I never got either one of their names. But I’ll remember them forever. You never forget the angels in your life, especially when they visit you in cancer world.
It was after midnight, Leroy was hanging on to life by a thread. I’d held on to his hand so tightly as the O-R nurses wheeled him closer to the door that would separate us for many hours…maybe even forever. The doctor had been very clear that his chances of coming through this spinal surgery were slim. I didn’t want to let go, but I had to let go, so I kissed him and told him I’d see him when he woke up in recovery.
The floor was pretty much deserted I walked toward the waiting room. It would be a very long night.
I never got her name. She just appeared with warmed blankets and pillows. She told me to get as comfortable as possible and out the door she went. She was angel number one, that night. Some one to take care of me when I really needed it.
Same night, different nurse, or angel. This one was my life-line to the operating room. Like clock-work, she would call me every couple of hours to give me an update on how the surgery was progressing. And when it came time for her shift to end, as the new day dawned, she decided, she couldn’t leave me now…so, she stayed until Leroy was safely on his way to recovery. We met outside the O-R and she put her arms around me like angels do.
Pierse, our oncology nurse, our angel from the first day at the cancer center until, well, she’s still a part of my life. Angels don’t come any better equipped than Pierse.
We meet so many of these angels as we make our way on this cancer journey.
They come in all shapes, sizes and skills. They wear scrubs, they can hang a bag of chemo, change a dressing, they can find a vein, they know when to smile and they know how to take away the worry.
Angels rule!!
April 5, 2011 @ 8:24 pm
Angels ARE everywhere when you live in cancer world. They come in all shapes and sizes and wear many different “uniforms”. Unfortunately most of my angels have names I don’t remember but actions I will never forget. To all the angels in my life…thank you.
April 5, 2011 @ 7:54 pm
I agree..Angels do rule! I have witnessed many instances of angels at work at St. Joseph’s. As my wife was being wheeled from her room to the surgical prep area, one of her nurses made a point to say”I’ll pray for you.” The nurse pushing her bed towards the surgical area stopped to allow us to say our goodbyes and then she said “We have great doctors and nurses here. Now don’t you worry. Remember that God is in charge and everything will be alright.” As I entered the patient waiting area, the volunteer took my name and told me the procedure and gave me a beeper to carry. When I turned to go find a seat, he said “I’ll pray for you and your wife.” This is about 7:30 am in the morning and I am seated nervously watching the clock. At 9:00am a chime came over the speaker and a voice said “Let us take a moment to have a prayer.” And the prayer was uplifting for all of us seated there. I thought to myself…..”the nuns are in charge here and prayers will be said and offered without any, any fear of the ACLU or anyone else.” I felt good that we were in the right place where the angels were all about if we would only listen to their words and observe their deeds.Angels do rule at St. Joseph’s and I am grateful for their presence.