Everybody Has A Story: This one belongs to Alfred

Alfred is a tall elderly man. He needed to talk to somebody. I was there. In ten minutes, this is what I learned about his life:

I'm 86 years old. 86! Been married for 65 years. My wife (looks up to Heaven with a tear in his eye) has cancer. She hasn't been to the store in 8 years.
I had cancer all up inside me. I went to the doctor and he checked to see if he had got it all. He sat me down and told me that they found two more! Imagine that. They have to go all up inside me again. I'm a war vet you know. Served over in Germany. Lost my buddy there. I had to come home because my son died. My wife (looks up to Heaven again) was there all alone. But then we had five girls. I met a man called John. He asked me if I was a vet. He told me he was going to get me a pension. Now my father, he was a professional boxer you know. He told me that you never take anything from anybody. You have to work for what you have! I renovated my house all by myself. It was a lot of work, but I did it. You know how much you'd have to pay a contractor to do it for you? No! You work hard and learn to do it yourself. You know where Swiss Chalet is? There's a nail salon right beside it. (Alfred is chewing some yellow stuff as he talks. Occasionally it spits out of his mouth. I'm gagging and stepping back but with each step back, he takes a step forward) They messed me up and I have infection all in my leg. (He pulls up his pant leg to reveal a swollen purple leg) Now everybody tells me that I should sue them but I'm just not that kind of man. My wife you know, (looks up to Heaven) She has cancer. And I'm not a rich man. But the doctors, they won't do anything. Wait! Are you married? Okay, good. I can tell you this. I wanted to tell you this. (Both hands in a cupping motion) My testicles are all swollen and red! They're huge and I can hardly walk. I went to the Hospital and they said that they couldn't look at them until January. I was livid! I could be dead by January! And you know my wife has cancer and I have to do all this stuff. I went there and sat in the chair for two hours for them to tell me that they wouldn't see me. (crying and shaking his hands) My testicles you know - they hurt. And for Christmas you know, if my wife and I make it to Christmas this year...I was praying to God. And you know I'm not a rich man but I have five daughters. And for Christmas this year on the 25th, I'm giving them each ten thousand dollars. I want to be alive to see what they do with it. (Alfred notice's the nametag on my chest and starts poking it with his finger - I'd not allow anyone else to poke at my boob like that, but the man just told me all about his testicles) Janet! I know a Janet. She lives in Arizona. Has four kids. Boys. Nice lady. (Looks at me as if he's wondering if I know Janet from Arizona) We went to visit back in '79. Lovely lady and she has a pool in her yard. (stops with the poking and spits some more yellow stuff at me. I throw up a little in my mouth and take another step back) Well, you're an angel. God bless you.

I wish him and his wife well and say goodbye. He hobbles away. I'm left with tears in my eyes. One part laughter, one part sadness, and one part trying not to vomit. And poor old Alfred - I can't stop thinking about him.