Support for the Journey...

THE MATTER 

OF A GAS CARD

Lisa Manzini-Pace, LCSW

   Hope Cancer Resources    

The patient was tall and solid with a weathered and wise face.  He asked for the Social Worker after finishing his chemo treatment at the oncology clinic.  He drove to his daily treatments  from somewhere well into Oklahoma.  The previous week he had called in advance and a gas card had been left at the reception desk.  This no nonsense man had anticipated the same thing this week.

The social worker invited him to her small office in the clinic and explained that a gas card could be given to him in person as well.  The patient indicated that time was an important factor and asked again about how to arrange for it in advance.   He sat for a while after having been issued the gas card.  The social worker asked him a little about himself.  He wasn’t a big talker but indicated that his wife had severe medical issues and would soon require surgery in Fayetteville.  They commiserated on the complexities of health and medical care.  The man had a pleasant sense of humor and they laughed a little.

Each week on the same day he would ask to see the social worker for his gas card.  She learned where he was from originally, the work he had done, about his family and more.  He was not a natural talker but seemed to enjoy the little chats.  The social worker found them pleasant as well.  He liked to laugh despite the hardships of his situation.

In later visits the patient confided that his wife wasn’t doing well.  He, however, appeared to bear up quite well despite his treatments.  They talked about the news.  It had been a turbulent couple of weeks in the nation and the world.

                

Last week the patient asked the social worker if something was wrong.  This surprised her because there had been a serious occurrence but she felt she had concealed her sadness.  She explained about the death of a young man, a senseless and tragic event.  The patient nodded with understanding.   He knew about loss.  He had been in Vietnam.  His kindness was apparent.  He later confided that his wife’s situation was even more complicated.  The social worker offered reassurance and walked him out.  As he was leaving, the man turned back with a sad smile and said, “See you next week.”