A new friend

This past 2 weeks has had such turmoil and joy, I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about but I had settled on this.

The anxiety and fear had settled on me yesterday.  My head told me to go home, have a glass of wine, soak in a bubble bath and life will look better.  Reality:  I had a youth leaders meeting and I had to go.

My heart told me that I needed to do something completely different.

I turned on some music for the final push to the end of the day, spent sometime organizing a project and praying and in no time my heart was lifted.  As I left work yesterday, instead of heading to my car I went to the oncology ward.

The doors still swing both ways.

I met a man named Claudio, he is the housekeeping staff for our part of the hospital.  He doesn't like his job but he is very, very, very good at what he does.

He wanted me to meet his Sister Patricia.  So, I went up to the 8th floor to visit who was going to become a new friend.  We talked about chemotherapy, radiation, dealing with Drs and nurses, dealing with home life.

She is in the throws of starting chemo, the unknowns, the worry, the frustration of the medical system.  And I know that looking at me, she saw hope.

Not that I am all that, that's not what I am getting at.  She saw 1 year after diagnosis, a healthy, happy, contented, hairy woman.  And she was relieved.

When I left she told me I looked good and I said, you will soon too.

I am hoping to go see her again on Sunday she will be in until Monday.  Patricia, you are in my prayers, God is hears your words, He hears your fears.  He is right there with you.