Over the weekend a Veteran with metastatic cancer came to the ED with obstructive jaundice and a lot of uncertainty about what was to come. Crystal got to know him in the ED and they began talking about their love of the fiddle. He started playing just a few months before his diagnosis and it has been a great source of strength and comfort for him throughout his journey with cancer. In fact, he has hopes to play an event this year. He often brings his fiddle to the hospital and plays in the clinic and his room when admitted. He brings hope to those around him through his love of music and he loves to connect with others on a personal level through this love.
This admission, he wasn't feeling much like playing, but Crystal knew how important it was to him and offered to bring her fiddle in and play for him. She came to his bedside, on her own time and played not only for him, but with him. Once she started playing, he couldn't resist. When I saw him a few days later, he was giddy in telling me this story stating "it was so meaningful to me for her to come and share that with me. She helped me so I could pick up my fiddle again. She really made my day. She made this hard time, a little easier. I will never forget that."