Thursday, November 21, 2013
The life of a 20-something cancer patient: All The Comforts of Home
The life of a 20-something cancer patient: All The Comforts of Home: It's no surprise that dealing with cancer, or any kind of illness, is uncomfortable. Your taste for food changes, the way things smell ...
All The Comforts of Home
It's no surprise that dealing with cancer, or any kind of illness, is uncomfortable. Your taste for food changes, the way things smell changes, the way things feel begin to freak you out. It is a whirlwind of change that is endlessly frustrating. Each day, I find something new that bothers one of my senses. It's almost like being reborn, and experiencing scents, tastes, and touches for the first time. What I once knew to be true, is no longer.
The biggest change has been in my wardrobe. Most fabrics make my skin crawl. It is an absolutely awful feeling, so my clothing options have greatly decreased. Most days, I feel like a slob because my fashion has been reduced to clothing only made of 100% cotton. Make-up has become obsolete, and my jewelry is minimal. I feel like a big, puffy blob of cotton-covered cancer. The image is disturbing, I know.
Over that years, I have learned what types of things comfort me. I do my best to surround myself with the items that lift my spirits, and make me forget about daily struggles. The single most impactful product I have found is; the candle. I know it may sound weird, but lighting a candle, and filling my surroundings with delightful scents, brings me to a calm, and centered place. I am drawn to scents that remind me of home, and that evoke positive memories. I can escape to these memories for a while, and leave the pain behind. Candles allow me to relive happier times, like baking cookies with my family, or drinking hot cocoa after building a snowman. Candles can also bring the scents of holidays to my home when I am unable to travel back to Wisconsin, and celebrate with my family and friends. Lighting a candle transports me to a cancer-free point in time. What more could I ask for?
I have been fortunate to discover certain comforts that take me away from the harsh realities of life, and allow my mind to remember all the wonderful things life has to offer. A few other simple pleasure I indulge myself in are; hugs, warm blankets, hot showers, the unconditional love of pets, laughing with family/friends, and waking up to a brand new day. Since being diagnosed with cancer I make sure to revile in these simple pleasures longer, and more passionately. One day, I will no longer be able to enjoy these things, so I am going to embrace them while I can.
The children struggling with serious illnesses often tell me about their pain, and how uncomfortable life in a hospital is. It breaks my heart to hear the kids living without the comforts of home. Ever since I starting visiting the children at the cancer center in Syracuse, I have heard the same complaint. The kids hate their room. I can't say that I blame them. The room has pale gray walls, dark gray floors, and plain white window coverings. The only color in the room is on the beds. Each child has their own linens, but other than that the room is, for lack of a better word, gloomy. I knew I had to do something to change that. I asked the hospital administration if I could paint the walls, or let the families paint the walls. I was shutdown in my request, but I came up with another idea. I asked if we could tape drawing paper to the walls. I told the hospital staff that I would take responsibility for maintaining the art wall if they approved it. I must have presented an offer they couldn't refuse, because I was granted approval for the mural. I talked with the maintenance staff, and early this morning they applied drawing paper to two of the walls in the children's room. They put up the materials while the kids were at their respective treatments. I was immediately notified when the walls were all set up. Before the kids went back to there room for the afternoon, I snuck in. I laid out markers, colored pencils, water colors with paintbrushes, and crayons, along with a note. The note read: These supplies are all for you guys to make your new art wall! I had previously informed the parents of what I was planning, so they could help the children design their mural. After my treatments, I went down to contribute a special little "Meg touch" to their work of art.
I am so glad that the kids could express themselves in their temporary home. Seeing all of the kids giddy with excitement for their new art project, warmed my heart. It was a joy to watch them drawing all of their favorite things on the wall. They could finally have the comforts of home in their hospital room.
The biggest change has been in my wardrobe. Most fabrics make my skin crawl. It is an absolutely awful feeling, so my clothing options have greatly decreased. Most days, I feel like a slob because my fashion has been reduced to clothing only made of 100% cotton. Make-up has become obsolete, and my jewelry is minimal. I feel like a big, puffy blob of cotton-covered cancer. The image is disturbing, I know.
Over that years, I have learned what types of things comfort me. I do my best to surround myself with the items that lift my spirits, and make me forget about daily struggles. The single most impactful product I have found is; the candle. I know it may sound weird, but lighting a candle, and filling my surroundings with delightful scents, brings me to a calm, and centered place. I am drawn to scents that remind me of home, and that evoke positive memories. I can escape to these memories for a while, and leave the pain behind. Candles allow me to relive happier times, like baking cookies with my family, or drinking hot cocoa after building a snowman. Candles can also bring the scents of holidays to my home when I am unable to travel back to Wisconsin, and celebrate with my family and friends. Lighting a candle transports me to a cancer-free point in time. What more could I ask for?
