Phoenix resident fights stage 2 bladder cancer with elaborate Halloween displays

David Rabinowitz has been battling bladder cancer since 2016. His disease recently advanced to stage 2, a development he attributes to a recurrence after a brief period of remission. The Phoenix, Maryland resident says the return of the cancer has changed his daily physical reality, forcing him to adapt how he spends his energy and time.

The cancer initially presented as a surface issue. Doctors treated it with a special immunotherapy procedure that lasted a couple of hours. Rabinowitz believed the treatment resolved the problem. After years of routine checkups, the cancer returned and grew more aggressive. He now describes his body as running on fumes, a stark contrast to his past as a blue collar worker who regularly endured 18 hour days.

Rabinowitz reports that his red and white blood cell counts are low, a side effect of his treatment. This reduction in oxygen carrying capacity leaves him fatigued and forgetful. He notes that the loss of his former stamina bothers him deeply. The physical toll of the illness is a constant presence in his routine.

To manage the mental weight of his diagnosis, Rabinowitz turns to his front yard. He constructs an elaborate Halloween display featuring moving figures, lights, and talking characters. He cites a laughing witch and an inflatable pumpkin as central pieces of the setup. The decorations are designed to capture the attention of passing children and their parents.

"I love to watch the kid’s faces," Rabinowitz said. He described the moment when a toddler, often just three or four years old, is carried by a parent and suddenly spots a moving haunted man figure. The figure speaks to the child, saying, "I see you found me." Rabinowitz says witnessing these reactions brings him genuine happiness.

He views the project as a mechanism for staying engaged with life. "It has a lot to do with wanting to stay alive," he said. The process of building and maintaining the displays distracts him from the symptoms of his illness. He rejects the notion of sitting in self pity, stating instead that he is great and happy.

Rabinowitz invites local families to view his yard during the Halloween season. He also encourages residents to return later in the year to see his Christmas display. For him, the effort required to maintain these seasonal decorations is a practical way to keep his mind focused on joy rather than his medical history.