The Goodbyes

I've worked at the hospital in Ashland since 1978 with a year break in '84 after having my last kiddo. I returned in July of '85.  Over those years many physicians have come and gone. Most of the ones that were here when I started are now retired, moved, or passed away.  Some of the ones that replaced those have also left for different reasons.  We're in transition with the merging of our hospital to University Hospitals of Cleveland.   Lots of changes, some good, some not so good.  That's life, comings and goings.  In my final post of 2016 I said I hoped for more hellos than goodbyes.  I hate the goodbyes.  A meeting was called on Monday after our cases were done.  We had all sorts of speculation as to the announcement that was to be made.  Who was being promoted..demoted...schedule changes..all kind of chit chat about what was coming.  Never in a million years did we think it would be about one of our Docs leaving.  He's an OB/GYN that has been my Doc these many years.  He's a wonderful surgeon with really good laparoscopic skills.  A great guy to work with.   I might add that he's around 70yrs. old.   I know that sounds old, but you'd never know it to look at him or watch him work.  In December he decided to quit delivering babies and only do surgery for about 6 more months.  However, life often hands us surprises and when we were told he was retiring immediately, we were very surprised.  When they said it was because he has cancer...lung cancer that has spread to his spine...we were stunned.  I just worked with him last Friday and although he knew his diagnosis, he worked as usual.  Joking as usual, laughing and smiling.  He has a wonderful laugh!  I'm grateful I was able to be there for his final surgeries but sad I wasn't able to say goodbye.  He'll be concentrating on his treatments and being with his family.   Prayers and hope go with him from all of us, his surgery family.   He will be missed.