Today my husband and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary!! So I thought it a perfect week to share this sweet story with you. Rebecca was a patient for ten years. The joy of caring for people over that time is forming real relationships. She asked to see me when I covered my former practice and I was so delighted to catch up. Rebecca was treated for two different cancers during that time. Her dutiful husband brought her everyday. He was retired military. Unfortunately COVID took his life over 3 years ago before the vaccines. I was still caring for Rebecca then. “I don’t know who I am without him.” They were married for thirty years and did not have children.
Rebecca had a recent scan to review and wanted to discuss with me. “Doc, I never thought I could survive cancer twice and the loss of my husband was crushing. My brother and sister have their own families and live in Michigan. I thought about moving there but at least I have friends here. ” She stayed in Florida and was introduced to Jim by a friend. “He is a wonderful man, but since he lost his wife to heart disease, I can’t saddle him with my history, so I thought I would see you”.
I am piecing this together and finally get it. “Where is Jim now?” Turns out he is in the waiting room so I summon him into exam room 1. “Jim, nice to meet you. I think Rebecca has come to ask my permission and so I will say that I have good news and good news, which one do you want first?” He chuckles, “I’ll take the good news”. Relief starts to flood the room. “Well this lovely lady has a new pet scan and it is completely normal. She is doing amazingly well, I am thrilled to report”. Rebecca beams and Jim looks at her adoringly. (Don’t I have the best front row seat?) “What’s the other good news?” he asks. I quickly reply, “You need to buy a ring”.
Rebecca is faced with what I see so often. As seniors, couple hood isn’t about raising a family and charting careers, it is now enjoying life while caring for each other. The “sickness and health” part becomes very very real. By the end of the visit, Rebecca is showing me pics of his family of four children. “I never had a family, now I am thrilled to move into Jim’s and “we” will have a baby (grandchild) soon.” They are all in Florida and so the tight knit group will surround Rebecca and I am delighted for them. She will be a loving and wonderful addition and I see how happy and devoted Jim is. I also realize this visit was for her own peace of mind, not his.
Rebecca did not need a clear scan to find love and happiness. She was fortunate that they will have some time without drama to enjoy this family. For others, many meet and grow together through this new dynamic. If you have fought cancer, you have the fearless spirit to believe that all things are possible. Even happiness at all ages and for all times.
With love and devotion, Happy Anniversary to my husband, Ed….from this day forward.