I Don’t Want to See you again. You’re Wasting My Time. Goodbye.
Posted: May 19th, 2010 by Chick Moorman & Thomas Haller
“I don’t want to see you again. You’re wasting my time. Goodbye.” These sentences, spoken to me yesterday, are some of the sweetest words I have ever heard!
“You’re wasting my time” is sweet? Yep, sweet. “I don’t want to see you again”? Yep, real sweet. “Goodbye”? Yep, sweeter yet.
Put them all together and the communication is dripping with nothing but sweetness.
These words were delivered by my radiation oncologist yesterday, six years and three months after the conclusion of my cancer treatments. The message was simple: Hospitals are for people who need to be here, and you are not one of them.
Wow! Officially declared cured. Time for a celebration? Maybe. Certainly a time for appreciation. Thank you, Lord! Yes, I appreciate the doctors, nurses, receptionists, appointment makers, test interpreters, and on and on. But most of all today, I appreciate my family, because it is absolutely true: People don’t get cancer, families do.
When my family and I got cancer seven years ago, I was single-parenting two grand kids. I chose to give that responsibility to someone else and focus on getting well. That began the incredibly long list of sacrifices my family made on my behalf.
Chelsea and Austin (grand kids) had to switch schools, leave their friends behind, and move from Merrill to Milan to live with Jennifer and Pablo.
Jennifer (my daughter) and Pablo (her husband) chose to open their small condo to the three of us, and I camped out in their living room. That made it easier for me to get to the University of Michigan for my treatment. It made it more difficult for all of them to find space and private areas to be alone.
Olivia, my granddaughter, had to give up her cat because of my allergies.
Pablo quit his job and drove me to the University of Michigan twice a day for my radiation treatments.
Matt (my son) and Cathy (his wife) bought and moved furniture and visited me regularly in spite of the distance.
All family members took an active interest in my treatment and the results which followed. I called them all yesterday when I heard the doctor say, “I don’t want to see you again. You’re wasting my time. Goodbye.” This is a family celebration, because people don’t get cancer, families do.
Thank you everyone.
Chick Moorman
CONGRATULATIONS on your good news!
Marie
19 May 10 at 8:56 am
Chick, I am thrilled at your wonderful news! Peace and God bless!
Tracy Dunbar
19 May 10 at 11:01 am
This is GLORIOUS NEWS!! Praise God! Thank you for sharing your story and the uncomparable power of love and family! And, you show once again, the incredible power of heartfelt, descriptive words of gratitude! What a testimony to your parenting to have raised such loving, response-able children!
I share your joy! I think a celebration is definitely in order!
Kathy
19 May 10 at 11:04 am
Blessings and joy, Chick! Absolutely wonderful for you and yours
) Thank you for sharing with us!
Amy
19 May 10 at 2:11 pm
Congratulations Chick! I agree, cancer hits not one person alone, it hits the family. When my dad and eldest brother had it, the whole family suffered with them. When they died, the whole family was devastated. But thank God, by His grace, we are now healed. Thank you for sharing your life story with countless of people like me who finds blessings in your publications. Proof of how i value your articles? I regularly clean up my email leaving messages only from my family, closest friends and from you. Praying for your full recovery.
cha
19 May 10 at 10:30 pm
Chick, what a gift your family gave you, such love and depth of caring. And you return it in full measure. There are a lot (A LOT) of people who love you and who build the gossamer threads of support all around you. Your outcome is very good news. My love and happiness to you too.
Pam
24 May 10 at 10:04 am
Chick, that is such wonderful news. I’m so glad that you are cancer free and that you had such a great support system to help you through this time. It is great to here such good news. Take care and may God’s blessings continue.
Jonathan
25 May 10 at 6:04 pm
Thank you for share your personal feeling, I just want to said is wonderfull have people like you and God Bless you and you family.
sara
26 May 10 at 11:48 am
Congratulations. It\’s good to hear that you\’re completely cured. And what a wonderful,loving family you have. My best wishes to all of you.
Micky
27 May 10 at 7:10 am
Congrats Chick! You are such an amazing person who raised caring, responsible children! Thank you for helping others to break the “traditional” habits of raising children, and teaching us there is another way to raise caring, responsible children!
Kim
8 Jun 10 at 9:29 am
Wow… not a dry eye in my cubicle now… Congrats!
Lucia
21 Jul 10 at 12:15 pm
That is wonderful news. Congratulations!!!!!!!
Iman
28 Jul 10 at 5:34 am