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After a five-year struggle, Sinai Hospital's Dr. Lyle Goldman, Ms. Platt's oncologist whom she refers to as her "guardian angel," told her the cancer was in remission. "We had a party, we went out and celebrated and my husband gave me a beautiful gift. It was like a feast, a huge birthday par- ty for all of us," recalls the 35-year- old. She is trained in social work and counsels breast cancer pa- tients on a private basis, and works at Presence II gift shop in Southfield. "I was never alone. That's the beauty of my life." Lila Orbach was never alone during her healing period either, but that's because she couldn't be alone. Ms. Orbach, medical re- porter for WDIV-TV, underwent throat surgery two years ago to remove nodules from her vocal chords. Following the procedure, she wasn't allowed to speak for 30 days. She needed a "spokesperson" and the love of her life, fiance Jeff Lazarus, gladly signed up for the job. 'With a mouth like mine, it was really difficult," laughs the "30- something" reporter. Mr. Lazarus, a Boston-area financial planner, was by her side the whole time. "I couldn't answer the phone, the door, nothing. Jeff became my mouthpiece," recalls the Farm- ington Hills resident. "I couldn't have been silent for a month with- out him sticking by me. He would look into my eyes and know ex- actly what I was thinking." Although the somewhat risky operation has changed Ms. Or- bach's voice, she's one of the most popular health and medicine re- porters in town. "It was scary when I first started losing my voice [before the operation]. My voice is what I make a living with," says Ms. Orbach. The couple plan to marry this June at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. And they'll both be able to say, "I do." Loved ones can provide excel- lent therapy for mental health concerns and depression as well. Dr. Heisler says that a sympa- thetic partner is oftentimes all a person needs to combat turbulent times. Helaine Rodin Keller says that if it weren't for her husband, she never would have gotten through the traumatic experience that en- tered her life six years ago. Ms. Keller's mother died of lung and bone cancer at the age of 65. "To have someone in your life to lean on during that time was really im- portant," recalls Ms. Keller. She says the man she married, Mark Keller, was a sounding board for her. "I talked, com- plained and cried all the time to him," laments Ms. Keller, who co- owns Fitnesse Exercise Co. in Birmingham and is a personal trainer. But it's now her turn to carry her husband through diffi- cult times, she says. Mr. Keller's father passed away unexpected- ly three months ago from pneu- monia. The couple, who live in Bloom- field Hills with their two children, have been married for 15 years and they're proud to say they've been together for 19 years. And along with the bouts of sadness that have crept into their lives, come numerous happy times, too. Mr. Keller, who is the managing director of Basic Goods in Birm- ingham, took his wife to London and Paris in late January to com- memorate her 40th birthday. When cupid's arrow found Richard Blumenstein, he had nev- er before been in a serious rela- tionship. But when he met Carol Stein on a blind date in August 1995, his heart beat with new life. The 31-year-old partner of Dover Development Corporation in Bingham Farms says that since he met his amore, the quality of his life has soared. "Getting involved with some- one keeps you busy and my life is much better," admits Mr. Blu- menstein. So good, in fact, that Mr. Blumenstein proposed to Ms. Stein last year and they're now happily married and living in Bloomfield Township. Thankfully, says Mr. Blumen- stein, they've never had a serious illness since they met, but if one of them does get sick, the pair will be ready. They've had a little prac- tice during a recent family ski trip when the two came down with the flu. "We were knocked for a loop," says Mr. Blumenstein," and it was nice that we were both sick ... to- gether." ❑ Health And Loy? One's kitchen habits can affect one's bedroom bliss. Just ask Dr. David Kirsch, co-owner of Birm- ingham Chiropractic Clinic. Dr. Kirsch believes that whole- some foods and plenty of exercise and early-morning stretches can help to generate healthy bone structures, which can help to strengthen one's sex life. "When people feel balanced, when their bodies feel balanced, they enhance their sexual being," says Dr. Kirsch of Huntington Woods. The good doctor, who says his love life with his wife Sandy is exceptional, munches on a lot of grains, lentils, beans and veggies. 41. - Megan Swayer c-/\