Today was a harder day at radiation. And not for any reason you may suspect.
Once a week I have an x ray done to make sure all the measurements are the same and I see the Dr. to discuss any changes or problems that may have developed. All of this makes for a longer appointment time.
With my appointment being at 7:00 am I am usually in and out so quickly that I do not see anyone else. That was not the case today.
As I walked into the private waiting area on my way back to change into my clothes there were two women seated waiting for their treatments. One was an older woman the other was a very young woman, I would guess in her late 20’s. The younger woman was thin and had a knit hat on her head which indicated to me that she was either in the midst of chemotherapy or done with chemo and taking radiation. She was quiet and her head was down as I greeted them and walked into the changing area.
As quickly as all of that happened my heart was overwhelmed with a sense of sadness. She looked so small, scared and alone to me. My sadness was so extreme that I was on the verge of weeping. I wondered if she was there alone, if she had good support at home and how scared she must be to face something like this so young and what a difference it would make in her life to have hope in Christ.
I could not leave without going back into that room to speak to both of those ladies. I made the statement when I walked back in the room that none of us wanted to be “here”. I introduced myself and asked them for their names. She was so soft spoken I had to ask her to repeat her name. She said, “Isabel.” The older lady said it was her last day of radiation. I asked if they were both there for breast cancer. The older lady was but Isabel said she was there for lymphoma. I told them when I was laying on the table receiving radiation that I was not just praying for myself but for everyone else who lays on those tables. I wanted so badly to just stay awhile and talk to Isabel alone.
It was not by accident that I was at radiation/oncology longer this morning. I am praying that my path will cross with Isabel again so I have the opportunity to get to know her. I would love to share Jesus with her and anyone else that I can. If I do not have the opportunity to see her it is my intent to leave a card for her at the nurses station with my contact information.
My heart is overwhelmed with sadness today. Please pray for Isabel when she comes to mind. Also pray that God would give me the opportunity to become a part of her life.
Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Love,
Carmel
Carmel, when you called me after you left your treatment and told me about Isabel and you prayed for her before we got off the phone I wept then and also as I read this latest entry. Yes, God gave you the time to speak to those women and I pray you will be able to witness to Isabel. It is a scary path and a lonely one at times, but you are so blessed to have the Lord.
Mom, this too made me cry. I’m glad you crossed paths with Isabel. I hope you two are able to meet again. I’m sure you would be a great influence in her life. Your posts are always healing to me as I’m sure they are to your other readers. I love you.
My heart, along with everyone else that has read this exerpt, weeps for Isabel. I can only imagine what you and everyone else is going through, but to be going through it alone would be terribly difficult. I don’t believe that your meeting her was by accident; God has a way of making sure that we are at the right place and the right time to hear and receive the Word that he has for us. May God continue to bless you. Love you.
Well, we’ve talked about this before and my prayer is that you not only be able to speak to her again but, that you may be able to witness too many other women who are going through this, who will go through this and who have been through this. As I stated before this all happened just so you can be a light to others. Just as Jesus was used as a sacrifice for us your healing is just another way of showing how God does work miracles. Love Kyana
Dear Carmel;
It was wonderful to hear your voice Sunday afternoon to actually catch up on things in each others life. I had to responsed to your posting of Isabel- how moving as I know this was true of my dear sister Katrina who passed away from cancer at the age of 40-how alone she felt and would have loved someone to have taken the time to care what she was going through with the same type of treatment.
We often forget (not you) that others go through so much worst than ourselves. As you know I am training our golden as a therapy dog and will be going to hospice as a way to give back for all they did for our family with my sister. And already I have been warned in my certified training of how alone they feel and how unresponsive people become due to being depressed over the thought of dying. I will pray often through each day for Isabel it was not by concident that your paths crossed, may God give you another opportunity to reach her.
See the good coming already through what appeared so aweful at the start. You are so inspiring to all of us who read your blog- really need to concern writing that book!
Love you- Michele