The kindness of strangers: a nurse saw me crying and asked if I wanted a hug | Health & wellbeing

In 2024, I received a diagnosis of leukemia unexpectedly. I was 34 years old. I had no symptoms (none!) And it came to the worst time possible, although there is never a good time.

I am a musician and I was a week to fly in New Zealand to be in a show. I was extremely excited by the show and, to be organized, I thought I would have a blood test to check my iron levels before leaving the country for five weeks.

Six hours after the blood test, I received a call from my doctor telling me that something was wrong. I was what was called neutropenic. In simple terms, it meant that I did not have an immune system and I had to go immediately to the hospital.

It made no sense. I was by sparing, at the school party of my nieces and at the pub the day before. The doctor said to wear two masks and stand outside or I could not survive an infection – which looked like an excessive ridiculous reaction for what I was sure to be a mixed test. This was not the case. After entering this hospital, I would no longer leave it for six weeks.

Around 7 p.m. that evening, I was told that I had cancer (who knew they had emergency hematologists?). The diagnosis was completely overwhelming. Although my family is incredible, they were not close to this night. A friend had come for a few hours to help translate what doctors said when I was in shock. But I was alone in my hospital bed when I woke up around 3 am and everything suddenly hit me. All what I could think of is that not only I was not going to New Zealand, but that I also had cancer, and it was going to kill me. It always seems to kill people in the movies – I ask you the writers to stop doing this. Many of us live.

While I was a spiral death, a nurse has passed and asked if I was going well. I was not. I just dissolved and, through tears, I explained what was going on. He asked if I wanted a hug. I did it, and I never needed it more in my life. His name was well.

This night was probably the most frightening part of my time with cancer – I am now in remission. I never saw Ben again but his name marked me during the six weeks in the hospital and eight months of chemo. His kind act meant the world for me then, and always means the world for me now.

What is the most beautiful thing that a foreigner has ever done for you?

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