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Amelia
The work week was turning out to be insane. It was only Wednesday, but I was exhausted.
Three of the other radiation therapists called out sick on Monday, and the scheduling staff had to scramble to arrange appointments so that each patient had enough time and care from providers. Even still, an influx of new patients was being brought on due to the closure of a nearby facility, meaning that University Hospital was serving thirty percent more patients than normal.
It was hard work, but I enjoyed the chance to have a positive effect on people’s lives. Administering radiation therapy meant spending time with patients ranging from young people with optimistic prognoses to older patients who were severely ill, and everyone in between.
My career choice had proven fulfilling, and although it wasn’t my lifelong dream, I was glad I had studied so hard during my program so that I was well-prepared for my professional future. The work could be difficult emotionally–especially when caring for sick children–but I had always loved helping people and making others comfortable. Most of my patients knew me by name. Compassion was just in my nature. It made me a suitable personality type for the role.
Dad always said I had a big heart. He told me he was so proud when I graduated, that I was going into a noble line of work–not just a profession, but a calling.
I wasn’t sure I’d be doing it forever, but it was extremely rewarding, and I knew it gave my dad peace of mind that I had chosen a stable career with a focus on helping people.
One of those people was my favorite patient, Ed. He was an older man, maybe about seventy, and he came in twice a month for his treatments, always by himself, having taken the bus.
Every time, Ed would have me laughing without fail before he even sat down. A real ham, I always thought.
Today was one of Ed’s scheduled visits, and he showed up fifteen minutes early like always. When I found him in the treatment room, he was doing a crossword puzzle with a pen, using a book he’d brought as a flat surface.
“Amelia! How’s my favorite healthcare provider this week? Do anything fun over the weekend?”
I tried not to blush. I was a professional, after all. “Oh, I went to a party at my parents’ house. Nothing out of the ordinary, really. My dad holds one every year for his real estate clients. How about you, Ed? How are you feeling today?”
Ed was all smiles. “Well, it just so happens that I’ve got some jokes for you.” He set down his crossword and opened up the book,1,000 Best Tried-and-True Jokes for Every Occasion.“Ready?”
I chuckled, ready to be amused. Ed seemed to want to make me as comfortable as I wanted to make him. It gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling; people like Ed gave me hope for humanity. “I’m a captive audience, Ed,” I teased. “Try me.”
“Okay, how’s about…” He flipped through the book, then his eyes lit up when he found what he was looking for. “What did the zero say to the eight?”
“I don’t know, what?”
“Nice belt!”
Oh my.“Good one, Ed.” I laughed. Ed beamed.
“I’ve got another one for you. Want to hear a joke about construction?”
“Sure!”
“I’m still working on it.”
I laughed even harder at that one.
By then I had gotten Ed all settled in for his treatment and was making sure he was comfortable.
“Alright, let’s save some jokes for after you’re all finished. Make sure and stay extra still for me, okay?”
“Anything for you, Amelia,” he said with a sweet smile.
I went into the next room and delivered the radiation remotely from my computer panel. Afterward, I got Ed a cup of apple juice and made sure he was feeling okay before letting him go for the day.
“One more joke,” he said.
“I’m all yours.”
“What do you call an alligator detective specializing in finance?”
“Let’s hear it.”
