So sorry to take so long with the post you've been waiting for. My journey with cancer is not over yet...as I continue to struggle with illnesses that last 6 weeks or longer and upcoming knee replacement surgery. The bones in my knee have "died" due to lack of circulation to the joint as a result of the medications I have been on through chemo, bone marrow transplant and beyond. Without further ado...
Ingredient #2 of Survivorship = Great support system
My daughter, Cassie, my Sister & Donor, Amy, and myself after the transplant
What is a support system? I believe it is made up of friends
and family who stand by you during your journey, whatever that journey may be.
Let's start with family....
Family stands by you through thick and thin. When I was
going through treatments for Leukemia, my husband was there in my hospital
room, 95% of the time. There were times when I was sleepy and said "just
go home, no need to be here when I'm not awake." But he stayed anyway. He
had the extremely difficult job of telling our three children that Mom had
Leukemia....yes, cancer. I really don't
know what transpired during that conversation....all I know is that they didn't
talk to me about it very much. Out of fear maybe? They had never seen me in the
hospital before let alone with a bunch of wires in my arm, attached to a chemo
pole. Only one of my children was old enough to drive at the time, and she
visited me on her own when she could. Otherwise, Dad would bring them to see me
all together. They'd visit for a short while and then run off to the cafeteria,
tour the hospital taking pictures, etc. We'd chat on the phone every few days
and text, too. As kids do (between the ages 10-17) they world revolves around
them, and I was good with those distractions. They visited because I NEEDED to
see them and be with them. Even if they were quietly watching TV in the room, or texting their friends on
their cell phones.
My father came to visit with my step-mother for the FIRST
time ever since we became a military family. Years of emotional separation were
healed on that visit. My brother and sister came, too, and my Aunt took over as
caregiver for 10 days while my husband went home to round up our kids from
friends of the family. My best friend was there for me via phone. My Mom even
traveled 1,500 miles to "help" me when she was going through
treatment herself. She literally was vomiting outside JCPenney's while we were
out shopping for curtains for my new house. She didn't care....it was all about
me and taking care of her daughter, like Mom's never fail to do...even when
their children are 40+ years old.
Being a career Air Force family, we lived many miles from
family. That is where my friends stepped in right at the day of diagnosis. My
children's best friends parents graciously offered to take in the kids while I
was sent two states away for treatment. For how long? no one really knew. They
did it anyway. And they also arranged for the kids to get together to see each
other as they all went to different schools. Of course, there are no words to
describe the gratitude I feel toward these friends even to this day. They held
our family together when we as parents needed it most.
Me in my 7th floor room at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
I used to teach Art in a variety of settings before my
diagnosis. I was also Cubmaster for our Cub Scout Troop. The nurses claimed that
I had the "best decorated room" on the 7th floor of the University of
Nebraska Medical Center. It was true....the teachers and parents that I had worked with all sent tons of get well
wishes, paintings, drawings, photographs, etc. and I adorned my room with them
all. Those drawings made me smile each and every day for the 100 days I was in
the OSHU. My daughter's boss at a local coffee shop initiated a fundraiser as
well as my youngest child's school, to help offset costs. Cards and letters from supporters and well-wishers were always posted on the walls to keep me smiling.
In addition, I signed up for www.caringbridge.org, to keep
everyone in touch. Friends of friends I have never met sent me messages and
prayers. My family's friends put me on their prayer chains and still ask how I'm
doing even to this day.
So, to recap the first two ingredients of Survivorship:
#1
- a great medical team and
#2 - a great support system.
Stay tuned for the #3 ingredient....
Blessings to you all,
Lisa Lathrop
Owner/Artist
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