Jennifer and I made our way to Piedmont Hospital and the
usual prep began. Eventually, I was rolled into the operating room where I met the
Da Vinci Robot, who was going to partner with the doctor during the surgery.
Being sedated, I think I asked the robot how it was doing.
I dozed off, opened my eyes and learned that six hours had
passed.
At the time, I remember some discomfort, but it was somewhat
manageable with the help of Sister Morphine.
Here I lie in my hospital bed
Tell me, Sister Morphine, when are you coming round again?
Oh, I don't think I can wait that long
Oh, you see that I'm not that strong ~ The Rolling Stones
And I rested.
When I would awaken, a nurse, or Jennifer, would usually be
standing by my bed, trying to get me up and walking. I wanted no part of that.
On the second day of this surgical journey, I met a nurse
named Joel Bond. I will never forget him, or the mystical experience his visit
became. I only connected with Joel for that brief stay at Piedmont, but his
effect on me completely changed my life.
Joel was often very busy when he’d drop by to check on me,
but he’d still take a moment and pull a chair up beside my bed and chat for a
couple of minutes. He’d joke and he’d give me some encouraging words before he
rushed away again; always promising to check on me in a while and always
keeping his promise.
I had some minor complications that kept me in the hospital
for a few days, but Joel was there every day. And on the third day after my
visit to the cave (Hero’s Journey), Joel came in smiling. He pulled his chair
up and said, “I’m so happy.”
I had no idea what he was referring to. “About?” I asked.
“Oh, I’ve seen your path,” he said, “You are going to live a
long time.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. But I did not have
time to ask him to clarify; my doctor walked in.
“We’ve got your pathology report back Mark.” Said Dr. Wong.
Joel put his hand over his mouth, “I thought you knew. I let
it slip.” He said.
Oh… Okay, path is short for pathology. Right.
“We got it all and we won’t need to do anything more.” Said
Dr. Wong, “We are just going to monitor your PSA a while. You’ll die of
something one day, but not prostate cancer.”
With that, Dr. Wong walked out and Joel said, “I am so
sorry. I thought you already knew.”
I told Joel I had no idea that “path” meant “pathology” and
we had a laugh about that.
“I may not see you anymore.” Said Joel, “This is not my
floor. I’m upstairs if you need me. After I met you, I asked them if I could
stay on this floor until I knew you were going to be okay, but I’ve got to get
back now.”
Joel gave me a pat on the arm and said, “It has been fun.
You are going to be fine.”
I’ve not seen him since.
As soon as Joel walked out, it was easy for me to believe I’d
just had a mystical experience, based on a true story.
The name Joel comes from the same source that gives us the
word “jewel” It means: The Lord is God.
The word “Bond”, Joel’s last name, means: uniting power or influence;
or a method of laying bricks.
The path? It is not really short of pathology in this story.
It is Joseph Campbell’s path of a hero; which we are all called to travel on
from time to time. It is the journey which every life-story is based on, for
every individual. George Lucas wrote Star Wars based on The Hero’s Journey. To
me, it seems clear that Lucas uses Luke to tell of his own journeys. Whether
you see it or not, you’ll be called out on a journey. You won’t want to go. You’ll
meet others, the way I met Joel Bond, and you’ll find yourself in a cave, where
you have to deal with your fears. Your Joel, or your Yoda or your mentor, will
help you to discover your strength.
“My ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life
creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us, binds us. Luminous beings
are we, not this crude matter.” ~ Yoda
