In reading her emails I was struck by the love and support his being ringside for her fights and the inspiration and motivation she took from his personal battle and how she harnessed that to push her to be better.  It would move me and remind me that life is full of difficulties but love and support will lift you up.

I felt privileged when I received a call about 2 weeks ago from T wanting to know if there was anything acupuncture could do to dull the pain RW was experiencing.  Although I had never met RW I felt like I had through the loving emails from T.  He was not a stranger but someone I had been holding in my thoughts over the previous year as I have been their silent cheerleader, both T and RW.  You see RW was ready to move to the next stage as the pain was unbearable.  The cancer had invaded throughout the lungs and his whole right side and especially his right arm was unable to move due to the shooting pain.  RW’s family had been a big presence and support during his battle.  Nothing was left unsaid and I felt although he was in such discomfort and pain he was also at peace with his time with us.

So on the Wed I met with RW face to face I did not feel I was meeting a stranger.  I felt like I was meeting a friend.  We laughed together from the very first words that were spoken.  I brought out my needles to do some acupuncture laughing that this would not hurt a bit.  Everything is relative and he did not feel the needles at all.  He slipped into a light slumber and rested.  All the while his daughter (his other one) would stroke his arm to let him know she was there with him.  His loving wife would make sure I had whatever I needed and that RW was comfortable.  I explained what they might expect from the treatment and offered to come back in a day or two if desired to consolidate the treatment.

On Friday evening I got an email from T that RW had slipped into a coma on Thursday.  T explained that before RW went into the coma he awoke from the treatment and wanted to play cards.  Eager to oblige then cards they played.  RW appeared to be out of the shooting pain as he used his right arm to play cards and to reach out to the hospice care nurse.  He was unaware that he was using it.  Pain is an allusive thing as we only remember it when we are experiencing it and forget when it goes away.  I think that is why women have multiple children…they forget how painful the first was.  Again, I digress.  T wanted to know if there was anything else acupuncture could do.  I suggested another treatment to solidify the first and that maybe the family members might like a treatment as they all were experiencing a personal loss.  They agreed and I visited the family at their home on Saturday afternoon.  While RW was receiving his treatment I visited a little with RW’s sister.  She decided on a treatment as it might be a new and most likely the last experience her and her brother would share.  So every member of the family visiting that Saturday received a treatment.

The following Monday I received word that RW had left us.  I must admit I felt joy that RW’s pain was over.  He passed with love, dignity, peace and in an odd way full of life.  Full of life in that he left me with a fullness and joy of having known him.  If I felt so moved from the little time sharing space with him I know that he impacted so many others.  We all have an impact on the others around us.  I am reminded that it is my friends, family and patients that I draw strength from and who inspire me as I go through my life story.  Thank you RW and all who touch me in the small and large ways.  Sometimes I am unaware but today I am very much aware of how we touch one another.