After so many years working in Radiation Oncology, one thing I've been asked time and again is "how do you work in such a difficult atmosphere?" The answer; I wish to make a difference in the lives of those suffering with cancer; individuals like Harley.
In the 17 years since Harley has passed, I've thought of him and his family many times. Last Monday I was inspired by an opportunity to participate in #GivingTuesday at Spencer Hospital, through the Spencer regional Healthcare Foundation. I wasn't going to be at work that day so I decided to give on-line. I came to a section on the form where it asked if this was a gift "in memory of someone special". I immediately thought of Harley.
After all these years, I couldn't quickly recall Harley's last name. Hours after my search began, I found him. Harley Laidig. How wonderful it would be to reconnect with his wife, Shirley.
I went to the phone book; no Shirley Laidig listed. For a moment I wondered if perhaps Shirley had passed on. As I searched, I came across an obituary with the last name Laidig. I realized it was Harley's brother. The end of the obituary mentioned that he was survived by sister-in-law Shirley Bates. Could she have remarried? I looked up Shirley Bates. I dialed. I timidly asked for Shirley.
"Shirley? This is going to sound very strange. This is Sara Olsen and I work at the Abben Cancer Center,' I explained. 'Were you formerly Shirley Laidig?" "YES!" she exclaimed, "Are you that little gal that took care of my Harley?" Shirley ended our conversation saying, "This is the best Christmas present ever!"
Words fall short how it felt talking with her after all this time. What an unexpected blessing. I can definitively say, the reason I do what I do is not about me making a difference in the lives of my patients, but rather it's about how the patients make a difference in mine. The same is true of giving. I'm thankful that Giving Tuesday brought us back together, and thankful for the availability of local healthcare options in our region.
Review from #MyGivingStory