“His pebble continues to make ripples.”
That’s how someone described Leroy’s lasting impression around the cancer center.
It appeared to be true, yet again, when the other day I was reaching out to a particular oncology nurse who guides patients involved in clinical trials. One of her patients will be a participant in an educational video project I’m producing for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.
It has been 7 1/2 years plus 7 days that Leroy died from his colon cancer. We met and were attended to by so many incredible nurses during his treatment time at Hopkins that I can’t remember them all. What I do remember is how gifted and special each one was with their care toward him.
So when the call went in to this particular nurse who will be involved in this project, it was mentioned I would be working with her. There wasn’t a second of hesitation when she responded “I remember Leroy so well.” “I remember Laurie, I’m on my way to meet you.”
When she got to our meeting place, it was hugs and flushed faces and memories of days in the infusion room. It all came flooding back in waves. It was so good to see her again and we exchanged a few stories. I told her it was hard to erase those size 13 footsteps he left behind in these halls of the cancer center.
She’s seen hundreds if not thousands of patients since our days in the chemo room, but some how that pebble continues to generate ripples of memories not to be forgotten.
February 26, 2016 @ 9:23 am
It is often hard to measure the impact one person will have on the life journey of another. But this I know, treating each other with respect, dignity, encouragement and Hope WILL not only make our own journey so much better but the impact a few kind words can help lift another’s spirit. Take but a minute to do a good deed each day. No one needs to see or know except you. Think if each person did this what a different world this would be. I know…..dream on!
Remember the pebble Leroy dropped into his pond. The ripples have never stopped. Laurie has continued to honor his memory by doing good each day at the cancer center. Her pebble dropped into her pond causes ripples far and wide at the cancer center. Talk about a legacy!!! Good will overcome evil and light will push the darkness away.
February 24, 2016 @ 8:08 am
The effect powerful words have are beyond measure….the ripples will just continue to grow. His blog and your continued work have touched so many hearts.
February 22, 2016 @ 8:45 pm
I was driving into work, pump attached, after my first all day infusion, when I heard his podcast. I sat mesmerized as I listened to his thoughts. I went straight in and looked up the site and never missed either the podcast or reading his thoughts after that.
It was his honesty, his frankness at looking at the disease that I listened too. He was my cheering section, when I had so little control over my own body, when I was so unsure as to the outcome, when I was lost in a fog of drugs, when I was tired and scared, his words were there to fan that flicker of hope. His words were there and that mattered.
He did leave a big footprint Laurie, but you’ve left your own too.
I owe you both a nod of graitude and a heartfelt thank you.