2nd. Best. Day. Ever!!!

Alright I've often been heard bragging about how I have the best friends in the world, but once again I'm going to repeat myself. Thursday was an amazing day for me and my family as I heard the disease is presently stable. Friday I had my Herceptin infusion, but it turned into something I completely did not expect. At all!

My bestie came with me during this infusion, but she told me she would just meet me at Tom Baker. I thought; ok. I had decided to make 20bags filled with lotion, Epsom salts, pen, notepad, lip balm, and a little Christmas card for patients undergoing chemotherapy. I remember what it was like to receive chemo around Christmas, and I remember how awful I felt during the holidays. Therefore, with all the good news, and feeling really well, I knew I had to do something. So I filled up my trunk and told my bestie I would call her when I got to the hospital so she could help me carry all the bags.

I waited in the parking lot for a while, and then my bestie showed up. She came with no coat and no purse. Firstly, it's flippin freezing out!! When I asked her she had an elaborate story about how she fell in the parking lot, and got dirty so she put her coat and purse in the car. She had some dirt on her pants too, so I believed her. Off we went to get my infusion, and it felt like it always did.

When I finally got called in, it was by one of my favourite nurses, Stephanie:) I consider her like one of my "people" as she's so similar to what many of my friends are like. She was chit chatting all the way, and then we bumped into one of my other favourite nurses, Catherine. Catherine, I will always remember as she was the first nurse I had when getting chemo the very first time I got diagnosed. Once again, one of those nurses that I consider like my "people." Easy to talk to, very sociable, and intelligent. These lovelies are phenomenal at getting my IV. They had never missed before. Well...up until this day! Stephanie it may not have been your shining moment this day, but I think it's because I jinxed you. You got blood return, so I wouldn't consider it an epic fail, let's call it partial success;) Therefore, when we finally made it to my chair, the curtain was pulled and I was kind of just hoping it wasn't a soiled chair. As she pulled the curtain I was completely, and utterly shocked!! There I was speechless, again, as the area had a red blanket on the chair along with over a dozen wrapped gifts with a poster indicating it was from my lovely friends from the Alberta Children's Hospital. Essentially, they created "21 days of Christmas" for me with a single gift I was to open everyday from now until Christmas. I can tell you I was beyond shocked. My friends have done so much for me and my family. I mean way more than I ever could have expected. I never expected anything more than what they surprised me with earlier this year. Yet, here I was once again completely and utterly shocked. Shocked at the fact that they still think of me, despite being off work since February.

I never expected anything from anybody, really. I completely understand that everyone has busy lives and families. Christmas is stressful enough having to buy things for your loved ones, and I mean they really didn't need to do this for me. However, my plastered smile from Thursday is still plastered on my face from the surprise and shock from Friday. There will never be enough words in the English language that can sum up how completely and utterly thankful I am for the amazing people in my life. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but I could never be able get through all of this without each and every one of you. My bestie and her beautiful family for always doing soooo much, my phenomenal nursing friends for always being there, my lovely oncologist for essentially keeping me alive and for always having time (despite the fact that I doubt he has much extra time but he's good at making it seem like he has all the time in the world), and all the lovely nurses at Tom Baker for all your continued kindness. Lindsey C, one of my other "top five" nurses wasn't there this past Friday, but I hope you know the difference you make in people's lives; you are amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I have absolutely nothing to complain about, and I hope everyone who has had such a positive impact on my life knows that I am forever grateful for everything. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, and I wish nothing but the best for all the wonderful people in my life!!!!! Love you all:)

This was completely clueless Judit, thinking I was being so sneaky with my small gifts for patients.

My bestie!! You are sooooo sneaky!! I swear Lex I think you could be a spy, except you're way too nice and caring, sooo... Nursing was definitely the right choice for you;)

Three of my lovelies!! Catherine, Stephanie, and Fiona. Missing was Joyce & Lindsey C. All the nurses are lovely, these just happen to be my favourite ones that's all. Obviously Nancy is also included in this list too;)

Not only were there gifts, but decorations and food!!! Feeling beyond blessed!

 

I required two wheelchairs to take all my gifts to the car!!!