All Encounters Have Meaning
Coincidences, fortuitous meetings, destiny….whatever you want to call it. There are times when you can’t ignore the way things come together or why certain people come into your life.
Deposit Photos
In my case, it’s tied to this wild experience I’m having and how fortunate I’ve been to meet the amazing people who manage my health. And some of these encounters have been truly funny and the best part of this whole experience.
It starts when I initially landed in the hospital. On that first day I met a dynamic, energetic doctor who immediately started communicating with me about what was going on, which was a huge relief. Turns out she knew my general physician so they had already started syncing up and sharing information. And she recommended me to my fabulous oncologist who has been carrying me through this process.
RI is a small state and we have a pretty targeted medical community, so I guess its no surprise that they all had a connection!
I first met my oncologist just before my initial biopsy and was slipping away into that happy place you go when they give you Ativan (pretty cool stuff!). She’s become my main point of contact and is an amazing person, but she’s also part of a team of some rather fabulous doctors at RI Hospital who attended to my progress over the months of treatment. I’ll always appreciate this entire group and feel It’s been a rewarding experience to work with them!
The rockstar nurses of the oncology ward celebrating my last day—we banged the gong!
In the cancer center one day, one of the nurses introduced me to another patient who had just finished his treatments about the same time.
I was in a fog from just finishing a round of meds when Stacy kept asking me if I knew where Ed was. “Who?” “Ed, you know him.” “No, haven’t met him.” “Oh, well you should…” And she proceeded to introduce us, at which point we became fast friends.
This may not have been in her best interest because whenever he’s in the center with me, I laugh more than on any other day. I’m sure it’s a bit disruptive and sometimes we have the nurses, doctor, and other patients all tied up in the same ridiculous conversation we’re having. But how often do you hear people laughing in the cancer center and isn’t it better to spread that energy? As it happens we have the same doctor so a lot of sympathy goes her way for tolerating our nonsense. :-) But by my estimation, this was another one of those amazing “chance meetings” that can happen at the most unlikely of times.
There was a day when I was still in the hospital and having a hard time eating. The kind people who bring your food orders are so patient, but they also take a look to make sure you eat your meals. This one guy took a look and said “you didn’t eat your lunch”. “No, really not appealing, can’t get it down”. “Well, if you eat your supper I’ll bring you something amazing that will make you happy.”
Hmm…..ok, I’ll do it. So I ate what I could of my dinner that night, and turns out this peach of a guy had gone to a bakery on his break that afternoon and got me the most incredible chocolate chip cookie! I could have hugged him. We talked about cooking and food and how much we love it (and how much I missed it).
The moments that come along like that, the people who are generous of their time and concern for you, that’s what can get you through. It’s the average human interaction that makes such a difference. These can come from the most unlikely place but being receptive to the opportunity to engage will give you energy and keep you connected to the world.
It’s in the ordinary that we find the extrordinary.
