Pink Ribbon Dance

I spend at least half an hour each week sitting in the waiting room of Swedish Medical Center’s Cancer Institute. I don’t have cancer myself, but I have a blood condition. Hematologists do a lot of work with cancer, so I find myself in cancer centers, with cancer patients, quite often.

It’s probably the most humbling and inspiring thing I do each week. Just to sit in that room, surrounded with these people. I rarely even talk to them, but they leave a deep impression on me every Monday.

So while I don’t know what its like to battle cancer, I do know what it feels like to be scared, spend a lot of time in hospitals, and not know what’s going on with your body. And I know exactly how important it is to have an understanding doctor and a supportive staff.

When I first arrived in Seattle, my lungs clotted up and my first friends that I saw on a regular basis were Dr. Michael Milder, his nurse Judy Jacoby, and his team. Judy still gives me a hug every week, and sincerely asks how I’m doing. It means the world to me.

And so, with that gratitude and sense of appreciation, I give massive props to the employees at St Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Attitudes and care like this is what helps give us hope, helps us fight, and helps us face some downright terrible battles with courage.

THANK YOU, Seattle Swedish Hospitals, Swedish Cancer Institute, Dr. Milder, Judy, St. Vincent’s, and any other medical or hospital worker for what you do.