Giving Away the Lavender Sachets

I went for my second chemo treatment yesterday and took a basket full of 16 lavender sachets each in their little boxes. When I arrived at reception I asked how many chemo-ites would be there today because I didn’t know if I’d made enough, and explained that I’d made a little gift for each person. I opened them up to show her, and she was so delighted that she called all the nurses within earshot and they loved them too – they were all quite overwhelmed that I should have thought of doing such a thing, and had actually made everything myself. I must say I wasn’t expecting such a good reception for my idea!

I sat in the room where everybody was sitting and handed round the basket for those in that section, and they were all thrilled. I explained how I’d got the idea, from my friend Maria who had sent me such a gorgeous quilt to comfort me during my chemo, and then one of the nurses volunteered to distribute the others to the treatment room where one lady was occupying a couch, and the other bay of the treatment area. I was delighted to go home with an empty basket! I had made exactly the right number.

One of the nurses, a tiny petite lady from the Philippines who rejoices in the absolutely gorgeous name of “Precious”! – was particularly thrilled with what I had done and was quite moved. I certainly never expected such a response! This lady amazed me by telling me she had two teenage children – she hardly looked more than a teenager herself and said that whatever she did, she couldn’t seem to put on weight – I could probably have got both hands around her tiny waist! She was an absolute darling. All the nurses on the unit are so lovely, and despite the seriousness of what goes on there, and the quite alarming number of people having chemo because cancer is so rife these days, there is a really happy atmosphere.

I met several lovely people having treatment with me, and will be seeing them again as most of them are on a 3-weekly cycle like myself, and others who come fortnightly I shall see every 6 weeks. They were all so friendly and lovely.

I have been thinking about what I might do next for them. A friend of ours who has been undergoing cancer treatment for a while has been emailing me and is convinced that there are “chemo angels” looking after us all – my best friend from Plymouth sent me a gorgeous little angel pendant for my birthday and angels have been on my mind quite a bit recently! I have decided to make some little chemo angels to give away, so I shall be looking for some art doll templates online. Another use for my plentiful supply of fabric scraps.

This time I’m not putting pressure on myself to get them completed by my next treatment in three weeks’ time, but will work on them at my leisure as and when I feel well enough.

Watch this space to see how I get on.

I’m not feeling so good after my treatment – things are definitely worse this time than last, as the effects are cumulative. I am finding it hard to type as I feel as if I’ve lost control over my shaky fingers and have to keep going back to correct typos! More news about the treatment itself on my Cancer Diary page.