Saturday, March 20, 2010

A Powerful Visit

March 2010


I recall a sunny Saturday morning about a year ago.  Mom was here because I had just come home from the hospital the day before.  I was still pretty weak and feeling a little down.  (The doctors had actually discharged me & stopped my treatment due to the knowledge that I was heading to National Jewish in a couple of weeks.)  I was sitting on the couch when Stacey and Elle dropped by for a surprise visit!  It was such an uplifting treat!!  They both bounced in through the door with huge smiles on their faces!  As a bonus, they brought me a Kassidy smoothie from the little place we recently had breakfast near Gymboree!  On top of that, Stacey took Jackson for a neighborhood jog while Elle hung out with Mom and me. :)


I must admit, the visit was exhausting, but it meant the world to me!  I still remember how blessed I felt that day (& still do) to have such a friend.  That visit did more than brighten my morning, it gave me a boost that helped me through the next few weeks!  Thanks Stacey and Eleanor!

Elle wishing me safe travels on the road to Denver!!


Thursday, March 4, 2010

and then Barb called

It was a busy March day, about a year ago.  I was on my home from work and the phone rang.  It was an unrecognized number with a 303 area code.  When I answered, (expecting a tele-marketer) I was surprised to be introduced to Barb, a lung nurse from National Jewish Health in Denver. 


It was evident as soon as she began speaking that this place was so different.  She wasn't just calling to get insurance information or schedule my trip ~ she was calling to get to know me.  I could tell that she cared about me and she didn't even know me. 


At the end of our conversation, she asked what my biggest hope was for in this trip to National Jewish.  I said in a dream scenario I would like be hospitalized less often & to stop taking steroids.  Barb responded, "Oh Toni, your dreams aren't big enough!  We're going to do so much more for you!"