The Power of a Smile

Today, in all of its ordinariness, is one of the best days of my life. The lower your lows, the more amazing the average days seem. Mom is finally responding to the IV antibiotics, and seems almost back to her old self. Her speech delays are nearly gone, her short term memory is improving and her confusion and hallucinations have evaporated. She may be released as early as tomorrow to a rehab facility to help her regain her strength, and hopefully even start walking again. As it turns out, when she suddenly took a turn for the worse two weeks ago, it was due to the sepsis. It wasn't her brain cancer, or a side effect of the chemotherapy like we feared. All along, Mom was just fighting off a life-threatening infection that had invaded her bloodstream.
 
The seizure she had on Saturday morning probably saved her life. It caused her to get the medical care she needed right away.
 
And what amazing medical care it is. I cannot speak highly enough of the UC Irvine Medical Center staff. From the time we checked her out against medical advice of a horrible county facility in Moreno Valley and brought her to the emergency room here in August of 2013, she has had the highest standard of care. Mom has an amazing team of doctors, nurses, residents, attending physicians and social workers that I cannot say enough good things about. Her neuro-oncologist, Dr. Carrillo, calls us back within minutes when paged, even if it's on a Friday night or before dawn on a Saturday morning. He takes the time to meet with us and is one of the most compassionate doctors that has ever walked the earth.

But you do not need to be in one of the traditional helping professions to truly make a difference in someone's life. There's one bright smile that comes to my mind when we're on our way to an appointment, and it belongs to Sunida.
 

Sunida, the face of UCI Medical

Sunida works in valet services at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. But she provides a much more valuable service than that; she brightens our day. When we started coming here just over a year ago, we were frightened and scared. We dreaded our appointments. She was one of the first people we built a relationship with, as she quickly learned all of our names. She started asking my Dad 'Where is your pretty daughter?' when I wasn't there, or would tell me 'Your Dad makes me laugh!' when I would bring Mom. She always greets us with the biggest smile, and when she asks Mom how she's feeling, you can tell she genuinely wants to hear an answer. When she's not there, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed.

Many times, I come straight from work to Mom's appointments. I often drive there, my stomach in knots, knowing we will be receiving the results of a scan. Or, worried how the new chemo. she is about to receive will affect her. Appointments with the doctor can be unpredictable, but seeing Sunida is not, because she always puts us at ease. Without realizing it, I started looking forward to seeing Sunida.

A few days ago, my Dad was returning to stay the night with Mom and walked by valet services after he parked their car. Realizing that Mom wasn't with him, Sunida asked where she was. Dad filled her in, and without skipping a beat, she asked what Mom's room number was.

Today, as I was about to take the elevator to the neuroscience step-down unit on the 5th floor, I heard my name. There she was, huge smile as always, with flowers in hand for Mom.

Mom was so surprised, because seeing her was out of context. It took her a second to realize that she was there to see her, and that she brought her flowers. Carnations were Mom's wedding flower. Even now, a few hours later, Mom is still talking about what a sweet gesture it was to care enough to take the time to bring her flowers and a card. But it was also all of the days leading up to this, and all of the days that will follow.

You cannot put a value on what she has given us over the last year. No matter what happens, Sunida will always be someone who makes me smile when I think about her. At the end of this fight, we will hold in our hearts all of those who have led this charge with us. Including Sunida who always adds a little brightness to our day no matter how gloomy they may seem.