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.
No comments:
Post a Comment