Regular readers of this site, know that I have been going through some health issues in the past few months and it has really affected my desire to write much lately.

It was either the horrific floods here in Southern BC (aka Bring Cash), the daily news, the violence and mass shootings in the world – or the amount of hate there seems to be in the world these days.

And when you have had cancer – it never seems to leave your mind.

But although I dislike cancer, I love living. Ironically, cancer taught me to live, and love life – all forms of life, including people.

And despite my failing memory and the frequency of my going to pee, my decade since the cancer treatments has been among my most enjoyable.

I have more best friends than I have ever had in my life – some I have known since childhood. My other best friends are mostly in the Maritimes and Ontario.

Others I have met because of walking with my walking club – the Vancouver ‘Venturers Walking Club.

Other friends I have are either living in the NW Washington State or actors, writers, and producers.

But the group of friends I am most passionate about is the healthcare workers I have met over the past twelve years. The list includes doctors, nurses, radiation therapists, nutrition experts, patient & family counseling staff, administrative assistants, volunteers, and care dog providers.

During my battle with cancer, I had not told my family because I did not want my dear Mom to know because of her poor health. The news would have been too much for her. But I sure wished I could have gotten a hug from her when things got rough during my treatments.

But I did get hugs – from the people who were treating me at the cancer center in Surrey.

I still give and receive hugs from the staff, but it is not as often because of Covid restrictions.

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So, this morning, when I arrived at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, I was both excited to see the hospital staff but somewhat apprehensive about the actual procedure of having a camera inserted down my throat and into my lungs – while I was awake – albeit conscious sedation.

But shortly after being paged by a smiling and very friendly nurse, I was escorted to a room and given a gown to change into.

After I was changed and laying in bed, Kristina, the nurse came into the room and went through the paperwork with me. She was very courteous and cheerful, which made me feel very safe and secure.

I guess there is still a little Danny in me to this day.

Kristina and I chatted for a few minutes and I learned her reason for choosing to be a nurse. (NOTE: I am not sure if I spelled her name correctly – it might be Khristina).

It was because of the nurses she witnessed when she was visiting a loved one in Palliative Care. At that precise moment, Kristina decided what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

But Danny, nobody works for the rest of their life!

~ Spanky

Relax, Spanky, and go back to drinking your Dr. Pepper and Rum and leave the storytelling to me.

The reason I stated for the rest of her life is that she plans to volunteer at Palliative Care after she retires from nursing.

And I can tell by what I witnessed and heard during my morning in Surgical Daycare, that I would have been impressed with each and everyone else in that department.

Kristina returned to hook me up to the intravenous and took my blood pressure.

I went into the Bronchoscopy Room (how’s that for a word to remember?) and was met by several respirologists and two doctors.

Dr. Kyskan was the doctor who performed the procedure and I liked him from the moment I heard his voice on the phone last Friday. He explained everything to me in detail and I told him that I was 150% comfortable with everything.

I will not go into detail about the procedure, but afterward, I had to remain hooked up in bed for two hours. I was also informed that I would not be able to have anything to drink for another hour after leaving the hospital.

But the main reason for writing this – was to applaud the entire staff of the Royal Columbian Hospital – especially the Surgical Daycare Department.

There is a special place in heaven for each of them – they are heroes, all!

Dedicated to Kristina and the staff at Royal Columbian Hospital Surgical Daycare Department

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

I hear the ticking of the clock
I’m lying here the room’s pitch dark
I wonder where you are tonight
No answer on the telephone

And the night goes by so very slow
Oh I hope that it won’t end though
Alone

‘Til now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone

How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone

You don’t know how long I have wanted
To touch your lips and hold you tight
You don’t know how long I have waited
And I was going to tell you tonight

But the secret is still my own
And my love for you is still unknown
Alone
‘Til now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone

How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone

How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
Alone… alone…

Songwriters: Steinberg William E / Kelly Thomas F