I’m starting to feel weaker and pretty exhausted now I’m fully hypo.
I go into hospital for my radiotherapy and isolation, in just under 5 days.
There are more things to prepare than I thought. It’s not just about sorting a few paint splattered / bleach-ruined clothes, which can be thrown away after wearing.
The kindness of other people, has really come into play this week, and those acts of kindness, have meant SO MUCH to me.
There are 4 acts of kindness, that I want to share with you.
1. Maggies Centre
Bunny has been seeing a Cancer psychologist, who has explained my treatment to her, in a child friendly way. Our sessions with him were free at our local Maggies Cancer Centre, whom have also given us financial advice, as well as therapy sessions for the whole family. Not only has he explained my treatment to her, and why she cannot touch me, when I come out of hospital, but has also found ways for her to cope.
Together they made this…
It’s just like an advent calendar. It starts the day I come out of hospital and has 21 days on it. The three of us spent just over an hour, making it together and he even put chocolates in each day for her. She can have one a day and count down the days until she can cuddle me again. We’ve used the maximum time it will take, so that if we find the radiotherapy leaves my body quicker than expected, it will be a pleasant bonus for her, when we announce she can cuddle me again.
It means a lot to us, that Maggies centre gave us easy access to a psychologist and that he went above and beyond the call of duty, to help Bunny understand and accept, what was happening to our family.
2. A good friend
My friend and neighbour, Azaria, whom is already a busy lady, took the time out of her day yesterday, to bake me a focaccia bread with no salt, which was safe to eat on my low iodine diet. I have really been missing bread, but nearly all breads contain salt, so I had to rule them out. What with having to make my own stock for sauces and my own almond milk for breakfasts, as well as cooking all my meals fresh and from scratch, breadmaking is not something I had any energy left for.
Azaria spent time talking to me about what I liked and what I was allowed to eat. Then she knocked on my door yesterday, with two different focaccia’s (garlic and rosemary, and mushroom and red onion) – still warm from the oven! I’ll be honest – they were so nice, I scoffed half of one straight away, as it was! I had the rest of one today with baked plum tomatoes and balsamic, for lunch. It was a real treat and has been so nice to have bread!
3. My amazing mum
My mum doesn’t live near me, but we are very close emotionally. Yesterday I got a surprise parcel from her, via the postman. I had no idea what to expect. I’ll be honest, I thought it was going to be a pair of pants I’d left at her house, or something along those lines!
It was this:
She had sent me things I could take into isolation with me. Things of use, some that I needed, and some to cheer me up. Things that could be thrown away – as I am not allowed to keep anything I take in with me (as I will contaminate everything I touch, with radiation). But she had also taken the time to write me little heart shaped post it notes – which I am also going to take in with me.
The one saying “I love you”, had me instantly in tears.
I love you too Mum. Very very much.
4. Bloggers
I mentioned in a previous post, that there are a team of bloggers who have formed #EmmasArmy on Twitter. Two of them, Phil and Victoria, came up with the idea of #S2S2D – “Shoulder to Shoulder to Day” (“Day” is me by the way). They asked a while back, if any bloggers wanted to write posts for me, to cheer me up and show me support, during the time in which I am unable to touch my children (this could be up to a month!)
#EmmasArmy were swamped with responses from bloggers wanting to participate in #S2S2D. I am overwhelmed, that so many people care. Really overwhelmed. Over 40 bloggers are taking part! To the point that Victoria has had to draw up a rota of hosts to run all the blog posts. Other bloggers, who aren’t hosting, have also been invited to write posts and link them up, to what the blogosphere know as a blog-hop. (All the posts are linked up to one post – so you can hop from one to another and read them all).
These four acts of kindness…
… have made such a difference to my emotional wellbeing. I feel like I’m not going into this alone (although obviously I am in the physical form).
… show that people have thought about me, taken time to do something special for me, and all of them have made me both smile and cry happy tears simultaneously.
Thankyou all… for being you.
Linking up to:
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How nice of your mum and your neighbour. Those little notes made me cry!
Everyone is here for you x x x
jodie recently posted..Feeling a bit Hmph…
Another really inspirational post Emma. I’m so glad that you are getting support – and that Bunny has help too, I love what they have done with her.
