One of the highlights of being a child recovering from cancer, is that there are amazing organizations there to support and lift you up through your ordeal. At the beginning there are the Child Life workers who meet you upon your arrival to the hospital, and who work to make sure you have things to do in the hospital during treatment, and who provide you with a computer, ipod, movie, xbox etc. to entertain you in your bed. There is also the teen lounge and Ronald MacDonald Room to steal away to if you are lucky enough to get out of bed. Michellie did not have this privilege, but David and I did enjoy hospitality during Christmas in the Ronald MacDonald Room. One program sponsored by a family who understood the overwhelming feelings of the inital stay in the hospital has implemented a pajama program. New arrivals all receive a soft pair of pajamas to enjoy, rather than the glorious gowns at the hospital. Michellie was lucky enough to receive 2 pairs of pajamas, and they were so uplifting both times. We tried to give back in a similar way. Michellie and I autographed many copies of "Stacey on the Keyboard" books which are given to children 9 years and under to help entertain them during their stay. These are being given out on the oncology ward and on the children's ward.
There is also the quilting program. Michellie received a small receiving sized blanket on her first visit to add some color to the bed and cheer her up, then she had Lori O'Brien gift her the most amazing quilt to match all the colors in her room. It is so soft and warm. Michellie carried that blanket to every treatment to cover her, and she protected it from harm during her most violent moments with the chemo. Nothing would be able to get on that blanket, no matter how bad Michellie felt. These blankets have given Michellie great smiles and warmth through everything.
Michellie has been able to connect with other teens enduring treatments for various illnesses through various teen websites. This has allowed her the opportunity to share with others, meet new people, and to understand how lucky she has been with her diagnosis, treatment and recovery. She has really enjoyed her time connecting with emails. As well, the classmates from Dalbrae have been outstanding. There have been cards, gifts, fundraising, wishes, texts, and visits. This has all made it possible for her to stay connected to her new friends and still feel a part of the school activities. Her teachers have been so open and understanding as well, and they have provided her with opportunity to adjust her projects and assignments, and to include some of the things she has learned through this experience.
On May 2 Michellie will be able to join 3 other teens with cancer on an incredible trip to Washington DC. She is very nervous about being away from us, and travelling on her "own", but she is excited to be able to escape from us and meet new friends. She is motivated by this trip to keep exercising and building up her stamina. She does not want to have to ask for a wheel chair to get around because she is too tired. Incentive is such a wonderful thing! She will be on this trip for one week and there is a nurse that volunteers to go with them. We are very grateful for this opportunity.
As well, Michellie was granted a wish with Children's Wish foundation. This wish is to go to Hawaii and swim with wild dolphins in a healing program. Many of you know that Michellie loves dophins, and she loves movies about them. We did swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove in Florida, but that was only a taste. Since MacKenzie no longer lives at home, she was able to choose a friend to accompany her on this voyage. Due to the nature of the trip and the healing component, she knew that the one most likely to understand all that would happen in the week would be her BFF Chelsie-Anne. This past week I had the privilege of carrying Michellie's surprise to Chelsie-Anne with a stop over in Calgary. Part of Michellie's trip included a special package from Black's photography and a camera to record the trip. Michellie was able to pass forward her own camera and some other treasures to Chelsie-Anne. In true friend's style, Michellie drew a picture book of the surprise for Chelsie-Anne to guess what was happening. Eventually over the phone the two connected, and MacKenzie, Chelsie-Anne's mom and I watched and snapped photos. What a beautiful moment. Michellie and Chelsie-Anne have lots to chat about now, and with the trip planned for November, there is some time to talk and dream before then. This is definitely incentive for Michellie to strive to be stronger, and to get her lungs working well for snorkelling and swimming. We will share more as this trip gets closer. Children's Wish has many other activities planned that Michellie will be a part of, and all of this is part of them helping children to find fun and happiness again, and to build memories to motivate and inspire them in their healing process. The Make a Wish foundation was also in our discussions, and although we did not have an opportunity to work with this group, we want to thank them and acknowledge the efforts of all those people who help support these groups and the differences they are making in children's and families lives.
Now that we are free to go out into the community again, and to socialize in groups, we are thrilled to be a part of the Hillsborough community. This group is planning a special dinner for us in the next month or so, and this will allow us the opportunity to connect with everyone, and to get to know our community a little better. We were just getting started with connections in the fall, and with our isolation in the winter, we had to put everything on hold. We are so excited for the opportunity they will also be providing us.
To give back to everyone, I would like to let everyone know that we are happy to share. It is through our research, everyone's experience, emails, healing prayers etc., that we have grown so much in these last few months. We know that there are many people who are needing help now too. If someone would like a resource, if there is a recipe, if a healing session is needed, if you would like to be added to our prayer list, please let us know how we can help you. The more we all share, the more we all have the ability to heal and repair quickly. I will be compiling some things that did not get to the blog and I will be posting these items so that others may be able to benefit from the knowledge. Please ask if there is something you are looking for.
In the meantime, we are grateful to all those people who take the time to help, support, fundraise, create, build etc. opportunities for dis-eased individuals, so that they can be supported and focus on their own healing. Laughter, fun, friendship, opportunities and memories are all a part of motivating ourselves to heal, and we thank everyone for the opportunities that they create to make such events happen.
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