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Emotional health after cancer: How are you doing really?
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: 17 hours ago | Replies (289)Comment receiving replies
After my cancer surgery, I was a hospital in-patient for 7 days and there was a minor procedure that needed to be done. The tech tried it twice and it didn't work; then the charge nurse ried it and it didn't work; then the PA tried it and it didn't work. Somewhere, during these 4 times, and I was terrified because the first time I was more or less ripped in a sensitive part of me and so I was apprehensive after that - some where, some time, a patient tech took my hand and held it during the procedure. She held it tight and she never let go. I was not alone. I loved her for the compassion she showed me,without a word or a hug, it was that hand that reached out and went straight to my heart. Bless whoever she was, because she has the soul of the caretaker and she understands us. Thank you my dear perfect stranger!
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@earscan- After my last lobectomy, one of my infusion needles was very uncomfortable. It was an antibiotic and I had to have it replaced. Several male interns couldn't reinsert the IV. When the 3rd one started to try I told them, not one more needle goes in my arm. Finally, the female intern came in and did it in a blink. She had turned it into fun and got me out of exploding! I really liked her a lot. We women just have a way!
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@earscan, sometimes those smallest gestures can have the largest impact. Thank you for sharing this moment! You’ve certainly gone though so much with your cancer and treatment. It’s frightening just having any type of cancer. We long for some moment of comfort and safe harbor during what can be overwhelming times, to say the least. It’s those little moments such as the tech holding your hand during the procedure which can give us the needed hope for the future. Empathy is a gift not everyone possesses.
My personal moment of inspiration was during a particularly dark moment in my cancer treatment. My night nurse whispered in my ear, “The only thing stronger than fear is hope.” I’ve later learned it’s a quote from a famous author. But since that moment, that quote has impacted the rest of my life. Where are you on your cancer journey? Are you in remission and doing well?