I have been fortunate to discover certain comforts that take me away from the harsh realities of life, and allow my mind to remember all the wonderful things life has to offer. A few other simple pleasure I indulge myself in are; hugs, warm blankets, hot showers, the unconditional love of pets, laughing with family/friends, and waking up to a brand new day. Since being diagnosed with cancer I make sure to revile in these simple pleasures longer, and more passionately. One day, I will no longer be able to enjoy these things, so I am going to embrace them while I can.
The children struggling with serious illnesses often tell me about their pain, and how uncomfortable life in a hospital is. It breaks my heart to hear the kids living without the comforts of home. Ever since I starting visiting the children at the cancer center in Syracuse, I have heard the same complaint. The kids hate their room. I can't say that I blame them. The room has pale gray walls, dark gray floors, and plain white window coverings. The only color in the room is on the beds. Each child has their own linens, but other than that the room is, for lack of a better word, gloomy. I knew I had to do something to change that. I asked the hospital administration if I could paint the walls, or let the families paint the walls. I was shutdown in my request, but I came up with another idea. I asked if we could tape drawing paper to the walls. I told the hospital staff that I would take responsibility for maintaining the art wall if they approved it. I must have presented an offer they couldn't refuse, because I was granted approval for the mural. I talked with the maintenance staff, and early this morning they applied drawing paper to two of the walls in the children's room. They put up the materials while the kids were at their respective treatments. I was immediately notified when the walls were all set up. Before the kids went back to there room for the afternoon, I snuck in. I laid out markers, colored pencils, water colors with paintbrushes, and crayons, along with a note. The note read: These supplies are all for you guys to make your new art wall! I had previously informed the parents of what I was planning, so they could help the children design their mural. After my treatments, I went down to contribute a special little "Meg touch" to their work of art.
I am so glad that the kids could express themselves in their temporary home. Seeing all of the kids giddy with excitement for their new art project, warmed my heart. It was a joy to watch them drawing all of their favorite things on the wall. They could finally have the comforts of home in their hospital room.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
The life of a 20-something cancer patient: So Very Thankful
The life of a 20-something cancer patient: So Very Thankful: Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I have so many reasons to be thankful, but today I was given a very special reason to be thankful....
So Very Thankful
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I have so many reasons to be thankful, but today I was given a very special reason to be thankful.
As I entered the children's floor at the cancer center this morning, I was greeted with overwhelming happiness and love. The children, and their parents had a wonderful gift for me. Two of the kids ran to me, grabbed my hands, and led me into the community room. They sat me in the "special" chair and told me to wait there. I sat there anxiously waiting for my surprise. The children, and their parents began filling the community room. I found it strange that so many families were at the hospital during normal working hours, but I didn't question it further. I was excited to see what the special occasion was. As the families filed in, I notice each family was holding a piece of paper. Once everyone was in the room the offering began. One-by-one the children showed me their papers. The families had individually made a drawing for me to show how much I have impacted their lives. As each family presented their picture to me, my heart grew warmer. Naturally tears of joy and gratitude began streaming down my cheeks. After all of the families were finished presenting their drawings, the parents collected the papers, and bound them all together into a picture book. They told me that children wanted me to have a piece of them with me wherever I go. I took the book, and held it tightly in my arms. This is one gift I will cherish forever.
If that wasn't enough, the parents told me that they had another present for me. All of the kids, and parents had come up with a t-shirt design for a booster campaign. They wanted to sponsor a fundraiser for me to help out with my medical bills, and traveling expenses to Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. Nathan's parents (Nathan was the inspiration for Superhero Day) shared the idea with the other children, and their families. All of the families were onboard, so they began brainstorming about the graphic for the t-shirt. After a couple craft sessions, the families were ready to bequeath the design to me.
A little back story... Last month, I sponsored a booster campaign, and designed a t-shirt for Nathan's family to help with their medical expenses. The fundraiser helped ease some financial stress for them, and they wanted to return the favor to me.
Nathan and his family gathered around to show me the t-shirt idea, and I was completely enamored by the amount of thought, and love that went into the design. The children and their families have all noticed, and commented on my tattoos. One of them always seems to stand out. The words Courage and Strength tattooed on my right forearm with the Irish symbol for courage always tugs on the heartstrings of those whom see it. I wear it proudly as a reminder to stay strong through each treatment and each setback, as well as, to remain courageous going into each new day.
