Hope Still Lives

Over the years, I’ve come to expect certain constants in my clinic. The morning coffee that’s never quite strong enough. The shuffle of patients in and out with their stories, their laughter, and sometimes their tears. And, of course, one particular patient who—no matter the season—shows up dressed head to toe in Dallas Cowboys gear.

I’m talking cap, shirt, sweatpants, and even socks—all proudly displaying that famous blue star. Win or lose, rain or shine, he’s always represented his team like a walking billboard for Cowboys Nation.

But this past week, something was different.

When he walked through the door, I almost didn’t recognize him. No navy blue. No silver. Not a single star in sight. Just a plain grey sweatshirt and jeans.

I raised an eyebrow. “No Cowboys gear today?”

He shrugged, looking down at the floor.
“Those Cowboys,” he muttered.

That’s all he had to say. We both knew exactly what he meant. Another tough loss. Another Sunday heartbreak.

For a moment, I could feel his frustration. That quiet, loyal disappointment that only true fans understand—the kind that doesn’t turn into anger but into a weary sigh and a shake of the head.

But the next day, I saw something that made me smile.

Not one, not two, but three patients rolled through the clinic sporting their Cowboys caps like badges of honor. Grinning, talking stats, still believing. Hope hadn’t packed up and left after all.

Because that’s the thing about Cowboys fans—they don’t just root for a team. They live it. They ride the highs and lows together, and even when they’re frustrated, that star still shines somewhere deep inside.

So maybe my longtime patient just needed a week off from the wardrobe. Maybe he’s washing his lucky socks for the next game. Either way, I know he’ll be back—blue, silver, and all.

After all, hope still lives.

And speaking of hope—
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, tune in to our latest podcast episode of Skin, Self, and Everything Else, titled “Radiation, Restaurants, and Reveling in Alone Time.”

In this episode, we dive into the benefits of superficial radiation therapy—a non-invasive, no-recovery, scarless, and painless approach to skin cancer treatment with an incredible 97–99% cure rate. It’s a hopeful reminder that effective treatment doesn’t always mean surgery or downtime.

Of course, we also squeeze in some lighter conversation—chatting about one of our new favorite Dallas restaurants and the simple joy of spending time in the present.

Because whether it’s about football, food, or finding healing, a little bit of hope goes a long way. 💙⭐