Some Lightness

In navigating all of these medical treatments and appointments, we have found so many caring, helpful people to help us through it. From the very beginning, we've felt treated with care.

In the ER, the nurses had to insert an IV as she was being admitted to the hospital. They talked my daughter through the procedure, let her feel the different devices, and then distracted her while they poked around her veins. Then, they brought her art kits and card games to help pass the time.

The first time we met our oncologist, he sat with us in the hospital for an hour talking through research and therapy options, medical trials, and next steps for our daughter. He was kind to her and answered all of her questions.  

The Saturday before her surgery, doctors on the floor brought my daughter a sausage biscuit and bo' rounds for breakfast because she told them Bojangles is her favorite restaurant. These are people we only saw a few times who did what they could in that moment to make something scary and uncertain a little lighter. 

Now that she is getting daily radiation treatments and weekly appointments in clinic, we see so many of the same faces. 

We have a child life specialist at every appointment who pops in to see how my daughter is doing. She found out that my daughter likes making up jokes, so she brought her a notebook to write jokes in and a joke book she found. Every appointment they share jokes. The other nurses and doctors ask to hear jokes as well. 

The radiation techs ask my daughter questions about her hobbies. They brought in a speaker from home so that she can listen to music while getting her treatments.

The nurse navigator asks how we are doing and they truly want to make sure that we have the resources we need to get through everything. 

And just yesterday when we showed up for radiation, the social worker gave her a brand new iPad she can take to appointments. We have experienced truly amazing displays of kindness and care throughout this entire journey from people who go beyond what they have to do. 

I was reading a post by another mom whose child has brain cancer. She wrote:

Every day, countless families are thrown into the similar turmoil, whether through cancer or another illness. The grief, guilt, and regrets are universal. To our small yet vital community that has protected us, I ask you to help others connect as well. Together, we can navigate this side of humanity with grace.

The world is kind because we choose to make it so. People are kind because they want to be and because they can be.

In a moment where it feels like individualistic and cruel policies are winning, where babies are being ripped from their parents off the streets, and people are losing access to vital resources, we have to remember the power we have in being choosing to be kind. We truly don't know what the person next to us is carrying. 

Just a song

Langhorne Slim, "Mighty Soul"