The tears were again flowing as the family reviled the graphic for the t-shirt. Everyone knew it would be an emotional moment, and it would be difficult to get the words out, so they typed out why the choose the specific design. Nathan's sister scrolled down on the computer to show me what they had written.
It read:
The graphic design for this t-shirt was designed by children and parents that Meg visits at the Cancer Center in Syracuse, NY. The idea was sparked from the tattoo Meg has on her right forearm. The true spirit of the words Courage and Strength live within Meg. Her unwavering fight towards a cure for her cancer, and the support she has for her fellow cancer patients is awe-inspiring. Meg is the epitome of Courage and Strength! Her never-back-down approach to cancer, and her positive outlook on life is a gift to us all! We love you Meg!
We were all blubbering messes! Children, parents, nurses, and doctors were all gathered around. Needless to say, we all had a good cry, at one point, or another. Oy Vey!
Thanksgiving is next week, but regardless of what month it is, I have A LOT to be thankful for!
If you would like to see the t-shirt design, or would like to order a t-shirt to support my fundraiser, please visit www.Booster.com. The campaign is called: Hope For Meg (It may take a day for the campaign to get up and running).
Thank you
As I entered the children's floor at the cancer center this morning, I was greeted with overwhelming happiness and love. The children, and their parents had a wonderful gift for me. Two of the kids ran to me, grabbed my hands, and led me into the community room. They sat me in the "special" chair and told me to wait there. I sat there anxiously waiting for my surprise. The children, and their parents began filling the community room. I found it strange that so many families were at the hospital during normal working hours, but I didn't question it further. I was excited to see what the special occasion was. As the families filed in, I notice each family was holding a piece of paper. Once everyone was in the room the offering began. One-by-one the children showed me their papers. The families had individually made a drawing for me to show how much I have impacted their lives. As each family presented their picture to me, my heart grew warmer. Naturally tears of joy and gratitude began streaming down my cheeks. After all of the families were finished presenting their drawings, the parents collected the papers, and bound them all together into a picture book. They told me that children wanted me to have a piece of them with me wherever I go. I took the book, and held it tightly in my arms. This is one gift I will cherish forever.
If that wasn't enough, the parents told me that they had another present for me. All of the kids, and parents had come up with a t-shirt design for a booster campaign. They wanted to sponsor a fundraiser for me to help out with my medical bills, and traveling expenses to Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. Nathan's parents (Nathan was the inspiration for Superhero Day) shared the idea with the other children, and their families. All of the families were onboard, so they began brainstorming about the graphic for the t-shirt. After a couple craft sessions, the families were ready to bequeath the design to me.
A little back story... Last month, I sponsored a booster campaign, and designed a t-shirt for Nathan's family to help with their medical expenses. The fundraiser helped ease some financial stress for them, and they wanted to return the favor to me.
Nathan and his family gathered around to show me the t-shirt idea, and I was completely enamored by the amount of thought, and love that went into the design. The children and their families have all noticed, and commented on my tattoos. One of them always seems to stand out. The words Courage and Strength tattooed on my right forearm with the Irish symbol for courage always tugs on the heartstrings of those whom see it. I wear it proudly as a reminder to stay strong through each treatment and each setback, as well as, to remain courageous going into each new day.
The tears were again flowing as the family reviled the graphic for the t-shirt. Everyone knew it would be an emotional moment, and it would be difficult to get the words out, so they typed out why the choose the specific design. Nathan's sister scrolled down on the computer to show me what they had written.
It read:
The graphic design for this t-shirt was designed by children and parents that Meg visits at the Cancer Center in Syracuse, NY. The idea was sparked from the tattoo Meg has on her right forearm. The true spirit of the words Courage and Strength live within Meg. Her unwavering fight towards a cure for her cancer, and the support she has for her fellow cancer patients is awe-inspiring. Meg is the epitome of Courage and Strength! Her never-back-down approach to cancer, and her positive outlook on life is a gift to us all! We love you Meg!
We were all blubbering messes! Children, parents, nurses, and doctors were all gathered around. Needless to say, we all had a good cry, at one point, or another. Oy Vey!
Thanksgiving is next week, but regardless of what month it is, I have A LOT to be thankful for!
If you would like to see the t-shirt design, or would like to order a t-shirt to support my fundraiser, please visit www.Booster.com. The campaign is called: Hope For Meg (It may take a day for the campaign to get up and running).
Thank you
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