I watched it happen twice today, perfect strangers sharing the cancer experience; talking, exchanging stories, and actually hugging each other when they part to enter an exam room where their doctor will meet them for a appointment.
In the out patient center, an African American man, wearing a mask, bald from his chemo treatments but with a beautiful smile, talking non-stop to his neighbor sitting in the chair next to him. She was a middle-aged, white woman also bald, but wearing a beautiful head scarf tied in a knot at the neck. She returned his smile and easily joined the conversation, sharing stories about her journey and how she’s vowed not to give-in to this disease.
Her nurse burst into the waiting area and called her name. She jumped to her feet, extended her hand but he extended his arms. Two cancer patients, in a big hug, then off to deal with their life changing ordeal.
Then there was the couple in the elevator with me. Just before the doors were about to close, another couple hit the button, the doors opened and now there were 5 of us. The first couple greeted the second so I just assumed they knew each other. And they did, but only because they had arrived at the Cancer Center at the same time today and had taken the same elevator up to the lobby and in to the waiting area. Now, they were leaving at the same time. The conversation was one that cancer patients would understand. “How was your appointment?” “How was treatment?” “Feeling OK?” Elevator doors open, “Drive safely home.”
Making a connection. Feeling a connection. Making friends.
September 18, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
Others may have read about this, but there was a recent article in which two groups of people were each given about the equivalent of $25 month. One group were required to spend it on themselves and the other group was required to use it to give someone something. The group that gave were reported to be much happier. I firmly this believe this is true and a hug is certainly a gift!
September 15, 2017 @ 9:29 am
You do become another kind of family…
September 15, 2017 @ 9:26 am
Laurie, Thank you for all your thoughtful comments. I can attest to the way life is after one of a couple is gone. Learning to be “one” again is hard! And relating to couples is doubly hard.
September 15, 2017 @ 7:20 am
It’s like a new extended family. There are several of us who have our treatments at the same time each week. Can’t say that I look forward to the chemo, but I do look forward to seeing my “sisters” and the hugs. Reassurance!