Drive for Five: Angelic Laborers

Labor Day 2024. A time to take a break from our labors and salute those who take care of all the stuff many take for granted like disposing trash, plowing streets, building homes, manufacturing goods, growing food and tons of other stuff that would make this sentence even longer.

Your scribe intentionally omitted one very important crew of laborers. Health care workers. In the 18-months post diagnosis of a rare bone marrow disorder called Amyloidosis? To chemo for this incurable pest/killer to life-preserving dialysis to an incredible human being sharing their spare and saving my life? I'd be dead without these gems.

Health care workers, especially those on the front lines dealing with sick and grumpy people all day. The nurses who poke the arm, measure the vitals and care about the well-being on the illness-stricken human before them? Angelic laborers.

In this space it’s been mentioned often about the thankfulness for the wonderful care this 66-year-old dude has received at AdventHealth Colorado and UC Health Anschutz for the fight against Amy and, with dialysis, fight against kidney disease and, with transplant, a counter punch. Didn't ask for 'em but got two for the price of one.

Regardless of where these medical challenges took darling wife and goofy hubby, the care has been top shelf. I know that’s not necessarily the case for others and is a big part of what the "Drive for Five" Network advocates for: more equitable access to the care necessary to fight nasty stuff like kidney disease and Amyloidosis.

I’ve learned a bit from hanging out with all the, front-line, medical professionals helping this grateful ol’ man navigate significant health issues. I’m just one of many - too many probably - front line caregivers engage with daily. Again, this is not an easy work environment given the stress, anxiety and setbacks associated with severe illness.

99% of the superstars drawing my blood and all the other basic stuff? Women. Not many dudes chose nursing as a profession. Went online and, according to Nurse Journal, the numbers nationally are 12% male. Not so in my orbit. The past year and a half? With all the pokes and prods? Many caregivers. I can remember ONE male. Women dominate in this industry and it makes sense, at least for this simple dude from Missouri.

Women are nurturers. They create life in their bodies. I’m chucking about the previous sentence after writing it. It makes me think of something Hall of Fame football coach Bill McCartney has bellowed a zillion times at least. Women know how to create and care for life better than us knuckleheads. Mac would always bark, speaking of men, “We were just having fun!” Amen brother.

All these superstars have played a major role in this lucky fellas second-lease on life thanks to an empathetic woman residing in Pueblo. Her hubby needed help. She tried but not a good match. Shared anyway. I got it! The incredible gesture also moved her hubby to the top of the list for a more compatible donor. It’s called the “voucher” system. Here’s more info. https://www.kidneyregistry.com/for-donors/voucher-program/

Curious by nature and trained as a journalist, many questions pour from my lips while a caring young woman pricks an arm. I’m lucky to have no vein issues and have a “mega” vein in my right arm. May it forever dwell!

The stories I hear from the caregivers about their lives. There’s issues too and then to have to come to work and deal with sickly folks? That ain’t easy. The other day, while at AdventHealth Porter for a weekly blood draw, I heard a fantastic story about the woman behind the needle.

She is a clothes designer. “Growing up in a big family, we’d go to thrift stores and buy adult clothing on the cheap. Then we cut, snip and sew them in children’s clothes. We had a big family.” Wow, how cool.

Fascinating woman continues informing how this experience has led her to design clothes. She was talking about a recent successful fashion show. Her talents and gifts shined brightly. You could tell by the beaming joy radiating from within her. Beautiful.

Health care workers. Laborers with life-saving talents and inspiring gifts. This day’s for YOU!