We’ve talked about the worst things people have said to you since you’ve had cancer which oddly wasn’t as funny as I thought it was going to be. Turns out people can be downright mean. They can also be wonderfully kind, caring and compassionate and I thought we could dwell on that tonight.
So here are some of the really nice things that people did for me when I got cancer.
~I was going to take a car service to and from the hospital for my surgery (it’s what I do) but a friend of mine just wouldn’t let that happen. When I needed another surgery 10 days later she said “What time do we need to be there?”
~My friends arranged sort of phone trees between themselves to update on how I was and to coordinate bringing me meals. Twice they had to do this. Most bought me portions large enough to eat for more than one day.
~ Two different people at 2 different time bought bags of groceries. All of the holistic things I like to eat.
~One friend brought dinner, scented candles, magazines and thank you notes, all in a lovely basket.
~One of the anesthesia nurses ran interference for me in my second surgery, with a new anesthesiologist so I didn’t have to argue again for the drugs I wanted. (I fell in love with that woman! I wanted her to be my new best friend.)
~A guy from work ran interference at the radio station my show was at, knowing I didn’t want a bunch of people over at my house he kept avoiding the subject of “What is her address?”
~Some people went to great lengths to cut up fruits and veggies and leave them at my door without knocking.
~One of the nurses at my surgeons was so kind and gentle as she redressed me several times a week after my visits.
~Many, many people left me alone a lot more than they were comfortable with because they knew that’s what I really wanted.
~My Physicians Assistant took every phone call from me even if I was calling because I was worried about what I might have said in surgery.
~A friend of mine who admitted he is no good with yucky medical stuff hired lawyers who prevented B of A from taking my house while I was down and out. Even bigger than that, he came to a support group where the yucky medical stuff was talked about just to support me. (About a year later his wife got cancer also so I like to think mine was prep work for him.)
~My neighbors helped me take my trash out.
~Many of my clients paid me even though I didn’t work for a few months. When I started boarding dogs while I was still a bit out of it but well enough to feed and pet a dog, my clients either hugged me when they left or said goodbye and put one or two hands on their heart. I just love that gesture.
So what were some of the nice things people did and said to you?
Monday Night Cancer Club is a Daily Kos group focused on dealing with cancer, primarily for cancer survivors and caregivers, though clinicians, researchers, and others with a special interest are also welcome. Volunteer diarists post Monday evenings between 7-8 PM ET on topics related to living with cancer, which is very broadly defined to include physical, spiritual, emotional and cognitive aspects. Mindful of the controversies endemic to cancer prevention and treatment, we ask that both diarists and commenters keep an open mind regarding strategies for surviving cancer, whether based in traditional, Eastern, Western, allopathic or other medical practices. This is a club no one wants to join, in truth, and compassion will help us make it through the challenge together.