Empathy

Yesterday, while sitting in the radiation clinic waiting for my treatment, I watched as people began to mill about. I have been seeing these same faces for days now because we've all been assigned a treatment time that falls within a thirty minute time frame. I'd seen an older woman in a wheelchair being pushed into the waiting room over the past few days, but had never had a chance to talk with her until yesterday. The woman who pushed her into the waiting room parked her in the middle of the floor and said, "I'll be out in the car waiting." She was a young, black woman obviously hired to be the elderly woman's transportation for the day. As she left the wheelchair bound woman, I watched her face. She couldn't wait to get out of there. You could tell she felt so uncomfortable amid all the Cancer patients waiting for treatment.

A few of us struck up conversation, talking about the weather and trivial things like that. The older woman sat silently and said nothing. She must have been in her late 80's. A large, black cancerous growth was planted right in the center of her nose. It was hard to miss, and I'm sure she was very aware that it was the focal point of her face whenever she engaged in conversation.

I made a point to begin a conversation to her. I could tell she wanted to join in but was timid and afraid. I began to tell her why I was here and then I began to ask about her story. She explained that she lived all alone. Her husband had severe Alzheimer's and she was unable to walk any longer due to several hip and back injuries. She lived on a fixed income and her children would take turns coming to stay with her at night. She said she'd just had her 8th radiation treatment for cancer and explained how hard it was for the staff to get her in and out of the wheelchair. My heart was breaking for her as I listened to her explain that she didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

The nurse came out to the waiting room to get Mrs. W. (I won't share her last name in order to protect her privacy.) As she began pushing the wheelchair, I noticed Mrs. W's feet were not on the foot rests and her feet were dragging underneath the chair and being bent backward on the floor. Quickly I ran over to lift her legs and place them on the foot rests. The nurse looked befuddled and said in a curt tone "oh, her feet weren't on the rests?" I shook my head no and sat back down. It amazed me that this nurse, who was in a profession of caring, hadn't even taken time to check Mrs. W's feet before proceeding to move her wheelchair.

Mrs. W came back into the waiting room after her treatments and waited for her aide to come back into the room and get her. As she sat there with me, we talked about how challenging it was to come to treatment every day. Mrs. W said it was a real hardship on her because she was having to pay someone to bring her each day. I was upset at that fact and told her if I was in better health, I would gladly come and get her but since my surgery, I was unable to push or lift anything. She mentioned how she'd had to hire a taxi one day to bring her and he charged her $40 each way. That infuriated me! This poor little old lady living all alone on a fixed income should not have to pay a dime to be transported to treatment. Immediately I remember that the American Cancer Society offers volunteers in their "Road to Recovery" program who will freely take patients to and from treatment. When I told Mrs. W about the program, she just smiled the biggest smile. It felt so good to help her!

The aide came back in to get Mrs. W and as they were leaving, I got up to open the door to the outside of the office for her. Mrs. W gently grabbed my hand and looked up at me. Without her saying a word, I knew she understood my heart. She knew I had great empathy for her and wanted to help in any way I could. I was honored to do this small thing to assist her.

Any little thing we can do for someone that is offered in love and kindness can show the love of Christ. Opening a door, sharing a smile, an aptly spoken word...tiny things that can mean so much to a hurting heart. I am so thankful God has given me a heart filled with love and mercy for others. If only everyone would take the time to share kindness, what a different place our world would be today.

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