Be Someone’s “Chemo Fairy”

Hello, friends. Here’s a great idea for your loved ones who are going through chemotherapy.

Two of my mom’s “fairies,” Miss Gayle and Miss Judy

We’d love to share with you this wonderful idea for your loved ones that may be going through chemotherapy.  We saw this in practice ourselves with the friends and colleagues of my mom Kathryn (our “Chief Inspiration Officer”), as she was going through one of several rounds of chemotherapy in her long battle with breast cancer.

Every day she went to chemo, which happened to be a Friday, there was a gift at her door when she arrived at home.  Some times it was little things, like cards or lotions or candles, and other times it was bigger things, like flowers or balloons or food. 

It was a wonderful gesture and made that day, which is particularly hard for patients, a little bit easier knowing there was something thoughtful waiting at home.  For most patients, even getting up the courage to go to chemo at all is quite an ordeal, for you know that you will be sick for days and suffer some mighty side effects.

At the end of mom’s chemo, they had a little “reveal” party.  What she thought was just a few friends was actually over 30 of her colleagues and friends who each took a turn to let her know that they were thinking of her.  They made a beautiful keepsake book with notes from all of the people who participated and photos of the items.  She treasured that book but more importantly, she loved and appreciated each one of those people.  It made all the difference in the world to have such unconditional support and loving gestures from the people who meant the most.

One of my besties (who lived out-of-town) would send a card every week that arrived on Friday, which I would get to open after my treatment.  She sent one for the entire duration of my chemo sessions, which was six months!  It was so great to come home to something hilarious or something sweet and made me feel so good to know she was thinking of me even if she wasn’t there (Shout out, BFF!).  It really takes so little to mean so much to someone going through such a challenging time.

If you have the chance, be someone’s chemo fairy.  The reward is so much greater than the effort.

-AK