Dr. James John Chandler, MD

I too was his resident 1977-82 Amazing teacher

20 years ago, days before my 16th birthday I was rushed to the University HOspital in Princeton with an acute pnemothorax of my right lung. Since an accident had not caused my condition the reason for why I was soo ill was unknown. The doctors admitted me and tried with a chest tube to reinflate my lung but it would not inflate. That evening it was determined that there was something more serious going on and they scheduled me for surgery at 9am the next morning. Dr. Chandler came in to see me early in the morning while they were preparing me for surgery. It was my 16th birthday that day and I was scared that I was going to die. I cried and he let me hug him and he reassured me that I was going to be OK. The surgery took 8 hours and was a total success. I was still on a ventilator but on my way to recovery. The little I remember of that night I do remember Dr. Chandler coming in to my room in a Tux (he was off to an awards banquet) joining the nurses and my mom to sing happy birthday… to me. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks while I recovered and he never missed coming to see me. He visited me even when he was not required to be at the hospital. Dr. Chandler promised me before my surgery that I would live a long life and he would fix what was wrong and he did. 2 years later after physical therapy I joined the Army on a medical waiver B and even with only a lung and a third I was breathing better than those with 2 healthy lungs. It's been 20 years and I run (when I am not lazy) and I am healthy and active with my 3 beautiful kids and I owe it all to Dr. Chandler. God annoited him with the gift to heal not just the body but the spirit and he was obedient to God's call on his life. He treated me as though I mattered to him. He was a gifted surgeon and a wonderful man of whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude. I share my story of this wonderful doctor with my children and everyone I am close to. May his legacy live on in the lives he has saved! God bless Dr. Chandler and his family.