First Person: The beauty of the birds
photo: Courtesy of The Hagle FamilyChristina Hagle and her mother, Irene
Throughout this ordeal, my mom knew she could count on me. We always enjoyed a special bond: We worked, played and traveled together and shared the same passions. Being an only child, I was especially close to her. So we formed a team and fought her cancer together. I was always by her side, taking her to appointments for tests and treatments. During her early morning visits at the medical center, we would often see two ducks hanging out at the Spirit of Life® fountain near the entrance, which lifted our spirits. They often reminded us of ourselves.
Our travels to City of Hope did not produce the miracle we had sought, but they did bring us to an incredibly intelligent, compassionate and understanding physician: Arti Hurria, M.D. From the moment we met her, Dr. Hurria never sugar-coated my mom’s situation, but assured us that she would do everything that she could to help. I often saw Dr. Hurria perform small acts of kindness. I knew then that my mom was being treated at the right place by the right doctor. Medical appointments were never hurried or rushed. She always listened to us and made sure that mom and I felt comfortable and dignified. We truly felt like family.
Much of my mother’s will to keep fighting cancer, I believe, was due to Dr. Hurria’s personal connection with my mom. She convinced her to never give in to cancer or to stop doing what she loved. My mom always remained positive and never surrendered.
Sadly, my mother died Aug. 16, 2007. Despite losing her, I feel the staff at City of Hope embodies what every patient facing cancer needs. That’s why I created a research fund in my mother’s memory to support Dr. Hurria’s work. In further tribute, I placed a memorial plaque next to two cuddling birds atop a boulder on the City of Hope campus so everyone who sees it will know how special she was to me.
photo: Arti Hurria and Christina HagleDominic Nocera
Several weeks ago, I visited the Duarte campus again so that I could see the place where my mom’s recognition is located. To my surprise, Dr. Hurria joined me, and we shared a few tears and a little laughter.
Later that day, I walked through the Japanese Garden and saw two ducks perched on the center island, as if they were waiting for me. That sight triggered the memory of my mom and me always spotting those two ducks in the fountain. I knew then my journey with cancer had ended, as I took the sighting of the ducks as a sign from mom that she liked her memorial.
photo: P.CunninghamIrene Hagle’s memorial at City of Hope