Much love xx
pinkoddy recently posted..#Blogging4Madeleine Happy 10th Birthday
Thank you so much for the mention lovely, that focaccia bread sounds gorgeous, I love that advent calendar and your Mum sounds like an amazing support to you. I’m so pleased we’ve had such an amazing response and we are all looking forward to helping you through such a difficult time. Big virtual hugs xx
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted..Post Comment Love and Newbie Showcase – 17th to 19th May 2013
Well I was already crying by the time I saw the advent calendar. What an amazing post and what an amazing bunch of friends and family you have. You are a rich woman indeed.
I think I’m in love with your daughter’s psychologist…
The Brick Castle recently posted..Airbrushing Reality
Had me in tears,beautiful parcel from your mum…we will all be with you in your isolation ..god bless and think positive thoughts xxx
So glad you have people around you to support you. I hope the radiation clears quickly for you so you get lots of cuddles again soon xx
mummymakescakes recently posted..Conversations with my son
Hi, I’m a new follower and new to blogging. I just want to wish you all the best with your fight against cancer and recovery from the Radiation. Your story has really touched me. Good Luck Emma xx
One glimpse of that advent calendar and I was in tears! I’m so pleased there are people looking out for you and supporting you. I am honoured to be taking part in S2S2D – so much so that I wrote my host post ready yesterday! No doubt I will keep tweaking it! Hang on in there, will be thinking of you and will see you at Race for Life! X
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted..Saturday is caption day!
Oh that is lovely – the parcel from your Mum brought tears to my eyes too. It will be very difficult but all these wonderful things are really going to help. And I’m going to try my best to link a bright and breezy post to the bloghop to help you smile. That first cuddle – after the radiation is gone – is going to be the best cuddle you have ever had!! Sending love x
Helen Braid recently posted..Wash Day
What amazing work the Maggies Centre does, I had never heard of them, thank you for sharing all your thoughts, thinking of you and hoping these will be the quickest 21 days possible xx
awwww Emma, I know I don’t comment very often, but I have been reading your posts and thinking of you.
I will be taking part in S2S2D as well.
Lots of love, Emma xx
Emma recently posted..Which scooter to choose?
what a really beautiful idea to count the days down, its so thoughtful and your mums gift would of have set me off too!
Keep you chin up honey, i know this is easy for me to say, I cant cook but i can send cyber hugs x
Jaime Oliver recently posted..Active Family Month Challenge – Active Playtime
I am so glad you have a brilliant support network around you and your family hun.
I really hope the blogging community helps you get through your isolation period.
Sending you big hugs x x x
Laura Huggins recently posted..Weekend Blog Hop #1
Delighted to be a small part of the team of bloggers for S2S2D. You are never alone so long as we are all on line 🙂
Coombemill recently posted..Silent Sunday / Project 52
Good luck with your treatment and thanks so much for linking up your beautifully inspiring and heartfelt post to my hop.
I’m going to feature your link this Monday 🙂
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
Sarah recently posted..Super Handmade Sundays
Thankyou, that’s really kind. X
I may not get to post much but want you to know that I am thinking of you all through this. You are one incredible lady and an amazing mother. So lovely to see these RAOK that have started to come your way. The advent calendar is a wonderful thought and I hope that it helps Bunny along.
Take care and know that we are all here with you along the way
xx
Faded Seaside Mama recently posted..Silent Sunday 19/05/2013
Ohh wow Emma, what amazing people you have round you supporting you. I am so pleased about that.
I had no idea about radiotherapy and how it contaminates you.
Praying for you, for all the practical measures to go smoothly and of course mostly that this cancer leaves your body.
Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted..New Duplo Valley now open at Legoland Windsor
What a lovely post. I have only recently come across your blog but wanted to comment and wish you well.
Stephane recently posted..Joining in with Young City Reads – Password Emil!
Huge hugs, what a lovely bunch of people offering support xx
V recently posted..Victoria – New Fragrance from Victorinox
I wish you all the best and pray for your full and speedy recovery!
Hugs & love from
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
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