A Cute Hospital Couple

I feel hospitals are the best place to meet new people. The reason is, that a hospital is the only place where everyone has empathy for others and they know that we are all in this together.

My Dad got diagnosed with cancer a couple of years back and my journey has been pretty exciting since then. I got a chance to hop between multiple hospitals trying to extend his lifeline. There were good and bad moments for sure but every now and then I get to meet new people. This is a similar experience where I met a cute couple.

It was outside the doctor’s chamber that I first met her. She had a towel over her head and looked a lot like my mother. A towel covering your head is a common site in cancer hospitals. We both were waiting for the doctor. She looked as if she was in panic so I asked her where she was from. Turns out she traveled from a faraway place. I have recently moved to this town so I was not familiar with that place when she told me. Upon asking further she mentioned it takes 40 minutes via a public bus. That is far.

We got talking and she mentioned she is with her husband and he has gone to take care of some paperwork. She inquired how I was doing and who was with me. As we were chatting the doctor came in and then we both got busy. As I walked out of the chamber after meeting the doctor, she was gone.

On returning to our ward, I saw her admitted to a bed beside our bed. My mom was chatting with her and she introduced me to her and her husband. I told Mom, that I had been chatting with her at the doctor’s chamber and we all had a laugh.

As we got talking we got to know more about them and their family. Turns out they have kids but unfortunately, they couldn’t make time for their parents. So they are managing by themselves. They mentioned that they have been undergoing treatment for 3 years now and are almost done with the treatment. They said the tumor is almost removed and only a small part is left.

We were all happy for them. But somewhere I noticed their treatment summary and saw they were being administered the same medicines as Dad. I moved away from them for some hospital formalities and as I was getting the work done, her husband came to me and we got chatting. I casually asked him if I could see the scan reports and other documents he had and he gave it to me. On reading I understood that she is in her last stage and the medicine being administered is the only hope left.

I realized what might have happened. Doctors usually don’t tell such intricate details to senior patients and their families to not make them worry further. And since in their case, the children were also too busy, I guess the doctors felt it best to not mention the severity of the case.

I said nothing and gave him the reports back. We had a chat and he opened up his heart. He mentioned how he has been struggling for years now and there is no help. I felt so bad and tried to console him by saying that it’s okay you have done good and that, in today’s world everything is available at your fingertips. He agreed but am not sure how much of a help I was.

They finished their medications and left before us. Greeting each one of us and wishing us the best. We also did the same. I told him to call me whenever he needed me even though we lived very far.

The whole point of the story is twofold. One — just telling someone that you are with them gives an immense sense of security. Maybe I will never be able to help them out but I am pretty sure their visit to the hospital was something they will always remember. And Two — I know people are busy in their lives but to leave your loved ones when they need you the most is not something people really appreciate. I know she cannot be saved but those last couple of months of happiness with her children could be what she takes to her grave.

In my eyes, they like a lot of other parents in this world got married, gave birth, raised children, got them married, and are now fighting for the last couple of moments together with love and courage.

Love is magic. It gives you immense strength to do anything. So if you have a loved one make them feel that you are happy that they stuck with you and you stuck with them so far in life.