Please enjoy the seventh story in our series “The Loving Kindness Project”:
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 I sat in the medical office at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and got the news that cancer cells were active and that cancer was in the lymph nodes of my leg.I broke down in tears and found comfort in the arms of my son Carl and my nephew Runako. My mother Ernesta, Donna and my Doctors also offered invaluable support with prayers and words of comfort. Also, a special thanks to Lisa for all that she did for me.
This was a testing time for my family as we had to make adjustments financially, spiritually, socially and health-wise.
Financially, my family had to make some harsh sacrifices but with the assistance of some of the leading entertainers in Barbados we were able to raise some funds. The then Minister of Health, Donville Inniss and the staff of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital were supportive and provided pre and post counseling throughout the treatment. My nephew Adrian called daily and he was an inspiration. I will always be grateful to Chefette Restaurant Limited who also made a contribution.
Cancer Support Services became my family. Even now the literature, the lectures and the times of togetherness are timely in helping my family and I cope with the C word that many people fear.
Spiritually, I have grown closer to God; the church at Marchfield (Zion Pentecostal) has been an extended family.
While my diet had to change it was easy as I was never a big lover of pork or lamb and so to reduce meats and eat more greens was easy. Sometimes I still takes a little sweets but in moderation.
For the first few months, I was restless, the treatment gave me diarrhea, I had to cut my locks and I had numbness in the fingers- but I survived and I am grateful to all.The C word is nothing to fear. I am living. I am going about my daily chores with ease…Life is God’s Gift. Life must be cherished.
