Hospital Story #3............ The Bald Boy

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Hospital Story #3............ The Bald Boy by Mikekoz13 on 07 Apr, 2009 20:16
Shortly after we went to the staging area to wait to be taken to a room, a manand his wife along with a teenage boy came into the waiting area. I noticed that under his baseball cap, the young boy appeared to be bald.

They were taken to a room shortly after that but a little later when we went to our pre-op room I saw his Mom in the hall walking by. It turned out he was in the pre-op room next to us. Both of his parents looked like they had been threw the wringer. His Dad looked especially distraught. I wanted so badly to talk to this man but just didn't know what to say.
So off they went to surgery before us. I was hoping I would see his Dad in the waiting area later so I could just talk to him. I watched for those folks off and on all afternoon but never saw them.

So when my daughter was taken to the recovery area fate waved it's hand. The young boy and his Family were right next to us. These "rooms" were really just small areas with three walls and a curtain that pulled across the open end.
I was leaning against the wall at the open end when the boys Dad came out of their room. He looked like life had dragged him through Hell and back.
He happened to glance in my direction and i looked him straight in the eye and just gave a small nod.
A few minutes later he came over to me and said, "I see you have a tattoo undet that sleeve, do you mind?" I said of course not, pulled up my sleeve and showed it to him.
He then showed me a very old faded tattoo and said he was looking to find someone that could give hima quality cover-up tattoo but nobody in his area could do the work.

I asked where they were from. Turns out about 90 minutes from me. So I told him the website of my artist. He said thanks and went back into the room with his very exhausted looking wife.
A litlle while later he came back out and I went over to talk to him. I asked if they were going home today and he said yes. I asked how old his son was and he said 17. His son has the same form of cancer that Lance Armstrong did. I asked his son's name and he quietly said "Glenn". I placed my hand on his shoulder, leaned in a bit and said, "I'm going to Pray for your son".
He immediately clasped my hand, placed his other hand on my shoulder and said, "Thank you so much. I am also Glenn".
Before I left I wrote my name and phone number as well as the name of where I got my tattoo on a piece of paper.
I handed it to him and said, "Glenn, if you decide to get that tattoo in Gettysburg, give me a call and I'll take you out to lunch and to meet my artist. Give me a call".

Two big guys, strangers, whose Families had just had very bad days were nearly in tears together standing in that hallway.
#1 by The Scottish Ambassador on 08 Apr, 2009 06:11
sh*t Mike, tears ARE flowin after readin this one. Maybe we could all include Glenn in our prayers also
#2 by Mikekoz13 on 08 Apr, 2009 08:45
Quote from: The Scottish Ambassador on 08 Apr, 2009 06:11
sh*t Mike, tears ARE flowin after readin this one. Maybe we could all include Glenn in our prayers also

Thanks Stephen.... the Glenns' are already in mine. And if you are so inclined, please include Ernie's wife Stephanie.
#3 by schro on 08 Apr, 2009 08:51
You're a good man Koz.

#4 by GASlick on 08 Apr, 2009 20:12
God is always moving around us, often though we are to busy to notice. Great stories Koz!
#5 by Jer on 08 Apr, 2009 21:28
I must say, these stories are great! The past while a friend and his wife have been asking what's with me and 'the bald site'. I've been spending most of my off duty time at their house as she just had an ovarian cist removed so me being there means my friend doesn't have to take so much time off work. Anyway, I was there today and had her read these posts and she just began to cry. When my buddy got home from work she started to cry, gave him a hug, and said he should shave his head so he could 'be a bald brother' to be among such wonderful people who'll support you through thick and thin.

Again Koz, nothing but the best wishes for a speedy recovery, and now there are that many more people praying not only for your family, but the Glenn's as well.
#6 by Timmay on 08 Apr, 2009 21:30
Thats awesome Jer
#7 by warhawk on 09 Apr, 2009 02:24
hey mike: thanks 4 sharing that story. it's quality members like U which make this site a fraternity.

WARHAWK
#8 by Mikekoz13 on 09 Apr, 2009 04:17
Quote from: Jer on 08 Apr, 2009 21:28
I must say, these stories are great! The past while a friend and his wife have been asking what's with me and 'the bald site'. I've been spending most of my off duty time at their house as she just had an ovarian cist removed so me being there means my friend doesn't have to take so much time off work. Anyway, I was there today and had her read these posts and she just began to cry. When my buddy got home from work she started to cry, gave him a hug, and said he should shave his head so he could 'be a bald brother' to be among such wonderful people who'll support you through thick and thin.

Again Koz, nothing but the best wishes for a speedy recovery, and now there are that many more people praying not only for your family, but the Glenn's as well.

Thanks Jer.........

And i really thank you for your Prayers for Glenn and his son Glenn.
#9 by Jtro on 09 Apr, 2009 05:49
Ah man that surely put me into tears... I am thankful that there are still good men and women out there in this world...
#10 by xnewyawka on 09 Apr, 2009 09:09
What a great story. It's nice to know there are still some people out there that are capable of showing their fellow man some compassion.
If you watch the news at night, it makes you sick what goes on each day.

The good people are out there too, they just usually focus on the bad.
#11 by Papa Don on 09 Apr, 2009 10:16
Mike, you are a wonderful caring person. You came to me in my lonliness. and now you have reached out to others. What the world needs is a whole lot more people like you. If we ever meet, I would like to shake your hand and tell you in person how much you helped me in my low time.