”Thunder and Lightening” ….. quite a bit of it this weekend and week. When Clement Moore penned the beloved poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” December 23, 1823, He did so anonymously in a Troy, NY newspaper, since it was too frivolous for his professorship. He never suspected that 200 years later children would gather to hear or read the words, creating magic for another Christmas.
This week many patients are breathing a sigh of relief as they “Made it to the holiday”. Just when we think nothing is in our control, we are reminded that our personal strength lies deep within.
Sam wants nothing to do with cancer or the holiday. “ Doc, I’m old (93), everyone’s gone, I have no family and I am done”. I look him over carefully and draw on another classic, a Dickens character. “ Sam! You are a living breathing Ebenezer Scrooge! I am thrilled to meet you!” And there it is. Just “seeing” Sam brought forth such a twinkle in his eyes that he couldn’t hide the sly smile.
Sam doesn’t have anyone to transport him and since he is in the wheelchair no cab service will take him so, a shock to me, he rode down the street 2.5 miles (with a little flag on top) to the cancer center!
“You’re a tough guy Sam, so I know it’s not fear.” He shakes his head with the Yankee’s cap. “No Doc, I just need a reason. I used be be a good plumber, but I lost a leg, got a crippled spine and couldn’t work. Now you tell me I have cancer. What’s the point ? If I learned anything, it’s to always have a purpose. You are lucky you work.”
Again in room 1 I look past the shiny orb on the pet scan and in my differential diagnosis determine what this curmudgeon needs today. “Sam, if you don’t come to the clinic, then I don’t have a job, so do it for me”. The twinkle returns and I know I am smoozing him. Sam has one tumor but if it grows it will cause alot of pain which we can avoid, if he wishes. We certainly won’t extend his life at this point. Ultimately, and actually surprisingly, he decides that riding down the road to the center is just what he needs this Christmas week.
Sam lifts his head starts to look around at the festive holiday decorations in the hospital. We come up with a plan that as soon as the current storm Donner (thunder) and Blitzen (lightening) is through, he will return for care this week. Instead of the front door, he heads to the elevator to the cafeteria and as I sign the paperwork, I hear him wish everyone a Merry Christmas . The transformation of Scrooge is remarkable. It will be a delight to care for Sam this week. and as the holiday magic approaches, once again offering a Christmas wish: God Bless us everyone!