A VALLEY GIRL, A FISHERMAN, A DOCTOR AND A PREACHER WALK INTO A CANCER CENTER

 

It was Wednesday at 8:32 am. I was feeling better than I had since the diagnosis, or in years, really. So I made the call. And booked it. Two glorious nights staying at my favorite Charleston, SC downtown hotel, The Charleston Place, the week before Christmas.

Many years ago, I won a local cooking competition, and one of the prizes was staying at a B&B in Charleston (which unfortunately closed down during COVID) and a dinner at the Charleston Grill at The Charleston Place. It was an incredible time and the start of our love affair with Charleston.

But this trip was different. This trip reminded me again of just how wonderful people can be and that we are loved, even by strangers.

When I think about my cancer journey, I often can't believe how God's divine providence has helped me make it through. Even in the face of tragedy, God's timing and His plan from before I was even born still amaze me.

I was adopted into a Christian household at the age of one month, and little did anyone know that my having a brother who is a doctor and a brother who is a pastor would make such a profound difference in my journey. I've got the most important things that I need. Spiritual direction from one brother. And the knowledge and care when it comes to all things medical from my other brother. He even specialized in palliative care and the elderly, so he really knows how to be there for me through this all. Plus, both with a compassion and understanding that have made all the difference.

They've shown up for me. They've gone to the appointments at the cancer center and spent countless hours discussing treatments, the effectiveness, and even if I'd do them (remember I denied chemo in the beginning). And they've checked on me throughout with calls and visits after my treatments and CT scans and now they will be here for me in this next step of my Enhertu chemo treatment.

They supported me 100% in my decisions, something that I've found is not so common in the cancer community.

I've also been blessed beyond belief to have the love and support of my husband (who is the "Fisherman" above- more on that another time). He has been there for me day in and day out since the diagnosis in February. I'll never forget when he came to the hospital after I got the news. No visitors allowed overnight? Thankfully, the nurses didn't even bat an eye and even cared for him, in a sense, as a "patient" after such earth-shattering news.

It wasn't even a question if he'd stay with me and remain by my side... for days as I healed. He didn't leave the room except to get some food here and there from the cafeteria and even slept in that rickety old recliner by my bed in the hospital room. And believe me, those days felt like months.

So what do you do if you are going through cancer or any difficult health issue and you don't have a support system?

Reach out.

Reach out to your neighbors. Reach out to your church. Reach out to people you see weekly at the grocery store or other places that you frequent. Let them know your story; you'll be amazed at the support you could get from people you don't even know well.

And mainly, reach out to God. Let Him in. Talk to Him about what you are feeling. He truly cares for you and all you are going through in both good and bad times.

Make it a two-way street with people and show them that you care about them as much as you do because all of us mainly want to feel connected, accepted and loved. People want to help. They truly do, which brings me back to my Charleston story.

Upon arrival, I mentioned how this was a very important trip. And for some reason, the bellman had mentioned to my husband what a strong lady I was, which was kind of an unusual comment out of nowhere. My husband said, "You have no idea how strong," as I started to tear up a bit. I confirmed it was a trip of a lifetime, and it was.

The girl that was checking us in asked what was so special about this trip, and by that time I couldn't hold back, the floodgates of my emotions poured out, right there in the middle of one of the fanciest hotels in Charleston. I told her about my fight with cancer this last year. I told her of my bad news just a few days ago. And I told her that it was terminal, all while feeling embarrassed that I couldn't keep it together. Yet, her compassion was deep and I could tell how much she cared about my story and about us.

She sent us on our way with the keys and we settled in. About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. It was Elizabeth from the front desk. She told us that if we were ok with it she wanted to upgrade us to a suite.

OK with it? Yes, please. And a suite? The suites there run over $1000 a night. We were shocked.

So, off we went. The bellman got our suitcase, and as we checked into the suite, we were also met with a woman rolling a cart with silver platters of macarons, chocolate, and champagne. I said, honey, "This woman is trying to get by." She said, "No, I'm here for you."

There we were in the center of Charleston in a suite overlooking the massive lit-up Christmas Tree in the outside courtyard, feeling so blessed and completely taken care of. In ways that we feel we didn't even deserve.

I often feel like this is what heaven will be like when our Lord and Savior says to us, welcome, I love you, I care about you and I have the perfect "suite" here for you.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for all that you did for us, including your constant smiles, hugs and hellos throughout the entire trip. You must be an angel in disguise.