We're In This Together...

I've always been a fixer, in need of helping others out as much as possible. It takes everything in me to walk away from a total stranger in need. There have been many occasions where John will have to tell me to keep on going, that there's nothing I can do for that person. I remember one instance in particular when we first moved to Sacramento and it was the middle of a very busy weekend day at the corner of Howe and Arden (that's an extremely busy intersection). There was a man who collapsed in the middle of the crosswalk. I screamed in the car for John to pull over, that we should help him. I ran as fast as I could, although I have no medical training and really didn't know what to do. He was convulsing and nobody was even stopping their cars! After calling for help and doing the best I could, he ended up being okay, but if John let me have my way, I would have accompanied him to the hospital that day.

Yesterday I went to my 9th treatment, ending my 3rd cycle...yay! Monica (my sister-in-law) accompanied me and we had an awesome time, as usual. Yes, I said awesome. Even during chemotherapy, we always seem to enjoy our company together. I'm truly blessed to have such a wonderful person as my sister-in-law. Monica has a heart of gold and wants to come to my next one too, even though I told her it's probably going to be about 4 1/2 hours again. She said that she didn't care if it was double that, that she wanted to come. I love her so much.

So we were finishing up treatment and there were only a couple patients left in the room because it was getting to be closing time and a lady walked up to us and said that she'd just started, that she loved my hat and wanted to know where I'd gotten it. This one was from Target and I told her all about it. I proceeded to tell Mary Ellen what to expect with the hair loss, all about the Cleaning for a Reason, and the Look Good...Feel Better programs, etc. After she left, I met Elizabeth who was having her very first treatment and seemed to have been there for many hours. She said that she heard me mention when my makeup class (Look Good...Feel Better) was, that she was scheduled for the same day! I'm so excited, I'll be able to talk w/her again too, in case I don't see her at treatment. It's fun to meet other patients who are going through the same thing, especially because she looked to be about my age. So far everyone I've met has been a bit older, they call me the "young" one. :) Wow, never thought I'd like that title so much! Anyway, just helping out those ladies made my day. Although they're going to find out eventually on their own, it was comforting somehow for me to know that they were going to go home with a little bit more knowledge and first had experience from another patient.

Whether the kids are going to be embarrassed the next time I walk up to a complete stranger and lend a hand when we're out shopping, or send John over to help a little old lady with some heavy groceries, I'm going to continue doing what I'm doing. It's me.

Live for today. Help each other out. Remember, we're all in this together.

Peace to you all ♥ Love, Genie