My Cancer Adventure Day today was a day
full of little reminders that I should be thankful for my lot in this icky Cancer world. Funny how God is always willing to speak to us if we are just willing to listen.
1. First, the RMCC asked me to fill out a North Dakota Cancer Coalition Patient-Survivorship Survey. It's to help them understand the challenges that cancer patient are experiencing. It had questions about the difficulty of setting appoitments, distance and travel costs, lodging costs, lack of insurance, out of pocket costs, lost wages, lack of personal support system, etc. Writing a 1, meant it was a
minor challenge. Notice how many
1s I wrote! I have been a bit whiney lately about my stinky cancer adventure but obviously I have had it easy. It made me realize how very blessed I have been and how much more difficult it could have been. Funny how a survey could put life in perspective. LOL
2. Also while I was in the waiting room, I sat across from a cute little crying bald lady. She had to be younger than me and was by herself. I tried to give her privacy as she poured her heart out to one of the nurses. But couldn't help but overhear her list of trials she's been experiencing- throwing up, achy body, sadness, and being all alone. My heart went out to her. It didn't come to my mind until later but I wish I would have asked her if she knows about the Breast Friends Support group or if she wants to my on my GNO list. I can't imagine being deathly sick and doing it alone. In my Cancer Adventure,
my symptoms have been minimal and I am very grateful for that!
Now onto Herceptin....
3. Another gentle reminder happened as I rolled my eyes. (I guess at that point I wasn't seeing the "I am blessed" trend) The eye roll was because when they took me back to the Infusion Center, there was no room in the
Inn room for me. (or as one of the nurses called it... "The Hole" because it is the most crowded room at the center) I had already waited over 25 minutes to even get back there and then there still wasn't room for me. Grrrr! However, it turns out that one of the nurses was giving some extra care to one of the patients because the lady was all alone and having a hard day so they had me wait in the hall. I have been very lucky to have the
support of friends and family through this whole ordeal. I can't complain about standing in the hall for a little bit. And besides I just went around and visited some of my favorite nurses while I waited for a chair. I love having a connection with these ladies. Love them!
4. Today, Linda was my Herceptin nurse. She was very impressed with my
med list. "Normal" cancer patients usually have a humongously long list of medications on their chart. But mine (thanks Panwalker for taking all the unneeded ones off for me) is
almost non-existent. I believe on my list, there is only a daily vitamin and Advil as needed. More proof that I am very fortunate in this Adventure of mine.
5. Nurse Linda heated me up good to prepare me for my IV. And I mean REALLY heated me up. (Which was great since it's freezin' here in Fargo and I am stuck here because of this cancer crap!) First, she had me turn on the heat on my chair. Then she covered me up with a heated blanket on my lap as well as one around my shoulders. She also put a heating pad under and over my hand and let me
cook for a bit. Wowzers! But it must have been the magic because it worked. The IV went in on the first try! Yeah!
Although that is a miracle in and of itself, it also reminded me how lucky I am to have caught the cancer in the first place and early on to boot. God had been
"warming us up" sort to speak for the little Adventure He was sending us on. I'm grateful for the prep in our financial, emotional and spiritual self's in order to kick Cancer's butt on the first try! We were very blessed!
6. This one was just funny! The man in the chair next to me (only separated by a sheet hanging from the ceiling) was watching some dumb Talk show. You know the kind- the one with the bouncers, the screaming wifes and the lie detectors. What better way to find out if that man is the Father than to get a DNA test on national television, right? Depressing! He had it up so loud that I'm sure that
everyone in the Cancer Center could hear it. At first it was just irritating and annoying to listen to it but then I got to thinking how very blessed I am. In spite of
my little bump in the road, I have
a perfect life. That's the kind of things that should be on talk shows!
7. Heather, the Resident Artist came to visit me again.. She asked me if I'd like to do an art project. I love Artsy stuff! It was like I was in art class. I got a paint smock, gloves and supplies. We crafted, chatted, laughed and took pictures. All my favorite stuff. I've been a bit of a slacker on the artsy department since my diagnosis. It's like all that stuff I absolutely LOVE got put on the back burner. Today I made a
little Shining star of HOPE. A little reminder that the stinky Cancer stuff is almost out of the way and I can get back to all the things I truly love! Thanks Heather!
Not bad for one morning of being willing to listen to God's voice, don't ya think? I have been so very blessed in my Breast Cancer Journey and I am grateful for my lot!
No comments:
Post a Comment