NOCH patients, staff enjoy 'friendship tree'

Fri, May 9, 2008    to del.icio.us

A Grand Haven woman so loved looking at a small flowering tree outside the window of the ambulatory care services clinic at North Ottawa Community Hospital when she was receiving treatment for cancer three times each week, she decided to make it even more special.

Judy David, now a cancer survivor — along with her husband, Ken — decorate the courtyard tree many times each year. The decorations reflect the season or holiday at the time, but the theme always features birds and small birdhouses.

While David no longer needs to come to the clinic for treatments, the many patients that do enjoy what they call "the friendship tree," said clinic nurse Sue VerBerkmoes.

"Judy was told that she was going to be coming here the rest of her life, three days a week (for cancer treatments)," VerBerkmoes said. "But it turned out that she didn't have to do that anymore. It was kind of a miracle. She is a survivor.

"So she took it upon herself to come back on every holiday with her husband, and they decorate the tree for every holiday — Christmas, Easter, spring," the nurse said.

While getting treatments, David befriended another cancer patient, Almeda Russell, also of Grand Haven.

"It is hard to explain how one little tree could make such a difference to the patients who visit the clinic, but it is the highlight of the day for most of us," said Russell, who still must receive treatments at the clinic several times each week. "Thank you Judy and Ken for this little bit of happiness."