If I had needed chemo on Christmas Eve

While it didn't happen, I knew that if my chemo was delayed this week that I would need to be getting chemo on Christmas Eve. Weeks ago I got to thinking about how bad it would be to be getting chemo on Christmas Eve -- celebrations with my family would be much more complicated and the chemo room was not where I was wanting to be. This was not the way I wanted to be celebrating... and probably most people in that room wouldn't want to be there either.

But as time went on I knew I didn't want to be a grumpy, Grinch-like patient on the eve of my Reason for joy. So I changed my attitude and prayed that God would make my body ready for chemo whenever He could use me. I wanted to radiate my joy and peace in Him in that chemo room.

Yesterday He did just that. And it was confirmed by my chemo nurse who told me that she didn't believe in coincidences and that a Higher Power had me sitting in that chair at that time to bring joy to the discouraged patient next to me. She called me her Christmas angel.

My plan had been to make up goodie bags for patients and staff and deliver them on Christmas Eve -- a little gift to others to encourage people who needed love and share the joy and hope that Christmas means to me. Even though yesterday wasn't Christmas Eve, some of the presents were handed out and it was so much fun to see the nurses and patients faces!

Below are the notes and contents of the different bags that were made up for the patients and staff:

Note For the Patients

Dear Friend,

 

While I don’t know your story, I am assuming that cancer has touched your life this year because of where you are sitting today. I am so sorry that you’re having to go through this… but I’m glad that you’re able to be here today and I hope that the chemo that you’re receiving will be life-giving with minimal side effects.

Please accept these little gifts for Christmas. I hope they bring a smile to your face, a little warmth to these cold days, and most importantly the knowledge that you’re not alone on this journey.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From Another friend (and her family) who has spent time in the chemo room

 

Christmas Chemo Care Package

(for the patients)

· A little ornament (a little sparkly goodness by which to remember this season)

· A note card (write a note to yourself for Christmas 2014 or to someone who you’ve really appreciated in 2013)

· Tissues (because the holidays can be emotional and hospital tissues are like sandpaper)

· Sudoku and Christmas Carol Pictures (sometimes we need something to occupy our time and distract us while we sit in those comfy chemo chairs)

· Antibacterial hand gel (Christmas holidays + seeing lots of people + lots of opportunities to spread good cheer & germs = a good reason for antibacterial hand gel)

· Tea (to warm you up & soothe your heart on our cold winter evenings)

· Ginger candy & candy cane (to calm nausea)

· Party blower (to toot your horn when you’ve finished chemo before Christmas… celebrate getting out of the chemo room!)

Note For the Chemo Staff

In all honesty, I certainly could have done without getting to know each of you this year… but as I didn’t have a choice in that matter, I am very thankful for the role that each of you have played in my life in 2013. Due in part to your involvement in my life, I’m able to be celebrating Christmas with my family this year (and this is something that I no longer take lightly).

Christmas has always been a special time of year for my family. Together we remember and celebrate the promise that Christmas has brought and the hope for a certain future. This is the reason why I am able to have joy in spite of my innumerable reasons for spending time with you.

Thank you for giving of your time, care & hearts to take care of me (and many others) this Christmas. Thank you for treating me as a patient and a nurse. Thank you for asking about my son and remembering which vein has a valve in it. Thank you for continuing on this journey with me. Merry Christmas!

To many more Christmases in the chemo room!

Krista (Xhevat & Matias)

Christmas Chemo Care Package

(for the staff)

· A little ornament (a little sparkly goodness by which to remember this season)

· A note card (write a note to yourself for Christmas 2014 or to someone who you’ve really appreciated in 2013)

· Tissues (because the holidays can be emotional and hospital tissues are like sandpaper)

· Sudoku and Christmas Carol Pictures (sometimes we need something to occupy our time and distract us while we sit in those comfy chemo chairs)

· Tea (to warm you up & restore your energy on our cold winter evenings)

· Candy cane (to calm your patient induced nausea)

· Biscotti (Cherry Rum // Gingerbread // Orange Raisin Almond)

· Chemo socks (cause sometimes it’s ok not to be too serious)

· Party blower (to toot your horn when you’ve finished chemo before Christmas… celebrate getting out of the chemo room!)

My precious boy helping me pack (or rather unpack) the goodie bags. He put the package of tissues into each of the patient's bags all by himself. While it took a lot longer, we it was a family effort.

Occasionally distracted by what was on TV but still wanting to be a part of the action!