I’ve been thinking a lot about how I say and what I say to those newly diagnosed with an illness. The catalyst has been beginning to watch on Netflix the show Emergency NYC. I watch a lot of medical reality shows because the depiction of real people both medical providers and patients having human conversations is refreshing.
I understand the shows are obviously meant to make these folks look good, but many of the patients going to Lenox Hill hospital for neurosurgery are doing so because of the expertise of the medical team. There’s nothing more comfortable for me than watching two big name neurosurgeons start their surgeries with a meditation/mindfulness moment/prayer. There’s something about everyone in the room being one. All beings connected for a common goal and a common good.
The one thing I want to offer or ask is for you to have faith. I always believe there is faith with a big “F” and faith with a small “f”. For those who believe you may have both types of faith, but the minimum basic request is faith with a small “f”.
When I say faith, I’m speaking about a belief in possibility. I always say, you may getter better but not get well. I’m suggesting experiencing hope not as a false sense of security, but as a mindset for coming through to the other side of surgery or treatment with more time, quality of life, or chance for resolution.
On the show The Bachelor, those remaining to play another week are offered a rose. I may not be able to offer you a rose, but I can offer you the knowing you’re cared for. I can offer you my experience for exploration of possibility. I can offer you compassion for when days seem endless and hopeless.
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Pilgrim Pathway 
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