A few weeks ago, I went back to Penrose Hospital where I spent a total of 100 nights in 2010 and 2011. I wasn’t going back because I was sick (Praise God). I was going back to drop off a copy of my story, Amazed by His Love. I wasn’t sure who I would find there on the 11th floor of Penrose. It had been almost 8 years since I was last treated for leukemia there. My primary nurse back then was Carolyn and I was hoping she was still around. I asked at the front desk if Nurse Carolyn was still there. The assistant at the desk smiled and said, “Yes, she is still here. She is now the Charge Nurse here on the 11th floor. And she is here today. I’ll go get her.” A few minutes later, Carolyn came up to the front desk to meet me. She recognized me right away and we started recounting the memories of my various stays there on the 11th floor of Penrose. I was amazed at how much she remembered about me and Debbie. She asked why I was there that day. I told Carolyn that I wrote a book on my journey through leukemia and wanted to leave a copy for her. I signed it and handed her a copy of the book, and also expressed my thanks to her and her staff for the great care they gave me back in 2010 and 2011. She couldn’t believe I had written a book on my story and that my stay at Penrose was a significant part of the story. In fact, the cover of the book is a silhouette of me in front of one of the windows in a room on the 11th floor, looking out at Pikes Peak. She was so grateful to hear that I was doing well and that I had given her a copy of the book. At that time, I only had one copy of the book with me. I was going to make some minor changes to one of the chapters (with Kindle Direct Publishing from Amazon, it’s easy to make changes, upload a new version, and that version is what will be printed next when someone orders. All part of the “print on demand” publishing style these days).
I felt bad that I only had one copy. I told Carolyn that I was making some edits and that I would have some more copies in a couple of weeks. And I told her that I would bring a few more copies for other nurses who were still there. She was happy to hear that.
I did make those edits, ordered some more copies, and a couple weeks later went back to Penrose. I had Carolyn’s contact information and arranged to meet her again there on the 11th floor. Carolyn was at the front desk when I came off the elevator. I handed her a couple more copies. And then she shared an emotional story with me. She said that they have a staff meeting each week and each person takes their turn at giving a reflection. Penrose is a Catholic Hospital and a spiritual component is a significant part of their service and care for patients. Carolyn shared that the week before was her turn to lead the reflection. She brought in the copy of my book and also her iPad. At the beginning of the staff meeting, she played Jared Anderson’s song, Amazed. And then she read Jared’s story behind that song which is written as the Afterword at the back of the book. She finished with recounting the memories of my stay at Penrose and that I had written this book, with the Penrose view on the front cover. Carolyn then looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “the room was filled with emotion and deep appreciation for the song and the story.” Then Carolyn said something I will never forget. She said, “nobody comes back.” I was taken back by that statement and asked her what she meant. She went on to explain that the 11th floor is the Oncology floor and there are a lot of critically ill patients there. Many people don’t make it. And if they do make it, they don’t want to come back. They don’t want to come back to a place where they experienced chemo and pain. Carolyn then told me that to have someone come back, and to come back with a story of their journey, meant so much to the medical staff there at Penrose. They were deeply impacted by it.
In that moment of talking with Carolyn, I realized how much these health care workers selflessly provide their life-giving skills every day, often without much thanks from the patient or family members. In fact, they probably hear more complaints than they do of thanks. And I could see the deep impact it made by just saying encouraging words like, “Thank you. I appreciate the care you gave to me. Your talents and skills are valued.” No, you don’t have to write a book to make this kind of impact (smile). It can be done in very small ways. Just saying thank you. Even returning at a later point to shake their hand or give them a hug. Dropping off a card of thanks for the nurses. Or even flowers/chocolates. You can’t imagine what this kind of encouragement and thanks will mean to the medical team. If you or a loved one has been served well by health care providers, try this out and you will experience the overwhelming sense of gratitude they respond with. Be the someone who does come back…to say thank you.
Amazed by His Love,
Terence
