In this holiday time of tinsel and lights, there are so many
among us who are going through difficult or sorrowful times.
In this holiday time of tinsel and lights, there are so many among us who are going through difficult or sorrowful times. Holidays often amplify the sadness or stress we are feeling. Gilroyan Pat Walker just lost Alan, her husband of more than 50 years, to Parkinson’s Disease, and many local people are missing their loved ones who are serving in Iraq this Christmas season. Some of us are going through very stressful experiences, such as Pastor Ted Pecot of Morgan Hill, who is having quadruple-bypass surgery Wednesday.
A friend shared with me that it is at the most trying of times that reading the wise words of those who have gone before us can be a comfort, such as the 12th century Persian poet, Nezami, who reminds us: “In the hour of adversity, do not despair, for it is from the blackest of clouds that the crystal raindrops fall.” I interpret this as a reminder that what looks so formidable, can contain the very essence that our bodies and spirits must have to sustain themselves.
Fortunately, there are people like Gretchen Vandenberg who has graciously agreed to fill in at the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church while Pastor Pecot is away, despite having recently retired from the Gilroy School District.
And good news also comes to us from Chuck Myer, former Gilroy city planner and longtime columnist for the Dispatch. You may remember my talking about him over the past year and his fight with malignant melanoma, one of the most deadly cancers.
He tells me that he is “still stunned by the response from my Gilroy friends for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in which I participated. Without question, Gilroy folks were responsible for the majority of the support I received … Our church team raised more than $4,000, and the combined effort of 50 teams raised $67,000. These funds will help future cancer patients.
“I am truly touched by the Gilroy response – especially since it was obvious that Gilroy people were telling other Gilroy people about it! Even though I have been gone for 12 years, I still feel the strong bonds of friendship with you all. Thank you so much!”
When the doctor came into my mom’s hospital room to discuss her current cancer treatment, he began by saying, “Well, the good news is that your cancer is very well-organized.” My mom, known for her pack-rat tendencies, couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s nice to know that at least one thing in my life is very well-organized.”
“Just call me ‘Yee’ Old Doctor,” said Dr. Yee, by way of introduction when he met my mom while filling in on weekend surgical rounds. “I work in the same office as Dr. Oh. Not to be confused with Dr. Ngo, which is pronounced “Dr. No.” Or Dr. Ho, a cardiologist at the hospital.
When I was child, my doctor was named “Dr. Halfpenny.” Later I graduated to seeing “Dr. Golden,” who worked in the same office. I thought that was funny, until my mom’s anesthesiologist introduced himself as “Dr. Sugar.”
Not to be confused with “Dr. Brickley Sweet,” the urologist. Another of my mom’s doctors was named “Dr. Oehler” (pronounced like “ailer”). Then we met “Dr. Slaughter,” the surgeon – what else?
I gave my mom “The Breast Book” to help her through all the ins and outs of her breast cancer battle and answer all of her breast care questions. Then I noticed it was written by (who else?) “Dr. Love.”
These are the unexpected moments that keep your sanity in the worst of situations, the times you find yourself laughing when it seemed like nothing could be funny.
I know a lot of people are going to be inspired to find the moments of humor and strength they need when they read Chuck’s story, told in his usual witty way in the upcoming memoir called “Melanoma Melodrama.”
“The good news is I’m finally done with my one year of Interferon treatments,” Chuck says. On the morning of the Relay, Chuck wrote to me, “There is hope after a cancer diagnosis! That’s why the T-shirt I’m wearing this morning says ‘Hope.’ ”
