, 'You want it out, you have to take it out.' I said, 'I’ve never done that before.'”

Photo by Jason Falchook

Doctors, Saints, and Secrets

In this hour, a young doctor is whisked halfway across the globe to care for an ailing international religious icon, a daughter discovers her father’s painstakingly kept secret, and an oncologist raised in India describes the way death is handled in his native country. Hosted by The Moth’s Artistic Director, Catherine Burns. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.

Dr. George Lombardi is sent overseas to save the life of the most famous nun of all time.
 
Bliss Broyard learns the hidden facts about her father’s heritage just before he dies.
 
Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee describes the way his grandmother, and his native culture in India, embraced the end of life. 

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Stories in this Episode

16:21
Mission to India

by George Lombardi

A young doctor is whisked halfway across the globe to care for an ailing international religious icon. This story was produced in collaboration with the World Science Festival.

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12:31
A Tale of Two Dinners

by Bliss Broyard

A daughter discovers her father’s painstakingly kept secret.

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12:26
The Letting Go

by Siddhartha Mukherjee

An oncologist struggles with the way death is handled in his country. This story was produced in collaboration with the World Science Festival.

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Extras From This Episode

George Lombardi

George Lombardi Extra

Mother Teresa sent Dr. Lombardi a thank you note for his efforts, and remained in touch for years.

George Lombardi Extra 2

Dr. Lombardi among the sick in Calcutta.

George Lombardi Extra 3

The team of doctors that saved Mother Teresa’s life.

George Lombardi Extra 4

Dr. Lombardi and the Sisters of Charity in Calcutta.

George Lombardi Extra 5

A contemporary article on Dr. Lombardi’s experience. Click through to read.

Bliss Broyard

Listen to more about Bliss’s family and the early days at The Moth in this web-exclusive interview with Catherine Burns.

Bliss Broyard Extra

Bliss, at age 1, with her father Anatole Broyard.

Bliss Broyard Extra 2

Bliss, age 2, and her brother Todd, age 4.

Bliss Broyard Extra 3

Bliss, at age 18, with her father.

Bliss Broyard Extra 4

Three of the five brothers, born in the mid-1800s, from whom the Broyards in the story are descended.

Bliss Broyard Extra 5

The Broyards today, immediately after the second dinner party in the story.

The music in this story