How Being Quarantined is Similar to Being on Chemo
I debated intensely whether or not to share this. Probably like most people, I’m not in the most joyful of moods. But in an attempt to share a flicker of happiness, here goes nothing…
Yesterday, March 19, 2020 was a big day for me…
TWENTY YEARS! Two sets of ten. Five sets of four. Funny to think I used to count down my rounds of chemo in the same manner. But now that defines how long I’ve been cancer-free. It feels strange, to be honest. It doesn’t seem that long ago. I think it is because those are some of the years that I remember the most vividly.
And now, two decades later, here I sit at home quarantined. I had other plans for this special holiday of mine - big celebratory plans involving city skylines, fancy cocktails, and a sparkly dress. But those plans have been put on hold, along with some others.
Being quarantined actually reminds me of when I was sick - because I had no immune system I could not leave the hospital/house as it was too much of a risk. Simply put, catching a cold would have killed me. (For perspective, COVID-19 quarantine is a cakewalk in comparison).
Perhaps mentally connecting the two is the universe’s way of whispering to me that this worldwide uncertainty won’t last forever, that we all can get through this. Maybe it’s a gentle nudge for me to also remember what got me through that grim and uncertain time. Outside of the treatment itself, it was the abundance of support and compassion that was given to me by family, friends, and complete strangers.
The lesson? Going out of your way to be kind to someone especially during a challenging time is sometimes all it takes to make that person feel like they can get through whatever they’re going through.
We are in some “strange times”. But we’ve made the world more complicated than it is. Rather than sharing opinions (even the ones expressed intelligently), maybe we should try sharing kindness...
Recently, many people, including myself, have had to cancel special and significant plans and events. I have had dozens of friends and family reach out to me, and I can’t thank them enough for their determination to put a smile on my face. It’s because of them, I know it’ll work out, even if I don't know how.
I know I’ll get to wear that dress - both of them.
