We visited my family last week, and we stopped by The Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center in Maryland to see my dad during his chemotherapy treatment. The moment we stepped off the elevator on the treatment floor, we were greeted by a warm smile from Ellen who sits as the entry hall desk. Her welcoming and beautiful smile allowed me to release the tears I had been holding back while I held the hands of my children. Ellen had never met us before, but she found me a tissue and a quiet spot to sit with my children until the tears stopped.

Ellen apologetically told me that children under 12 could not visit the chemotherapy room, but she didn’t stop there. She and another nurse offered to supervise my children in the waiting room, so I could go back a visit with my dad for a bit. When I returned, my children were happily watching cartoons and had been offer both drinks and a snack. Best of all, I came out of the chemotherapy room following their grandfather because he had finished up in time to visit with their smiling faces.

My children were treated like royalty by the staff at The Cancer Institute. The loving care my children received from the staff was a gift to me. The time alone with my dad was priceless. Thank you, Ellen.