The Nurse's Dream

written by Anthony DeCarvalho



Charlie Olkason had lived a good life, by modern standards. He was married, had two beautiful children, and was held in high regard by his community. Charlie Olkason gave to charity; Charlie Olkason mowed his lawn; Charlie Olkason played catch with his son.

Charlie Olkason was dying of brain cancer.

His wife, Margie, cried to God every night, begging for a cure. "Why did this happen to him? He's such a good man! He doesn't deserve this!" she would pray, night after night. Then she would read about Jesus, and how he cried, only to say "Thy will be done" afterwards.

Surely, Margie thought, it was God's will for her kids to have their father for many years to come.



Shanita Williams had been a nurse in the Cancer Ward at Arlington Hospital for three years. During that time, she had grown numb to the death and despair around her. "You become comfortable with it," she told a friend once. "Working there, you really begin to see how death is a natural part of life."

One night, during Shanita's lunch break, a stranger approached her table. "Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked.

"No, no. Not at all." Shanita usually ate alone. She studied the face of the person taking a seat across from her. "Are you new here?"

"Uh, yes. I just started training yesterday. I'm in the Cardiac ward."

"Oh. I'm in Cancer."

"I see."

"My name is Shanita. You are...?"

"Dace. Dace Senoit." They shook hands.

"Nice to meet you, Dace. That's a rather peculiar name."

"My mom made it up. She said it sounded French."

Shanita chuckled.



That night, Shanita stopped in Mr. Olkason's room at the end of visitor's hours. Mr. Olkason's wife was there again, Shanita noticed. There were flowers all around Mr. Olkason's bed. Shanita marveled at how loved Mr. Olkason was.

"Well, Mrs. Olkason," Shanita began, "I hear your husband is coming home Friday."

"Yes," Margie answered.

Shanita walked over, and continued, "It's really good for him to be home, Mrs. Olkason. It's for the best."

"Don't tell me what's best!" snapped Margie.

"I'm ... I'm sorry, Mrs. Olkason." Shanita didn't move, not knowing what to do.

Mrs. Olkason shook her head and said, "I've been through too much. It's not your fault. Sorry."



That night, Shanita ran into Dace in the parking lot. After exchanging pleasantries, Dace asked, "Shanita, what's it like working in the Cancer ward?"

"Well, it's humbling. You really see how fragile life is -- how quickly we can be brought down from good health to ... death."

Dace was silent.

"Isn't Cardiac pretty much the same way, Dace?"

"Well, yes, in a way -- except there's more hope. Not much ... but more, nonetheless. The families always figure you can clear an artery, or replace a vein. In Cancer...."

"In Cancer, you either catch it in time, or you don't."

"And," said Dace, "in the case of Charlie...."

"Wait. How do you know know about Charlie?"

"Oh, I overheard this woman talking on a cell phone about her husband."

"Yes. She was pretty upset when she left tonight."

"How do you handle that?" asked Dace.

"It's tough to see. You know, in some ways, it's almost easier to watch someone die than to watch the rest of the family that lives on! Some families, like the woman you saw, don't handle the inevitable well."



That night, Shanita dreamed of her kids and a possible solution to Mr. Olkason's physical ailment. Shanita awoke smiling, as if a great burden had been lifted from her. Unfortunately, she could not remember the dream that caused her to feel so relieved.



"Hello, Mrs. Olkason," said Shanita. "I hope you're feeling better."

"Oh, hello," Margie answered. "I'm ... better. Thanks."

Mrs. Olkason was packing Charlie's belongings -- he was going home tomorrow.



Shanita ran into Dace at the lunch counter. "Fancy seeing you again, Dace." She was beginning to like him.

"Likewise."

The two sat together, talking and eating dinner. During their conversation, Dace struck a nerve that would forever change Shanita's life.

"So," Dace began, "how's your kids?"

"Kids? How did you know...." Shanita stopped, as she began to remember what caused her to smile when she woke up that morning. "Kids ... that's it!"



Margie was already heading towards the elevator when Shanita caught up with her.

"Mrs. Olkason!" Shanita yelled as she ran after Margie. "Wait!"

Margie turned around, alarmed. "Is something wrong with Charlie?"

"No," answered Shanita,"no. I wanted to tell you something before you left -- something I just remembered."

"What?"

"Have your kids seen your husband since he was diagnosed with Cancer?"

"No," answered Margie, "Charlie didn't want the kids to see him this way. We were planning on taking them to their grandparents tonight."

"that's a mis.... It's my experience, Mrs. Olkason, that patients that see their young kids do better."

"Really?"

Shanita nodded. "Your husband doesn't realize it, but he needs to see his kids. I know it sounds crazy, but...."

"No, it's not that crazy," answered Margie. "The kids have been wanting to see him ... and maybe it would be for the best. I don't know if it would help him, but I think it would be best if the kids saw their father."

"I agree," said Shanita.



Two months later, Shanita received a call from Margie. "Charlie's doing better," she said, "and I just wanted to let you know that I think seeing the kids helped him!"

Shanita was glad. The doctors were amazed at how quickly Charlie Olkason's cancer had gone into remission. "It's one of those stories that make you believe there's a God," one doctor said to Shanita.

Shanita called the Cardiac ward. She wanted to tell Dace the good news ... but she found out that Dace no longer worked there. In fact, no one by the name of Dace Senoit had ever worked there.



That night, when Shanita arrived at her car in the parking lot, she found a note under the windshield wiper. It read:

Shanita,

I know about your dream -- your children inspired you, as all children inspire parents who love their kids.

My "job" is done here. There are others who need my help.

You will have other dreams. Use them.


Love,

Dace



Shanita cried all the way home. If there was a God, then surely Dace Senoit was one of His angels.



Margie prayed that night for her little angels, and her husband's continued good health. She believed God had answered her prayers, and she was eternally grateful.