The same, yet so very different

Sometimes it is eerie, how life events loop back around on themselves again and again. There we were driving up Buchanan to the hospital that Kris was treated in for breast cancer 15 years ago. The last time I was in this building was the last night that I ever saw her alive. That was the night I told Kris that that after she died, I would take care of her Michie. That night, I made a faithful promise not knowing what it would mean and what blessings would follow.

So there we are today in that same hospital, taking the elevator down to the radiation treatment level. Apparently, Michie is the long lost sister of the radiation staff. It seems that everyone knows her. Staff reminisced with Michie about Kris: How Kris was larger than life. How sick she was and how much she stayed in their hearts. How they could never forget her. Our nurse even remembered looking at the photos from their wedding all those years back.

Alison, who helped take care of Kris those many years ago, and now is equally dedicated to taking care of Michie, was there by our side. She hugged us repeatedly and walked us to our meeting with the radiologist. We were introduced, and reminded that we are important to these people whom I barely know. We were seen by the radiologist who had already been instructed to "take very good care of us". And he did...

The doctor was great. A friendly, intelligent man who answered our questions and calmed our fears. He has suggested, and we agree, that Michie have four weeks of radiation. The radiation will start in mid-October after they have completed 'casting' her so she is positioned correctly in the machine. They will radiate her whole breast for three of those weeks and then do a "boost" on the spot where the cancer was found for the last week. There should be 19 rad. treatments in all. With this treatment, Michie has a 95-97% chance of no re-occurrence.

At the end of our consultation, Alison came back and sat with us. It made me feel like we had a team of people who were taking care of us. I felt so fortunate to be blessed with such available and immediate medical care for my family. It made the whole experience feel like a party and not a serious discussion. I know Kris would have approved.

By the way: We got great a great parking spot right in front of the hospital. Thanks Kris.