In this age of technology, we are given a number and that is who we are. I first met Gale when I needed an MRI. She was nice as we talked about chemo. I then needed a few CT's and she was my nurse. I knew she recognized me from previous visits and was very nice, asking how I was. As more time went by along with more visits, I looked forward to my CT's, just so I could say hello and feel like the most important person, if only for a few minutes. Then, the thing I dreaded the most was to come to fruition. I needed chemo. I remembered her conversation with me almost a couple years before. When I got out of oncology, I went down to CT to see if she might be available to talk for a few minutes. I needed to see her, to hear her comforting voice, to hear her voice of reason, to hear her tell me it was going to be ok. The consult with oncology was awful and full of emotions I was trying to work through. I don't really have any family here to lean on. Gale was at lunch in the cafeteria. As I approached her, she immediately asked me what was going on. I explained I needed chemo.
Gale took her lunch time to talk to me, explain the port, and most importantly, calm me down. I have never seen such a caring, compassionate person. She will be celebrating 30 years with Roswell this month. I can not explain the emotion I feel except for gratitude for her being there. She may not know my name but I know I am not just a number to her.