Holiday healing for the heart
Holiday healing for the heart

By Brian Sargent Comments 0
Published: November 23, 2007

Robert Hollier sat in the living room of his northeast Oklahoma City home on Thursday, as he had done on many previous Thanksgivings.

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Robert Hollier is handed his granddaughter Makayla, 7 months, by his wife, Ella, at the Hollier family home Oklahoma City on Thursday. Hollier stays at the Norman Veterans Center but was taken by EMSA to be with his family for Thanksgiving. By MATT STRASEN, THE OKLAHOMAN

This year was more special than previous holidays, though. When Hollier crossed a side door threshold shortly before 4 p.m., it was the first time since July 2006 that Hollier had been home.

Hollier, a 61-year-old Vietnam War veteran, is battling a fast-growing meningioma — a benign, slow-growing non-cancerous tumor. He has spent the past few years in hospitals and long-term nursing care centers, including the previous 10 months at the Norman Veterans Center.

"You just don't know how much it means to me. Words can't explain it, how happy it makes me to be here,” he said.

Hollier was most looking forward to spending time with his family.

"Really, the food is secondary,” he said. "But I'm looking forward to that, too. Having some home cookin'.”

Robert Hollier visited with his wife, Ella, daughter Lori and grandchildren Sabrina, Kameron and Makayla. Coincidentally, Robert and Ella Hollier celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary Thursday.

"I told her to set the date, and she set it on the opening day of quail season. I said, ‘Oh, no, you can't have that one. I'll marry you the next day,'” Robert Hollier said. "And I didn't miss opening day.”

He almost didn't get to go home for Thanksgiving.

Wednesday night, he was taken to Norman Regional Hospital because he had a kidney stone.

"It was very painful. I didn't think I was going to be able to make the trip. Lo and behold, they gave me the medication and here I am,” he said.

Similar circumstances have previously kept him from seeing his home.

"There always seems to be an obstacle in the way. We keep running into closed doors,” he said.

"I can't give up. It's perserverance and prayer. Trust in the Lord. That's what keeps me going. It's the carrot that's dangling out there.”

Medics look forward to helping

Two paramedics — Tom McMahon and Wes Hester — volunteered to come in on their day off to escort Robert Hollier to the family dinner, said Lara O'Leary, Emergency Medical Services Authority spokeswoman.

"We decided this year with the war that the veterans should be honored in some way. This seemed like a perfect way to honor them,” O'Leary said.

"Most of the medics see stories that are so tragic from start to finish. It's difficult on their psyche. Over time, it can be a bit depressing. When we have an opportunity to be involved in something so positive, it really lifts their spirits. It really gives them a feeling of making someone really happy rather than just easing pain. Medics jump at the chance to do this.”

O'Leary said EMSA has asked ambulance companies across the state and nation to provide a charity transport on Thanksgiving Day.

"You sort of forget that in this industry, you have the opportunity to really make an impact in a positive way,” she said.

With EMSA's help, Robert Hollier spent three hours with his family.

The medics' generosity is appreciated, Ella Hollier said.

She said her favorite part of the day would be watching a Western movie next to her husband.

"That's what we used to do. That's what we really had in common,” she said.

"I couldn't imagine not doing what I've had to do for him. I just hope my health holds up, and I can continue what needs to be done.”