When I was undergoing my chemo treatments years ago I spent a lot of time walking the halls restlessly looking for something to pique my interest. I'd show up each time with my bag of clothes, and and a big duffle bag of amusements, and my friend's portable stereo that he lent me. The nurses always used to laugh at me. I figured if I was going to be there I was NOT going to be bored. I'd bring books to read, magazines I hadn't gotten to, CD's, crossword books, among other things.. (You get the idea). I spent a lot of time across the hall from my room in an empty room on the phone talking to friends. I never seemed to be as ill as the person they put in the room with me, and I had to stay active. The nurses nicknamed me Sunshine. I guess I amused them.
My first treatment was a week before my 25th birthday. For my birthday that year I'd asked Dad for slippers cause the nurses were giving me heck for not having slippers walking on the floors there.
Dad did not dissapoint. We were down in Birch Bay Washington for the day, and we spotted these huge teddybear slippers. Each one looked like a teddybear in it's own right but they were huge slippers. He bought them and we brought them home. From that day on he'd tell me that my dirty bears were looking up my dress.. ROFL.
At another point a friend of mine had asked if there was anything that he could bring and I teased about real food.. so he and another mutual friend showed up at visiting hours with a halloween happy meal from McDonald's. OMG I laughed so hard. It was totally unexpected but it was amusing.
So you have to picture this heavyset woman with no hair, huge feet, and a happy meal purple pumpkin on her IV pole wandering around the cancer agency on a daily basis.
I was not sick, I was not going to just lie down and be. I really believe that they pair the very sick with the not so on purpose. Have thought about that a lot. The very sick leave you with a real feeling of how fortunate you really are, while the less sick give the others hope.
I still remember the first person I met going into the cancer agency. Mary.. she was such a sweetheart. She talked a lot about treatments, her life, and she told me about the patient library. We talked for hours and hours. I only ever saw her that one time, and I've often wondered what became of her. I wish I'd have thought to give her my phone number or something.. but I never thought of it.
Makes me think about the old adage about people coming into your life for a reason, or a season.. I'll have to dig that out again..
My first treatment was a week before my 25th birthday. For my birthday that year I'd asked Dad for slippers cause the nurses were giving me heck for not having slippers walking on the floors there.
Dad did not dissapoint. We were down in Birch Bay Washington for the day, and we spotted these huge teddybear slippers. Each one looked like a teddybear in it's own right but they were huge slippers. He bought them and we brought them home. From that day on he'd tell me that my dirty bears were looking up my dress.. ROFL.
At another point a friend of mine had asked if there was anything that he could bring and I teased about real food.. so he and another mutual friend showed up at visiting hours with a halloween happy meal from McDonald's. OMG I laughed so hard. It was totally unexpected but it was amusing.
So you have to picture this heavyset woman with no hair, huge feet, and a happy meal purple pumpkin on her IV pole wandering around the cancer agency on a daily basis.
I was not sick, I was not going to just lie down and be. I really believe that they pair the very sick with the not so on purpose. Have thought about that a lot. The very sick leave you with a real feeling of how fortunate you really are, while the less sick give the others hope.
I still remember the first person I met going into the cancer agency. Mary.. she was such a sweetheart. She talked a lot about treatments, her life, and she told me about the patient library. We talked for hours and hours. I only ever saw her that one time, and I've often wondered what became of her. I wish I'd have thought to give her my phone number or something.. but I never thought of it.
Makes me think about the old adage about people coming into your life for a reason, or a season.. I'll have to dig that out again..
Replies
I spent more time than I ever wanted at the cancer agency visiting with my best friend Sam while she was getting chemo. She never let it get her down and would make sure she had stuff to keep her occupied. I would have stayed there almost the whole time except I was trying to keep her fiance\'s spirits up too and get him to spend time there. He had his own problems. The people at the cancer agency are great. There is a great atmosphere there, or at least it was while I was there with my friend.
She made a couple friends there, though one did not make it. :-( It was also someone I had met there on a few of her rounds of chemo. The Nurses let her know he had passed.
wow--I am still so amazed by your posts.
your a true inspiration of strength and humor
yes you created a visual picture of some one i\'d just love to meet.
lets keep in touch.
i\'ll put my friend ck here so you can go ck out my site and see if we have some things in common and would like to be friends.
it\'s just easier for me to find and add replys also if a friend get alerts of you posts..so up to you
Judy L
Done :) Thanks very much for your kindness. I look forward to getting to know you.
I am new to this website and I am looking for someone who has experience with Ovarian Cancer to talk to. You seem so positive and a person who has the experience I am looking for. I am 37 and found out I have Ovarian Cancer last Nov. I am now going thur agressive chemo. and seem to be responding well to it. If you have the time I would enjoy talking with you on the computer
Sure JulierRae Anytime!