What’s Below the Surface?

Same but Different

Well, here I am. 

Two weeks into radiation therapy. Four to go. The first day was no treatment but simulation, to make sure the fields were correct and every thing was aligned properly. I admit I cried through it all. The team of technicians was so compassionate that I felt safe, even in my fear and grief. I even asked for an appointment with a cancer grief counselor since I could not stop crying.

Now, I have had 9 treatments, that last only 5 minutes each. Amazing. I see the same masked faces each time, so I am creating relationships, even in this altered universe. The parking lot attendant knows me already, and I feel a connection to her. She told me about her son that died two years ago.

The gentleman who has to ask about covid exposure each time and give a new clean mask and I have a bit of a joke together each morning; I say "no, no, no, no, no!" and stamp my foot and he laughs. Today there was a new man; he did not get my joke.

The other patients feel like family to me. Those of us in the women's changing area talk, share our stories, connect. I believe this helps us all. We feel less alone. We are Black, Asian, White, Hispanic, all dealing with same but different; and we are different but same!