Monday, December 12, 2011

TRIO

This morning, I am relieved, baffled and pleasantly surprised.

My pleasant surprise comes in the form of a chemotherapy side effect. All of a sudden, I have no more underarm hair!! I mean, it has simply stopped growing. There may be 5 or 6 very soft blond hairs there right now, but considering I shaved 2 weeks ago, that is amazing! I see this as a great success! Now, if only it would extend to my legs, I would be in hog heaven.

I am still baffled, 10 days later, as to an exchange between me and one of my nurses at chemo last time. I asked him if I could have one of his wet wipes to clean up the crumbs from my cheese crackers that got on the side table to my infusion chair. He said, "Oh, no, no, no, you don't do that. I'll clean that up. You have cancer." Well, color me stymied. What did one have to do with the other? I said to him, "I have cancer, but cancer didn't turn me into a slob that can't clean up after myself." To which he said, "Oh, no, you're the patient. You just go."

He is a very nice nurse and I like him a lot, but he really made me feel small and condescended to. I mean, I have an illness. The illness does not negate responsible behavior. Since when does sickness get you off the hoof for simple manners? Well, thanks, I got that off my chest.....it has been bugging me for 10 days, and now I can drop it. But if it does happen again, I have my speech prepared.

And my relief this morning comes from finishing my booklet on healing last night, and it is ready to be taken to the print shop just as soon as I get done with this post. I am only having a few copies made right now. When my healing is complete, which I have faith in, I will add my own story and medical reports, and then make multiple copies. It is going to be so nice to have all the information I have gleaned this year in one publication. I hope God will use the booklet for His glory with others who are suffering from disease.

1 comment:

Cole said...

First of all, I completely believe God will lead your booklet into so many hands that need it!! I can't wait to see it all!

Second, no underarm hair IS a fabulous side effect!!!! =) Legs would be quite fantastic, but underarm hair is certainly a victory.

As for the nurse...I can only imagine the way some people 'expect' to be treated when they are going through chemo. You are probably the exception sadly. I can understand the way you felt though. You're Mary, not a 'cancer patient'. And in God's timing, nobody will be able to think otherwise.