Skip to main content

Chemo with Kathleen





After a recent chemo, where I was chaperoned by the always affable and charming Chris, my nurse Alicia queried “Who will be bringing you next time?”
Truly, the entire oncology staff was not only charmed by Chris, they were amazed at the intricate cross stitch stocking she was working on and then awed that it was her third and final work of art.

  I responded to Alicia (a new friend, really) that another friend would be bringing me and she remarked something like “you have a lot of wonderful friends”. To wit, I agree!

 Chris commented, “yes she does! Chemo with Kathleen!”

 Chemo with Kathleen. Sounds like a title to a book like "Tuesdays with Morrie" or "Me Before You", great books about friends stepping up to help a friend through illness and/or treatment. Only difference in this case would be that this sickie lives on to make more friends and to treasure the ones she has. 

What I’m discovering on these chemo days, aside from all the vital medical stuff I’m supposed to care about, is my friends are amazing people! Yesterday's chaperone was Jo who came after cleaning and preparing her boss' office for painting; she works as an office manager for a small church and has become the Pastor's organization guru (among many other things!). A heart of a caregiver, Jo has! I kicked her out after the Benadryl kicked in so I could nap and she could go back to help her Pastor.

 Another friend who drove me is the wife of our former Pastor. She has driven countless people to chemo or doctor's appointments and is herself a breast cancer survivor. She helps countless people to this day with small and large acts of kindness. Lois seemed to understand that on this particular chemo day, I needed solitude and a nap more than a friend to sit with me and she left to run errands. How did she intuit this other than through too many years of doing the just what she was doing for me?

 I discovered while talking with another friend chaperone, that she's a talented artist who likes to stretch her artistic boundaries by taking art classes in media she is unfamiliar with or uncomfortable using. She's in her 70s and enjoys learning new things, considers it a priority actually. I want to be like Marilyn when I'm in my 70s - not all complacent and comfortable but willing to expand my horizons.

 My sister, Kelli came and didn't draw on me with sharpies but drove all the way from Kohler Wisconsin to spend a lot of time watching me sleep (and taking pictures that she shared with family!). She also made dinner for us and kept me company for my first of the now-weekly chemo treatments. She too is a breast cancer survivor and I'm sure sitting with me brought back less-pleasant memories.

 I have a roster of friends that have signed up for Chemo with Kathleen. And more that have signed up to bring dinner on chemo Mondays. I have a roster of friends that have sent cards, flowers, gifts and messages. I have a roster of friends that I am grateful for beyond words. In this darker time of my life, while I battle this touch of cancer, they are providing light and love to help me fight the fight.

 Perfect time for some Carol King!

 You've Got a Friend
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

It's not a popularity contest, but ...

The Peri-Empty Nest Years

I am in the midst of a 'peri-empty nest syndrome'. Don't bother wondering where that syndrome came from - I just made it up. It's a combination of perimenopause and something else I can't quite remember right now. But that something I forgot was some sort of syndrome. My nest is slowly emptying. Michael is away at college and comes home on breaks; though he may get an internship this summer and not be home at all. Matthew as a junior is looking at colleges and is busy with a myriad of activities and friends and is home between the two (activities and friends). Delaney is busy with rehearsals, practices and friends in Holland - her new high school is there. And I am the mama bird at home in the nest that still needs to be cared for watching her birdies fly away or on test runs for the big fly-off. It is a strange feeling. Everyone I know that's an empty nester says it's great after the initial shock wears off (the dads say it takes about 30 minutes, the...
Post a Comment
Read more

The summer that wasn't

It's July 30. Summer, right? Wrong!!! In Michigan, we had our summer two weeks ago for about 10 days. Saw a recent post on Facebook that read:"You know you're in Michigan when you wear your bathing suit on Monday and your parka on Tuesday." We sweltered for a week or two and then were chilled again. That's where we are now. Chilling at 70. Weather aside, it no longer feels much like summer. The back-to-school ads, commercials, displays and talk have begun full-force. And I feel like I just got used to having the three-not-so-little Piggins home again and now I have to get them ready for school. Delaney has a little longer, but Michael leaves for Wayne State law in two weeks and Matthew for his sophomore year at DePauw in three.  I get the nest re-feathered and damn these 'baby' birds but they stay for too short a time then fly away. *sigh* Since this is the "glass half full" blog of a pseudo-Pollyanna, I will revert to thinking positively ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

I put my pride aside and got my ass off the grass and into the wheelchair. {I spent a couple minutes deciding whether to put an exclamation mark after that declaration or to put the period after that statement. I think the period better suits my mood about getting said ass into the wheelchair!} On July 4, Saugatuck has a wonderfully unique parade that includes quirky participants like the artsy-fartsy campers at OxBow art colony and the LGBT members of a local foundation along with the more traditional participants like Girl Scouts, fire trucks, and local politicians. It had been a couple years since I had been to the parade, this year, though, my Mom and sister were in town and I wanted to take them. So we loaded up in the van, including Kerri's wheelchair and my own. Once we parked, John asked if I wanted to use my chair and I initially balked but then remembered that it can be a long, hot parade and it might be better to have a place to sit. So, I acquiesced and took the cha...
2 comments
Read more