Todd’s Battle Against Cancer

A first-person reflection by Brittney Knox, Marketing Manager at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

Last week, I went with Ms. Denise, our volunteer coordinator, for a patient visit that blessed my spirit in more ways than one.

She informed me about a gentlemen battling cancer, who found a bit of joy in one of the paintings that are sold monthly as a fundraiser for Brookwood’s volunteers. When we walked in, Todd Mobley was so welcoming and willing to share his story about what the painting meant to him. “That picture spoke to me,” he said. “It’s going to help me beat cancer.”

Not only does Todd appreciate the art of others, but he is also a creative mind. Todd finds some peace in drawing and coloring photos, which can all be found hanging on his wall of motivation. Todd added that another component that has made his stay at Brookwood as best as possible are the nurses. “I couldn’t have gone to Heaven myself and picked them out and did a better job. They are truly God-sends,” he said. He also has received visits from our pet therapy teams.

During our visit, I remember asking Todd about his diagnosis and noticed he got a bit emotional. He shared that he had cancer in his lungs and that it has now spread to his spine. But, he said there was one thing that kept him faithful despite a sad time, “I know my God has got this. I gave it all to Him,” Todd said.

There’s a lot we can learn from Todd’s story. It was beautiful to witness the friendship of Todd and Ms. Denise, which it was a testament to how even employees who are non-clinical can still make a positive impact on the patient experience. But, we can’t forget the lesson of finding beauty in the arts. Art is a form of therapy for many patients and we have used it in various settings in the hospital. And, lastly, most of all, there is the testament of faith Todd is showcasing throughout his fight against cancer.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Todd, we are praying for your healing!