I get my treatments at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Florida. As you walk throughout the buildings you see their faces-our faces! The many faces of cancer. These faces are young, old, dark, light, worried and happy! Everyone has their own unique battle. Some fight harder than others, some survive, some don’t. It is at this point when I wonder which will I be. A victim or survivor? Whats the pl for me?

I report to Moffitt to have my port installed. I am afraid. I mean really afraid. I havent slept and I am a nervous wreck. A very pleasant lady calls my name and I rise in response. I head back, back behind the doors that are reserved for the sick and their loved ones. She gives me the regular speak about taking all of my clothes off and putting them in a plastic bag. My nurse arrives. He is a male nurse, possibly Hispanic.  He is upbeat and reassuring. He talked to me about what going to happen. He listened to mall of my fears and concerned. He really listened, he looked me in the eyes when I spoke and he allowed me to finish all of my sentences.  It is crazy how comforting this was. After all, I have cancer, this isn’t curing the cancer but it sure is making me feel better. I am afraid so my nurse tells me that he will be with me for the entire surgery.

Through the drug induced haze I wake up and look for his kind face. He is there. I see him moving about in the surgery room. I hear his voice and I am comforted. I officially have a port installed and I am ready for chemo. The day was good.