You are part of a lot of groups throughout your life. It could be sports teams, clubs, work groups, you name it. At one point in your life you are a part of something with other people, banded together over a certain reason or cause.
A group I didnt expect to be apart of what the family in the waiting room of the Oncology Radiation Office. Every day I go with my Mom to her radiation treatments. Radiation for her only takes about 10-15 minutes. Even with that short amount of time I have come to know the families that sit with me in the waiting room every day.
The very first day of radiation I sat in the office, a little nervous just like my Mom was. Once my Mom went back an elderly woman started talking to me. She introduced herself and the first thing she asked was about my Mom. One thing Ive learned from this cancer journey is that the first thing you do with others is exchange your cancer story. It sets the tone of the conversation, what to talk about, what not to talk about, or even if talking is an option.
She told me about her husband who was in the back with my Mom. They lived on a farm and they had all of their grandchildren living with them at the time. The first thing that popped into my head was, "Hey, those are more kids effected by cancer, just like me and my siblings". We talked for a while, about our lives. It was almost a distraction from what was going on in the back. A few minutes later my Mom came out and we left. I still dont know that woman's name, but we talk every time we are both there.
Another day I met a woman who was waiting to be called back into the radiation office. Like usual, we exchanged cancer stories. She has the rarest form of breast cancer and only has a few years to live. There I was sitting in the waiting room waiting for my Mom to come out. She is almost done with radiation, her last big step in her battle with cancer. In that moment I was grateful for the cancer that she had.
I saw so many faces walk in and out of those doors. I talked to wonderful people and was inspired. I laughed and I cried. I realized that this "cancer group", this "cancer family" that I was now a part of might be the strongest one yet.
It doesn't matter who has the cancer or what stage. There's a connection between people and families of cancer. We know what it's like, and we know the journey is long but we must always stay strong.
