Flowers Received From Somebody Thinking About Me
When this whole cancer thing reared its ugly head and word began to spread around, I started receiving cards, letters, emails, gifts, flowers and all kinds of things. Good wishes were all around me and apparently friends and family all over the world were praying for me too. The phone was also ringing off the hook. It was just amazing to me that so many people wanted to find out how I was or let me know that they were thinking about me or maybe they just felt obligated to call. I don’t know.Anyway it was starting to get to be too much for me. Don’t get me wrong because God knows I appreciated every single call but it was really difficult to take the calls and repeat myself over and over about how I was feeling and how things were going and so on. It was draining. Plus I wasn’t sure that people were actually comfortable calling or that maybe they just didn’t quite know what to say or do. So I turned to technology for help. I decided to send out an email update to everyone in my address book including family, friends and colleagues. I thought that this way I could say it once and be done with it. If people chose to write back that was great because I could reply on my own time and when I felt up to it. If they chose not to reply then that was okay too and it gave them an “out” so they did not have to feel obligated to call.
So the first update I sent out was on September 8, the day after the first treatment. It went something like this:
Celebrating with Friends - 2005
Sent: Fri Sep 08 2006Subject: Update - First Chemo Treatment
Good Afternoon All - I thought I would pass on an update as I know some
of you are waiting to find out how my first treatment went yesterday.
Although it was a bit scary on the drive to the Cancer Centre because
the unknown usually causes a bit of apprehension, it was also a time to
realize that this is not the end of something but rather the beginning
of something. We are on the way to taking the steps needed to get rid
of this cancer so the drive to the hospital went from one of sadness to
one of being pumped up for a fight. So fight we will....
The treatment started at 2:00 pm and I was finished shortly after 4:00
and home in time for dinner. I felt great!! I had dinner, took the dog
for a short walk and then I played Yahtzee with Tasza and Grandma.
Afterwards we watched a movie. So, although everyone kept telling me I
was very pale, I felt really good. Today I feel pretty much like
normal. I sort of keep waiting for something to happen but I will go
one day at a time throughout this next year or so. Anyway, that's one
chemo treatment down and 7 to go!
Thanks to all of you for your many messages, phone calls, cards,
etc....They are all much appreciated and it warms my heart to know that
there are such wonderful friends and family members that care. I am
truly blessed.
So that's it and the next treatment will be September 28 - so until then
take care and enjoy this beautiful fall weather!
TT
This whole email thing was such a relief and gave me a connection to so many people in an uncomplicated way that worked for me. I've Been Thinking About You - London Beat