Kids & Family
Cary Prague: South Windsor's 'Superman'
Long-term public servant's devotion to community helps in fight against malignant brain tumor.
South Windsor Town Councilor Cary Prague is the only person whom I’ve ever met who has described having an aggressive, malignant brain tumor as “a minor annoyance.”
Indeed, Prague, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2011, was back to work at TicketNetwork just three days (!) after having the tumor surgically removed in January 2012.
Unfortunately, Prague had a recurrence of the tumor this past April. He had surgery, through one of his eyes, on April 28.Naturally, he took a lot of time off from his work and duties on the Town Council, as well as other organizations like Rotary.
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Which begs the question: why did he take nearly double the time off after the second surgery as he did the first?
Forgive the inappropriate humor, but it’s the kind of joke that Prague loves (as anyone who has been on the receiving end of one of his infamous early morning e-mails would know).This is the same person who held a “Brainiversary” this past December to mark the anniversary of his diagnosis.
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It’s gotten him the nickname “Superman” at Hartford Hospital, and the admiration of the people who know him.
“I don’t know how he came back so quickly from what he’s going through,” Town Councilor Cindy Beaulieu said. “I’m just in awe.”Mayor Tom Delnicki agreed.
Still, Prague says that he’s also putting on a brave face.
“I like to shield [my family] from what I’m going through,” he said. “I only cry in the shower.”How many people do you know who have gone through the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance - all in one day?
“I asked, ‘Why me?’ Then I quickly said, ‘OK, I’ve got cancer. What are you going to do about it?’” he said. “It’s silly to give up and die. It’s selfish; you don’t consider your family or friends.”
Prague said he received 200 cards from people, which “gave me a lot of lift.”Friends, too, have stepped in to help out Prague, who, for years, has given to the community in various ways, such as Rotary, starting the South Windsor Spelling Bee and in local politics.
Town Councilor Jan Snyder accompanied Prague's wife, Karen, to the first surgery with Karen's sister. Karen was accompanied by Herb and Betty Asplund and Barbra Barbour for the second surgery. Roseanne Sapula has been to nearly every one of his 13 MRIs.
“He always did for other people,” Asplund said. “People ask him to do things and he would do them. This is the one time he asked anyone to do anything for him. …
“I rub his head. There’s a magic to me rubbing his head that everything is going to be OK. We do it in public. We just do it. He is able to surmount the challenges and believe himself to be the ultimate survivor. And he will do whatever is necessary to achieve that end. You see it over [last] weekend, when he was putting up signs for the Strawberry Fest. It’s no big deal; this is what he does. He will survive this.”Asplund, too, can’t help but poke a little fun at Prague, imitating the sound of an MRI machine when they get to the hospital.
But then Asplund turned serious when asked what it’s like to serve in that capacity for Prague.
“I love the guy,” he said. “I absolutely love the guy. He looks to me for support. He so important to me … that I would give him more support than he would ever ask for.”It’s the support from people like Asplund that has also led Prague to let his guard down a little.
“So many people have offered their help and support,” he said. “It makes me overwhelmed with good feelings. You learn who your friends are and who the pretenders are.”The experience has changed him.
“I’ve always given back; I’ve never said ‘No,’” Prague said. “I have less time on my hands. I’ve had to say ‘No.’”He also admitted that he appreciates his family more. Karen Prague, Cary's wife, has bravely accompanied Cary to his surgeries.
Prague has written books, been the keynote speaker at software conferences and worked at some of the largest companies in the state.
And when all is said and done, and the jokes are all told, Prague acknowledges that there is a good chance that the tumor could come back again.
But if there is a recurrence, he’ll do what he has in the past.“I’ve divorced myself from the situation,” he said. “It’s like it’s in the third person. Someone else has it and I treat it. I got myself another year. The doctor says if it comes back, he’ll continue to take it out. ... There's always hope.”
And, as Delnicki said, there are plenty of people in Prague’s corner.
“There’s a lot of people pulling for him,” Delnicki said. “A lot of people are praying for him. Our prayers have been answered, now we just have to pray a little a harder.”
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