“RE: The Little Pager that Could”
I’ve been researching this week articles for background information to use in my next Post. The title looks like it might be “Only the Black Keys”, but that may change. So today to give myself more time to sort things out, I went into the Archives and am re-posting this piece I wrote last March. Apologies to Val Wilcox, Bill Hartman and others who have already read this article.
The “Little Pager that Could” declares not only our dependence upon GOD, but also on those who claim HIS Name. The narrator of this is Roger Bennett who subsequently passed away shortly after this event from his own battle with Leukemia.
“The Little Pager that Could” by Roger Bennett
“I’ve just come back from my latest consultation at M.D. Anderson. Labs at 7:30 am, Dr. Lenihan (cardio) at 8:30 then Dr. Keating and Co.(leukemia) at 11:30 am. As you can deduce I spent a lot of time in waiting rooms today. I have this theory that a cancer patient can spot another cancer patient. Of course it’s easy at a Cancer Center like MDA, but it’s interesting to watch.
When the new patient comes into the room, there is an immediate sizing up that takes place. I do it as well. You look for the tell tale signs. Any obvious lines or ports in the veins, complexion variations or hair loss. It’s not an uncomfortable thing it is just the way it is. I don’t think there’s any more honest place in the world than a cancer waiting room. The conversations that take place are no frills and always contain terms that the average healthy person is unfamiliar with. CBC, neutrophils, aspiration, and a host of other things that might not be discussed so openly in another place are right out in the open in the waiting room.
One of the other rituals that take place is identifying the patient. Many times this is not a problem in that the patient is obviously sick and companion is there for support. However, there are patients like myself that look healthy on the outside and are accompanied by a healthy companion. You can see it in the eyes as the two people are judged and the decision made. Sometimes you’re right and sometimes not.
I was wrong today. I wasn’t feeling quite up to par this morning and in one of the waiting rooms I fell asleep. The room was empty except for Debbie and myself when I dozed off. But soon a quiet conversation roused me. I heard talk about pain management etc. I woke to see a very young mother and what looked to be her father in the room with us. I quietly listened to Debbie talk with them. I made my choice…It was the Dad that was sick and the daughter was his caregiver. She looked so healthy and vital. I was wrong. This young women, a mother of two small kids was the patient. She has a rare form of bone cancer and is in for the fight of her life. It broke my heart. During our talk I kept hearing a vibrating sound like a cell phone’s alarm. Every few minutes, sometimes more than one a minute this little pager would make its noisy announcement. I thought, “Boy she’s a busy lady”. Then she told me the story of the pager.
It seems her prayer group at church gave her the pager and every time anyone at church prayed for her, they would page her just to remind her of their love and support! She didn’t have to talk to anyone. No one wanted a call back. This was just to encourage her that her friends had not forgotten her! I got cold chills every time that little pager vibrated! And I could see that she found strength with every vibration! What a great idea and what a picture of grace.
I know first hand the power of prayer and how important it is to your spiritual health. And I saw first hand the power of reminders today in the face of this beautiful young cancer patient. Her friends were remembering her and that reminded her that God remembers too!
It doesn’t have to be a pager. A little card will do the trick. Sometimes a voice mail is better than a phone call. It depends on the day, but sometimes when you’re sick, it helps just to listen and not have to talk. Whatever form you choose…let your sick friend know that you are remembering them.”
For those who may be like me, the Kleenex below is for you.
17 Comments
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Ah Nelson, what a story.. I love coming here to read your posts.. they are always so special and warming with a lesson to learn. Thanks you.
Lesly´s last [type] ..Are You Brainwshing Yourself?
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washouse Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:15 am
Thanks Lesly for dropping in. You are a special person that warms any Blog you visit.
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What an awesome story Nelson! I love that idea and I must just steal it!
Kevin M.´s last [type] ..4 ways to find true fulfillment
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washouse Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:18 am
Oh Boy, a preacher taking to “Stealing”. Anytime Kevin, I remember the first time I read Rogers “The little Pager that Could” and felt the same as you. God has so richly blessed us with the “Roger Bennetts” of this world.
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Great story Nelson. I had a friend who got hit by a car from behind while training for Ironman. It was touch and go for months, and his wife had a prayer pager and it was constantly vibrating…a good feeling, I am sure.
Barry Garner´s last [type] ..Network Marketing and Ironman – A Long Journey To Success
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washouse Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:20 am
Barry I am sure not only your friend benifited but other like you as well. And yes it is a awesome “Good Feeling”.
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Nelson, I appreciate you sharing this very moving story. And you are right, when you are sick, you may not feel like being social, yet it sure feels wonderful to listen (to voice messages, read email) just to know that someone is thinking about them and cares.
Christine
Christine Casey´s last [type] ..“3,317 Counter Points, Was It Worth Loosing My Family?”
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washouse Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:27 am
Christine, the human touch is worth far more than “Silver or Gold” isn’t it. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving you valued comment.
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Nelson,
No need to apologize. I loved this article the first time and it still touches my heart. This was well worth sharing again. Glad more people get a chance to read this. Really changes your perspective on what is happening.
Thanks Nelson,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..When the Why is Big Enough…
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washouse Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:22 am
I knew you would understand Val because you are a “Pro”. Thanks for you very appreciated support.
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What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing, Nelson. Such a loving way to send constant reminders of love, faith, and encouragement. And thanks for the tissue!
Teresa Ivory´s last [type] ..Do You Work For Free?
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washouse Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:23 am
Yea the sniffles sometimes get you don’t they. Thanks Teresa for sharing your comments.
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Hi Nelson
What a tearjerker..thanks for the tissues. I can remember when my mother ended up in the hospital in Los Angeles with a sudden emergency 7 years ago. She lost 4 pints of blood from a tumor in her stomach that the docs said had been slowly growing for years. Not malignant thank God. She almost died. We set a prayer chain in motion, as well as the Salt Lake City network, and put her name in the Mormon Temple. When the doctor came in to operate he said to her “I don’t know why I feel impressed to tell you this but I don’t think it will be my hands operating on you in there”
She is still with us. She is a lovely 90 years old now. The nurses said later they have never seen person with her type of blood loss and issues live to walk out of that hospital.
Prayer is an amazingly powerful thing.
Thank you for your story!!
Laura Morris
Salt Lake City, Utah
Laura Morris´s last [type] ..The Passion Project
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Nelson,
Thanks for writing this post , i find the information that you have shared of great value to the people that i connect with and going to pass this on to my tribe. I look forward to reading more from you.
Chris
Chris Bernardo´s last [type] ..How a Good Flash Intro Video increases leads.
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Nelson – I needed that kleenex on this one! What a powerful way to help a friend! You are so right – sometimes you just want to know someone is there for you without you haveing to talk back:) Great post as always!
Glyna Humm´s last [type] ..Shiny New Objects Aren’t Always a Bad Thing!
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Hi Nelson,
I am so glad that you had to recycle a post! This is an amazing tale and I am honored to have shared in it, if only by having read it. What a touching story of courage and faith! We need God more than ever when we are challenged, yet those are often the times that it is hardest to trust in his wisdom. Having others to “carry” us along at these times is a blessing in itself!
Thank you for passing this along.
Mentor Mama
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Nelson Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:09 am
Robert Bennett was an amazing man that GOD needed I guess more than us. His insights left blessings to us who remain. So glad you enjoyed.
Nelson´s last [type] ..“The Latchkey Kid”
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