Vicki's Story - Shared Gratitude
As I sit down to share my story, I can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. You see, gratitude holds a special place in my heart, especially since Kevin launched the I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU Movement and I got my first set of IGFY cards.
I share them regularly. Here's one significant experience that stands out for me.
My father has been battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer for 11 years. We recently had to change doctors and institutions to enroll him in a new clinical trial.
That's when we met Dr. Alter at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Dr. Alter is a man of integrity and valor who took my father under his wing.
During our first appointment, he spent three hours meticulously reviewing my father's records. He was kind and gracious to connect and communicate with my father with empathy and simple language rather than obtuse medical terms.
As we left the center, I turned to my mom and said, "You know, Mom, I work with doctors every day, and they're not all like Dr. Alter. I want to give him one of my I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU cards." So, I took out a Legacy Card and my calligraphy pen, asking my parents for a couple of minutes to write a heartfelt note.
Unfortunately, we had already exited the locked doors of the center, and were out in the lobby. Not to be deterred, I knocked on the door and asked a nurse to pass the card to Dr. Alter.
As we waited by the elevator, he came running out, holding the card in his hand. He told me that in his 25 years of medical practice, he had never received such a card from a patient's family member and thanked me profusely for my gratitude and appreciation.
Our conversation turned to his own cancer journey and the importance of making patients feel human amidst their struggle. The impact of that card on Dr. Alter was profound, reminding him that people are grateful for his life-saving work. Expressing gratitude, as I've learned, truly changes everything.
I believe the patients Dr. Alter saw that day and the following week experienced an even more compassionate doctor. My heartfelt expression of gratitude kept him engaged and reminded him of the importance of his work.
Sadly, my father has now failed chemotherapy and is in the last miles of his disease. He's 78 years young, and Dr. Alter is doing everything he can to give us more time with him. This journey has shown me the power of gratitude and the impact it can have on people like Dr. Alter, who devote their lives to helping others.
Do you have stories or insights to share? We'd love to hear your story!
